Big eyes, exaggerated expressions and cute chibi characters are only some of the appeal of drawing anime. But before you launch into a drawing tutorial, it helps to have a few words of wisdom from a manga pro. To be a better manga artist, here are some essential, actionable tips — and some pointers on avoiding beginner mistakes.
1. Study Real Anatomy
Just like with any figure drawing, knowing a body’s anatomy is vital. You need to know how a real body is put together and how it functions — even though the shapes and proportions of manga characters are often exaggerated.
2. Find Reference Images
It’s tempting to skip this time-consuming step, but if there’s something you don’t know how to draw, go online and find a reference image. Look up poses, props, environments — your art will look so much better for it. Don’t try to draw something purely from memory, because you’ll miss important details.
3. Use Guidelines
Though some artists balk at them, guidelines are super useful. They help you quickly draw a pose, compare body shapes and sizes and avoid anatomy errors. Every professional — every professional — starts with basic shapes before drawing a character.
4. Don’t Copy
Studying your favorite artist shouldn’t turn into copying that artist — if you start copying as a beginner, you can easily end up mimicking the artist’s flaws. Instead, examine their art closely to figure out what parts you like, and why.
5. Be Open to Criticism
This is tough advice to follow because criticism can feel like a scolding. You don’t have to accept every critique as legit, but you do need to keep an open mind. The other person may have a valid point.
6. Be Skeptical of Praise from Family and Friends
People who love you will always say your artwork is perfect, but here’s the thing: they’re not being totally truthful. Sometimes, artists end up buying into all that praise and stop trying to improve. Always seek out people who’ll give you honest feedback and constructive criticism. It’s the only way you’ll grow as an artist!
7. Avoid Shortcuts
If you hate drawing hands, keep practicing! It’s too easy to hide ’em or just draw your characters from the waist up. It’s better to draw terrible hands and keep improving than to give up. With practice, you’ll get better.
8. Draw Different Kinds of Characters
We all have a certain “type” of character we like to draw and it can be easy to fall back on those drawings, whether it be a chibi, a pretty girl or a pretty boy. As you practice your anime drawings, it’s important to branch out and draw all kinds of people and characters. It’ll vastly improve your drawings overall.
9. Don’t Get Discouraged
It’s easy to start feeling down when you see other artists who are oh-so-talented. Before you start comparing yourself to others, remember: everyone has to start somewhere. Don’t let your peers make you feel bad about your skills; let them inspire you to improve.
10. Have Fun!
Improving art skills can be frustrating, but try not to let it get to you. Drawing should be fun. Just relax, do your best, and keep up with your practice.
So the thing they forgot to mention, and this is REALLY crucial, is to be consistent, i never got the most results, until i started drawing everyday, now. you don’t have to draw everyday to get better, but if you’re following most of the steps from above, mix it with let’s say, drawing 5 sketches within the week. you’re good to go!
Helpful
Hi, I’m Chloe, and I am a minor.( not gonna say my age) If you have any tips, or need help with art, I would be happy to listen! Discord me. Chez Paimon#2048
Hi guys! I recommend getting a how to draw anime or how to draw manga book. The one I have has lots of different characters in different series in them and has a step by step tutorial. I reccomend to draw different characters first, and then making ur own. It helps I promise!
Hi, i decided to draw comics.
Ive liked drawing for a very long time but i decided on getting better and taking art seriously just less than a year ago. Drawing characters is not a problem for me and i think that i am able to draw backgrounds and items too. But my art isnt really good yet so i would like to ask for a tip. Should i start drawing my comics now or should i practice some more before drawing it? Because i dont feel really confident in my art even though i know ive improved a lot in the last few months.
Just keep drawing and making whatever you want. I’ve been drawing Manga since around 2016 and there’s still things I can improve upon. Trial and error is the best way to learn and there isn’t such thing as “Good enough”. All you need is to feel confident for it to be good enough.
