Anime Master : How to Draw Heads, Faces & Hair for any style from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

How to structure the face so that your faces come out believable and appealing
My process for drawing faces at any angle
How to use rhythms to keep facial proportions in check
Understand the placement of facial features

Visualize the forms of the head and face
Recreate a character's face from either imagination or reference
Understand realistic forms and how to simplify them

How to structure the face so that your faces come out believable and appealing
My process for drawing faces at any angle
How to use rhythms to keep facial proportions in check
Understand the placement of facial features
Visualize the forms of the head and face
Recreate a character's face from either imagination or reference
Understand realistic forms and how to simplify them

Syllabus

Introduction

Hey, welcome to the course! Thank you so much for checking it out. Let me introduce myself then let's get started!

Overview

In this video I give a basic overview of fundamentals and forms that will be essential for understanding the rest of course.

I'll go over examples of facial proportions on anime and real life face, then do a demonstration on drawing a simple face with proportions and guidelines.

I'll go over the use of shapes and silhouette and what they say about your character.

We'll go over landmarks of the skull to consider when drawing the face, as well as the major forms of the head

An introduction to using the Loomis method for drawing the head

I introduce the concept of rhythms and give some examples of facial rhythms to consider

I go over the concept of visualizing the head within a box when drawing the head at different angles

I go over important anatomy of the eye and things to consider when drawing realistic eyes

I go over breaking down the eye into a number of strokes and examples of anime eye shapes using these strokes

I go over a method for visualizing the eyes at different angles and how to draw the eye on the far side of the head

I go over my method for coloring anime eyes

I go over placing the eyebrows, their shape and movement

I go over the anatomy of the nose and how to simplify it

I go over the different parts of the mouth; lips, teeth, and tongue

I break down the parts of the ear and how I draw it

I go over different expression levels, what changes across the face and how use of curves changes the expression. I also demo some expression sketches

I introduce the concept of ribbons, which will eventually become our hair parts, and demo some examples

I go over breaking the hair into section on the head

I demo some examples of female hair styles

I demo some examples of male hair styles

I demonstrate some tricks for drawing braids and how I draw curls

In this video we will go over the anatomy of the neck and upper body

In this video we will go over how to draw the upper body using gesture and forms

Congratulations on completing the course! Here are some ideas for how to study and apply your new skills

Here's an additional video for you to see my process. It's very much the same as in the final project, just another example for you to explore.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Breaks down the process of drawing anime faces into manageable steps, which is helpful for beginners looking to improve their skills

Teaches techniques applicable to various drawing styles beyond anime, which broadens the learner's artistic skillset and understanding of form

Includes character design projects to allow learners to apply the techniques learned and develop their own unique characters

Explores the use of rhythms in facial proportions, which is a unique approach that can help artists create more dynamic and appealing faces

Covers the anatomy of the neck and shoulders, which helps learners create more complete and believable character designs

Requires learners to have access to drawing materials, which may be an additional cost for some students

Reviews summary

Structured guide to drawing anime heads

According to students, this course offers a clear and structured approach to drawing heads, faces, and hair, particularly for those interested in the anime style. Learners appreciate the step-by-step methods and the focus on fundamental structure and proportions, which helps in achieving believable and appealing characters. Many found the techniques useful not just for anime but also applicable to other drawing styles. The course is often described as easy to follow and great for beginners looking to build a solid foundation. The sections on facial features and hair are highlighted as particularly helpful.

Techniques work beyond just the anime style.

"Even though it's titled 'Anime Master,' the fundamental principles taught here are universally applicable."

"I found the techniques useful for my own cartoon style, not strictly anime."

"The focus on understanding structure helps you adapt the principles to any aesthetic you prefer."

Detailed coverage of specific features.

"The breakdowns of drawing individual facial features like eyes and noses were very informative."

"I struggled with drawing hair, but the ribbon method and sectioning technique made it much clearer."

"The examples for different hair styles were a great resource."

Accessible and suitable for new artists.

"As someone relatively new to drawing, I found this course very accessible and not overwhelming."

"It's perfect if you're a beginner struggling with drawing consistent and well-proportioned faces."

"The step-by-step guidance is ideal for learning the basics correctly."

Strong emphasis on core drawing principles.

"The focus on understanding the underlying forms and skull landmarks was incredibly helpful."

"Learning about proportions and rhythms significantly improved the consistency of my drawings."

"It teaches you to visualize the head in 3D space, which is a crucial skill."

"The course provides a solid foundation in head construction that goes beyond just copying styles."

Provides an easy-to-follow, structured approach.

"The instructor breaks down complex concepts into simple, manageable steps, making it easy to follow along."

"Following the guidelines and methods provided made drawing faces much easier and less frustrating than before."

"I really appreciated the structured approach and clear measurements, especially as a beginner who was previously just guessing."

"This course taught me a reliable process for constructing heads from any angle."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Anime Master : How to Draw Heads, Faces & Hair for any style with these activities:

Review Facial Anatomy

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Reinforce your understanding of facial anatomy to better grasp the underlying structures that influence anime character design.

