It’s incredible how quickly even the most gifted artists can create an amazing depiction of Tanjiro. But even if you don’t think you have the skill or time to tackle a full-blown painting, learning the basics of drawing Tanjiro can still help you express your creativity, without hours of practice and dedication. Here’s a simple, yet effective tutorial that will have you creating a Tanjiro masterpiece in no time, without needing any special tools.
Start with Understanding His Body Shape
Studying Tanjiro’s facial features and postures can help you understand how his body is shaped, before you start sketching away. Pay special attention to the main details like eyes, mouth, nose, hair, neck, and clothing that show off his character. Taking note of how his arms and legs are positioned will also help you get a better understanding of how to draw his limbs.
Effective Expression with Gestures
Overly ornate or detailed lines are often useless in getting your point across with an illustration. You shouldn’t be too focused on details, or your drawing will look untidy. Instead, small, but purposeful gestures can express Tanjiro’s range of emotions in ways that are far more saying than if you drew details. An angry Tanjiro can have a delicate thin line to represent a tightened jaw, while a slumped over Tanjiro may only need a few simple curves to demonstrate a state of exhaustion.
Make Use of Layers
Layering shapes, textures, and tones can create illustrations that look incredibly real, without a single unnecessary line of detail. Each step builds on top of the last to create something masterful. With a simple combination of layers, it can be easier to draw complex shapes, like Tanjiro’s clothing folds, his hair, and his various facial expressions with fewer strokes. Start by sketching in basic outlines, then fill in details with thin layers of color or shading to create depth.
Shade and Highlight Strategically
One of the most effective ways to make your Tanjiro drawing stand out without getting bogged down in distracting details is by strategically shading and highlighting areas around his face, body, and posturing. Using a strong light source in one direction that casts an intense shadow on Tanjiro’s form will add a lot of dynamism and contrast to your drawing. Start by sketching out the shadowy spots and then fill in the lightest parts of the rest of his body to begin showing transitions from darker to lighter colors.
Keep Practicing
Drawing Tanjiro requires a great deal of patience, practice, and dedication. It’s essential to keep trying, no matter how many failed drawings you may have. Take each mistake as a learning opportunity and pay attention to what went wrong. Remember, the key is to use simple gestures, layers, and strategic shading and highlighting that evoke Tanjiro’s emotion and bring him to life on your page. With a bit of time, you can create a beautiful illustration that you can be proud of.