I think u should people will read your comic no matter the quality of art as long as the plot interests them and you’ll improve along the way
I started drawing anime at the age of 10 when we first started watching Demon Slayer, and, well, I’m 10 right now. These tips were helpful, but copying actually helps. I started off copying frames from epic fight scenes, and then after having “drawn” some characters, I kinda got the idea of what to draw and how to draw it. Comparing yourself to others and critizing your artwork also helps. I would like to add another tip: draw something your level and draw it good rather than draw something way to hard and have the end result be horrible. This helps because you wouldn’t be that easily discouraged and these drawings could be used to test your level and share with friends and family without being ashamed at the same time.
never mind
thanks! i think this helped
omg, helped me soo much!! tysm for this!
Your method of explaining is so well, I ,m so impressed keep providing in future
Tnx for this, the writer really know what to say and what those beginners problem. And what he/she was saying is really true and hearttouching. Ur advise is really helpful.
Hi guys, I’m Matthew, for short, Matt. I’d say I’m a decent artist, and I’m looking for tips and I’m giving off tips. My tips are to genuinely look at your art, and determine if it has anything out of the ordinary, since when I did art when I was younger, I never really detected the problem until someone pointed it out. It can be with the width of the torso, the size of the head, etc. If you’ve already detected the problem, I recommend focusing on the problem, and trying to fix it before anything else. I believe anyone can be good at art, no matter the talent or age. If you think you are starting late, then you just have to work harder! No such thing as being too late for drawing, unless you are on the verge of dying. 😆
I don’t have much more tips since I’m stuck myself, so I’ll be looking for tips at matt01#3284 on Discord. Thank you!
I started drawing 1-2 years ago, I’d say I’m decent but not quite ready for “good” level. Honestly, I’ve never noticed I was taking these shortcuts. When I was younger I always made my characters put their hands in their pockets since I sucked at hands. I feel a little discouraged sometimes since I get art blocks and can’t continue, and sometimes just quit doing art for a period of time. I feel as if I’m getting more distant from art, even though I’m getting better. Does anyone have any tips for progressing once you feel as if you can’t progress any further? If you want to contact me and look at my art currently, my discord is matt01#3284. I’m still in the progress of learning, and I’m looking for some proper feedback, don’t be afraid to criticize my art as I’m looking for tips and not praise. I wish you all good luck on your art journeys!
Matt
HELP ME I WANNA LEARN HOW TO DRAW
Mmm no
Hey guys! I’m Arieauna and I LOVE drawing. I’m 13 and I’m always drawing and finding ideas to do when I’m bored, so I start to draw! When I draw I feel… happiness, good vibes, and my brain is at ease. Thank you for reading this! <3 u guys!!
This is very helpful. Most of these things I have been doing but it’s still helpful. BTW 9 is the most important thing. Seriously ppl, over been drawing since I was little (though drawing anime is somewhat recent) and I’m still improving all the time and there are a lot of time where I utterly hate the way my drawings turn out. Still don’t give up. If you get frustrated walk away and come back later.
Making fun of your art work like “I hate drawing hair, i’m gonna quit drawing” is actually helping. #1 Don’ t quit
#2 You know you need to work on hair so look for ways to get better at drawing hair. Criticizing yourself helps you find what you lack in, when your drawing.
What do you mean its actually helping?
It doesnt work lier
Yeah sure..
Uhm, I hate being rude, but I know these things. I apply these things. I’ve been drawing with these in mind for two years now. I still suck tho
You’re actually not following 9 tho 😐
Um great website I guess¿
I need book
Hi, I have been drawing for two years but of course not professionally and my art looks terrible compared to everyone else, so what do I do? 13, Kat, Female
I’m 12 I can help you with drawing it’s pretty simple and fun when you get used to it kat
Hey Kat! Never give up and don’t compare your artwork. I’m 12 y.o.
I can help if you ever need it! Best of luck on your drawing journey Kat!
How improve my skills .
I am beginner
Give tips pleas
Watch a ton of tutorials and then find your style. Then, begin to put what youve learned in those tutorials together and create people and objects! 🙂
How improve my drawing skils
This is actually really good, I always come across VERY good manga/anime style artists and I stare at their art for so long and then just say “why is my art so bad! I really want it to be like that!” But like again, they all started somewhere .,.
This is amazing and helped my alot!
i dunno i guess this helps i was already fairly good but idk
this is good!
Wow I was so dumped into myself but when I read your advice, when I started drawing I was 4 but when I saw anime I was 11/12 in a half and saw anime artist drawing VERY GOOD so I wanted to draw anime very good but I would woes mess up and just give up, and I have a girl cousin that she draws… I can’t say its good but she doesn’t cara what people say about her drawings and that are very….unlikeable but shes my family and I have to respect that so I keep my mouth close, but that’s not the problem its mine, in my mined I think that I’m very thrash at art and I just stop drawing for weeks but every time I start draw anime say its going to nice but then its terrifying then Joe Biden, so after I read this article I was motivated to start drawing my own anime, becuase long story short I copy lost of things online. 13years old, female, name Elisabeth.
Girl I was the same when I was your age my brother used to make fun of my art work, and I believed him so I just gave up, but then my mom saw me so sad she told; “me don’t listen to my brother he’s just jealous of you that you try better then him because you don’t give up on yourself, because people who achieve get tp succeed” after that I stop listening to my brother and started to succeed so I thank my mom for that advice but know shes gone, that’s why don’t stop trying. 40years old, female, name Ava.
Same. And I’ve been self conscious about my art before I started actively showing it to others
Hi, we basically have the same story. It’s kinda weird but cool! 13, Female, Kat To Elisabeth
keep the good work up hi im 8 years old i love itsfunneh an i like mincraft and yes im a girl
it is not relly good tips im a grate
Hello!
I’m 22 years old and i like drawing, i started to draw since 2018 and i’ve wanted to become better at drawing!! How can i draw the body the pose that i want!! I like Naruto and i want to draw him very well like the anime, can someone help me?
I want to find my own style and i want someone to tell me the right steps to start practicing and learning until i can draw alone.
Thank you!
kepp it up
Try anatomy guidelines.:)
I’m 19 this year and I wonder if it is too late to start learning to draw from scratch. Many illustrators I know started in their middle school. I just really want to draw but I feel I lack creativity and I will end up nowhere. Man, it is so good to be talented.
It is never too late to start learning. You can do it any time, if you wanted to start then just do it. Even though people consider artists as talented, most of them probably just spent a lot of time practicing and polishing their skills.
Hello!!
I’m the same as you!! When i saw some before after drawings in YouTube i found that they all started when they’re young! I keep thinking that i’m just starting to learn drawing!! Can i get to that level!!! I’ve been drawing from year 2018 and i still can’t draw the good anime characters that i want😅
Sorry for the sudden replay!!
its never to late!! i started drawing rlllllyyyy late but got kinda good at it from just doodling in my spare time, now im trying to improve obviously
That was helpful thanks who made this
You all can use box and rectangles for start to lay out its easier
Thanks 😊
I really wanna draw some cute anime chracters but i have never even drew one. I have been drawing and editing shading,hair shading,And line art for the past 2-3 years but thats really it.
I really want some help with anime I draw the heads too big and the upper body too long I think that is because I drew lots of chibi cartoons before I started with manga I just…
rando question…. wanna start a mha fanart club deal thingyyyyyy
thnx my parents and friends always say my drawing is beautiful although my hands look like hopless blobs
I always copy and I don’t care
Thanks for some other informative web site. The place else could
I am getting that type of info written in such a perfect manner?
I’ve a undertaking that I’m simply now running on, and I
have been at the look out for such info.
Hmmm I am horrible at every thing, I am a digital animator that is just trying to get better at drawing, that is my only weakness, Seeing other people work of art just makes me doubt myself. I try practicing but nothing works, it only gets worce. When i saw manga characters i was like ” im gonne keep doing it. but that dosent work. I bad at, Hair, Hands, Body, etc. And I know what your gonna say. “your a beginer so just keep going at it. Im not even that much of a beginer. pls help me
Hey! Don’t feel too bad – I fully relate to that… Find new ways of drawing guidelines… like for example if you draw sticks and circles for your guidelines, use separated shapes like triangles, rectangles and ellipses. Find ways that other people draw guidelines and hands and bodies, and try to copy their process and find what works for you. Alternatively, you could mash a few up and try that.
Thanks for the tips I will definitely be using them in my art lessons
thanks for the tutorial! it really helped me with my anime! (add shading in people might need it!)
Hi, My name is Makaela but I’m only 12 Hi, and i really want to know how to draw
Hi Makaela, my name is Ariana, i am 12 too, and i love to draw so much, how much experience do you have with drawing?
Hi I’m also 12 and I really like drawing anime but I cannot draw from memory , I draw MHA charters
Hi I’m also 12 and I really like drawing anime but it’s also soon frustrating when I can’t get it right
Hi I’m Qila and I’m 14 turning 15 – I love animes like MHA/BNHA and Haikyuu. If you have discord, I’m ChuuniDisease#6742 and I would be happy to draw with everyone or help you guys with drawing!
I’m 12 and I love to draw anime and watch anime: specifically MHA.
Hi, My name is Ariana but I’m only 12, I love drawing so much and I only just discovered my love in manga drawing about a year ago. Since then I bought many drawing books on manga. My problem is, i got a drawing book full of my manga drawings but most are copied by a step by step drawing book. I tried doing one without looking at the book but it wasn’t as detailed and there was no story about it. I keep on practising but I’m worried that if someone sees one of my ”practice” drawings they would thin i am a bad drawer. I don’t want to put all my practice drawings in my book because i want my book filled with “good” and detailed drawings. I hope someone can reply to me and help, one day i want to grow up being an amazing painter and drawer and hope some of my art would go into a gallery.
– Ariana
Stop looking at the steps try finding your own style not other people style when you draw as I said many times focus on your shaps that’s the most important thing plus detail doesn’t matter you add detail at the end as you see fit try drawing the same head after head over and over until they look the same plus when you draw don’t worry about messing up and going to erase it just go along with it and keep drawing the charter the hard thing about drawing manga is drawing the same charter again so keep trying even when you mess up!
Good luck tell me if you need more tips!
Rafael.
Hi
All i wanna say is… keep improving like me and find your own art. Anddd dont do anything that make you to give up. Like showing it to your dad (if your a boy), believe me you will not get any support. Atleast its my dad but i had a few things that told me to not do that anymore. Bye!
I will be working on The rising of the shied hero anime for about 3 months so if you have a question ask. This is the last day I will be here to answer questions I love answering this but I have to go back we have to meet our deadline.
when is The rising of the shield hero session 2 coming out?
October 2021 on Crunchyroll.
I was wondering if it were possible for you give me a few virtual lessons (prefer them being free, but I’m more than okay with paying) with on the fundamentals? Though I believe I have a basic understanidng on them, I wish to see the difference in how I approach these skills/principals as to how a professional does.
Sure it’s free how can I contact you?
Sorry for not responding sooner, it had been a while since I checked this page. You could contact me using the email: limitlessdelta@gmail.com
Hi Rafael, I think it’s cool your working on some anime. I wanna ask, what are some mistakes decent drawers make, since I think my art is actually really good, but whenever I compare with other anime characters (Luffy, Ichigo, Naofumi, etc.), I always can’t seem to find the problem with my art, I know I lack shading and other things, but I always look for one particular problem and I can’t seem to put my finger on it. Do you have any tips, and if so, can you give me something I can message you on. If you have discord, contact me at matt01#3284. I can show you my art, and if you can show the mistakes I make, then please tell me. And besides the problems, can you tell me what you do for your art, and show me some things people are looking for? I’m grateful for your tips around the comment section, by the way. I’m gonna try to put these tips into action tomorrow!
If you see this message, please reply though. I want to pursue my goal of being a professional artist, thank you!
I can’t even draw the right shape of head! My forehead is so tall (lol) and could I have some advice? I look so dumb compared to the professional drawings I look online. I watched a video called ‘A Day in the Life of a Japanese Manga Creator’, and the drawings look so cool in the workshop. He even has a wall that is a chalkboard, and it is full of impeccable manga drawings. I wish I was better…😔😔😔
I’ve tried like a million times to get everything right, but I get no better than a noob. *Sigh*
Hey man, Before I became a professional artist and make thousands off of animes. I had to draw at least 4 hours a day! I was not good at making heads or bodies at all like my little brother could draw better than me. And that was frustrating that nothing would come out the way I like it but 7 years ago when I was 14 I found out my problem was my shapes weren’t right and that the most important part of a drawing. So I went and practiced my shapes noting too advanced circles and squares 3d shapes straight lines and all that then I started to draw just the frame of the body as they said also if you can buy one get a Mannequin Woodman human there like $7. Then when I got good at that I started to do heads and then the body. Man, I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to give up but I didn’t. I know that this may sound crony but practice makes perfect. If you still don’t get it to respond to this and I will give you free zoom lessons I love helping new artists.
Rafael.
I feel embarrassed a little, replying to you twice, but it really is interesting replying to a professional artist! I don’t think I would consider myself as new, maybe? I’m trying to become a professional artist, and I don’t think I can without some tips from a professional themselves! I really want to make some sort of comic or show with my art, and I don’t know if I can.
If you reply, I’ll try to think of a few things that could lead to mistakes, but otherwise, thanks for the tips!
My discord is matt01#3284 if you have discord, if not, please tell me if I can contact you in some way.
I think this will really help me in the future, because I’ve been very frustrated with my drawings.
good keep trying
Can you give ideas for clothes?
when you refer to manga/anime the clothes don’t have to be perfect but they do have to have creases in them grab a shirt or pants or whatever you have and make creases in them and then draw it and with time of doing that you will get good at it and you will be able to draw without looking at clothes because it will be natural.
I’m 12 I can help you with drawing it’s pretty simple and fun when you get used to it kat
The only thing I’m not good at is the hands. I hope I will figure how to draw hands soon. :>
when you are drawing hands refer to a square for the palm and a circle for the fingers when you got that down draw 3 circles for each finger and then what you want to do is connect them it will take time to get the dynamics right but you can start with a mannequin.
Is it okay to draw other anime characters in actual animes?
Got any tips on drawing hair? I’m a new artist and look up bases for hair, but I feel like I am just copying them.
i’m pretty new to drawing manga and in anime styles too so i have some advice, start with the base colour and then build on top of that, if you’re doing a traditional drawing use mixed media such as a pen and a pencil together, it builds texture! and don’t be scared to experiment! 🙂
How do u draw with guidelines? I feel like it will just get in the way. Do u just erase, then draw better, erase then draw better over and over again to different parts of the body? (I’m a beginner, trying to learn how to get better)
Draw the guidelines with pencil and ink with pen later. Then only ink the most prominent lines you feel suit the picture. Erase away the rest of the lines. These are the processes of an Analog mangaka.
im very glad you didn’t put ‘practice makes perfect’ on here
I love drawing manga eyes, especially with lead pencil! I don’t know how to do anything else so this website is super helpful. What would be more helpful for me is step by step guides to how to draw certain things for beginners.
Thanks for the advices it was useful
The tips here are true but there are artist that are better, the people that doesn’t need to sketch making solid outlines… But still, sketching still helps people to draw poses! pretty helpful tips here!
Im bad I can hardly draw Anime and Manga good got more tips
?
I can’t do anything right
that is so sad I’m gay jk I HATE MYSELF
You need to find something you love above all else. If it’s staring into space like I am doing right now, thinking about what to do next, that is okay.
i cant draw the hands body pose and hair im a noob 🙁
Im pretty good at manga but not the hands
Do wish this site had a manga class. I know basics about drawing a face, but translating that into the exaggerations in manga is a step beyond 🌹🌹🌹
I recommend skillshare.
OmL same-
I’m so bad at drawing anime faces, that when i draw eyes it looks like a ghost, lol. And i also need a picture of a hand to draw anime hand. I just don’t know how to draw hands properly. lol (*-*)And also have any advise on how to draw clothing nicely and neatly. cause mine looks like crushed up paper.(Basically what my trash can is right now. lol)
I also need a proper type of eraser. Got any suggestions?
magic eraser is great
You should get one of those Pentel High Polymer Erasers. They are really good.
me too and i am sorry to hear that
i think u should get a kneadable art eraser and a normal eraser
Yep, I was doing a shortcut because I am bad at drawing fingers but still I am bad at drawing fingers after watching a couple of tutorials
Any advice on hands, either? I need all the help i can get-w- (ehhehehh…) I never get the exact heights or widths the same, either.
I say ¨either¨ too much. -w- *also, sorry for …..blowing up this website with comments. ^ ^)||||*
I have been trying to teach myself anime for about 2 years an it still looks nothing close lol heh…
There is a great app for drawing anime. Just go to google play, and search up how to draw anime. Then the first app should appear and it is called “How to draw anime step by step”. Its by Smart Room Apps. I downloaded it and I have dramatically improved. From trash to ok- lol.
I’m so boring I can’t do anything right
I really want to draw anime better! I can draw it pretty well, but I normally don’t have proper paper, (lined, usually), and I always get distracted by things like video games. I also am not great with drawing a body without taking forever. It’s like; one day, “hey, I can draw!” another day, “I wanna draw! *tries* oh, that’s awful :)” “oh, hey, i’m good at drawing today- oh, but i feel like being a bum. -_- oh, well.” I have a million stories, too, that I wanna draw, so at least i know what i’m doing. (i think) But then there’s “I only have normal pencils” -w- …Any advice?
..-w- there’s also this thing…erm…I like to come up with fan fictions (they’re really cool! Trust me, they’re not in the “questionable” category), And I really want to draw them, too!! I wanna figure out a way I can without having to get people angry. qwq
You don’t have to finish a piece of art all at once. You can split it into different parts. Say you can draw the head, and then go take a break, come back later and then keep on working. You can make a lot with a normal pencil. Just look at manga. The manga isn’t colored but it has a lot of details.The darker the original color, the darker you shade. If you think ur art is awful, just remember when you just started drawing. You’ve probably improved a bunch.
おはよ…Hai…I want to draw a perfect Anime character…but im feel like its to hard to draw without any advice….Pleaseeee…helppp meeee
Watch some tutorials, it really hepled me a lot, and I would likely recommend Mikey Mega Mega, top-notch manga artist, and I learned most of my skills from him..so yeah…go check him out, peace.
You should know only what YOU WANT is the perfect you’re looking for, and what people call “perfect” doesn’t exist! 🙂 Try to get what you want, and then boom, you have your perfect.
i want to know more
Idk how to draw the guidelines please email me at shaki678y@gmail.com
Nice tip.Well looking forward for a social group of manga artist to improve mine art.
actually, u can copy it favorite artist’s art! BUT. U have to try to change something in the drawing! U can gradually get better after you prcticed.
great tips for those who are starting to draw anime
I am having a trouble in aligning the eyes and nose and the mouth…. And also drawing face shape…
ok! So u see, when drawing, u need to identify what shape is needed for your anime girl/boy! First you draw a circle for the head, then, you draw one lines on both sides of the circle! After your done with that, u connect the two lines with a curving line! Remember to do that seperatley on both sides! That will be more easier!
i have a friend and she is the BEST at sketching and i just cant get my hands or eyes right
Hey this is like a late comment or somth @^@ umm I just wanna say, i feel like if you keep reading articles, and watching videos / tutorials you will become a really good artist uwu goodbye.
Hey this is like a lot later than your comment but you are tight but that’s not it to be a really good artist. Let’s just say that you have a favourite artist then I would actually recommend you to copy tgat art of his or hers not to call it your drawing but for study purposes. In that way you can gain some knowledge and analysis how this person draws in general and from that you would be able to draw on you own. It’s good to see tutorial and all that stuff but it’s not enough. People need experience by themselves so tutorial wouldn’t be a great help to everyone. So what I just mean is, it’s ok to copy but only for study purposes. And from what you have copied, you can separate it into section so you would be able to anatomy in it. Trust me I am not a good artist myself but I know that this will help and there is a lot of other ways too. If it’s too confusing what I have been telling you guys the. contact me throughout instagram: maat_studio_artist and I will try my best to help you guys. Goodbye and good luck everyone
Same 😭
I don’t know how to draw anything I suck at drawnig
same
yah you right
(eh-late comment/reply) You only stink at drawing because you’re not putting your all, and making your drawing perfect. By perfect, I don’t mean “OH ITS FLAWLESS” I mean perfect as in make your drawing in the way you wanna make it ^ ^
But why do you think that person drawing stinks? However I do see some good drawing approach here. I really find this post very interesting on my part.
Kind regards
easy drawings.
same I also think that once you get better even your best drawing from a certain year which you thought was awesome might sometimes look a bit worse than the characters you are drawing at the moment