Browse courses on Facial Anatomy

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Study diagrams of facial muscles and bone structure.
Practice sketching the skull from different angles.
Identify key anatomical landmarks on your own face.

Read 'Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain'

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Improve your observational drawing skills to better capture the nuances of facial expressions and forms.

View Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain on Amazon

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Complete the drawing exercises in the book.
Focus on negative space and contour drawing.

Daily Facial Feature Studies

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Refine your ability to draw individual facial features accurately and consistently.

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Dedicate time each day to drawing eyes, noses, mouths, and ears.
Use reference images of anime characters and real people.
Focus on capturing the unique characteristics of each feature.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Create a Character Design Sheet

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Apply the course concepts to design a unique anime character, solidifying your understanding of facial proportions and stylization.

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Develop a character concept and backstory.
Sketch multiple head variations, experimenting with different styles.
Create a final character design sheet with front, side, and three-quarter views.
Add color and shading to bring your character to life.

Read 'Figure-Drawing: For All It's Worth'

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Deepen your understanding of head construction and proportions using a classic figure drawing guide.

View Melania on Amazon

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Study the Loomis method for drawing the head.
Practice drawing heads from different angles using the Loomis method.

Explore Advanced Hair Shading Techniques

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Expand your knowledge of hair rendering by studying advanced shading techniques used by professional anime artists.

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Search for tutorials on YouTube or art websites.
Analyze how different artists create highlights and shadows.
Experiment with different shading styles in your own drawings.

Redraw Your Favorite Anime Character

Show steps

Apply the course concepts to recreate a beloved anime character, focusing on accurate proportions and stylistic details.

Show steps

Select an anime character you admire.
Gather reference images of the character from different angles.
Sketch the character's head, paying attention to proportions and facial features.
Refine the drawing, adding details and shading.
Compare your drawing to the original, identifying areas for improvement.

Career center

Learners who complete Anime Master : How to Draw Heads, Faces & Hair for any style will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Character Designer

A character designer develops the visual appearance of characters for various media. This includes their facial features, expressions, and overall look. A course on how to draw heads, faces, and hair for any style, like the one described, can be invaluable. The course emphasizes structuring faces and understanding facial proportions, rhythms, and feature placement, which are all essential for a character designer. Learning to visualize the forms of the head and recreate characters is particularly relevant. Furthermore, the course addresses drawing faces from any angle, which is critical for bringing character designs to life. Knowledge from this course can improve the efficiency and quality of a character designer's work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Character Designer

Manga Artist

A Manga Artist creates manga, Japanese comic books, which often feature distinctive character designs with expressive faces and hairstyles. This course, teaching how to draw heads, faces, and hair for any style, directly supports the work of a Manga Artist. The emphasis on structuring faces, understanding proportions, and visualizing forms enables them to create more appealing and believable characters in a manga style. Learning to recreate characters from imagination or reference, as taught in the course, is also a valuable skill. The focus on sketching, inking, and coloring techniques is relevant, considering the importance of line work and visual storytelling in manga. The Manga Artist will find many benefits from this course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Manga Artist

Comic Book Artist

A Comic Book Artist creates the visual narrative of comic books, which includes drawing characters, expressions, and scenes, and for many, this relies on strong facial artwork. The techniques taught in this course are highly relevant. The course emphasizes facial structure, proportions, and feature placement, all of which are vital for illustrating expressive and dynamic characters. Learning to visualize the forms of the head and recreate characters from imagination or reference is essential. The course addresses drawing faces from any angle as well as the techniques for sketching, inking, and coloring, all of which are valuable skills for a Comic Book Artist. This course will help any Comic Book Artist improve the quality of their illustrations.

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Concept Artist

A Concept Artist creates visual representations of ideas for various projects, including films, video games, and animations. These designs need to be realistic and believable. This course, focused on drawing heads, faces, and hair, directly aids a Concept Artist's work. The ability to quickly sketch and refine character designs is crucial for visualizing concepts. The course's emphasis on structuring faces, understanding proportions, and visualizing forms enables a Concept Artist to generate more appealing and believable characters. Learning to recreate characters from imagination or reference is particularly important. The course's techniques for sketching, inking, and coloring can streamline the concept art creation process. As a result, this course helps a Concept Artist to improve their designs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Concept Artist

Animator

Animators bring characters to life through movement and expression. This role often involves designing and drawing character faces from various angles and in different emotional states; a course such as this one directly aids this process. By learning to structure faces, understand proportions, and visualize forms as taught in this course, an Animator can create more believable and appealing characters. The course's focus on facial features, expressions, and techniques for drawing hair are highly applicable. The lessons on sketching, inking, and color provide helpful coverage. Overall, this course's techniques can enhance the artistic toolkit of an Animator, leading to more expressive and dynamic animations.

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Game Artist

A Game Artist creates visual assets for video games, including character designs, environments, and user interface elements. Often these characters have very distinct faces. This course directly relates to a Game Artist's work by providing training in how to draw heads, faces, and hair for any style. The emphasis on structuring faces, understanding proportions, and visualizing forms enables the Game Artist to create more compelling and believable characters. Learning to recreate characters from imagination or reference, as taught in the course, is particularly relevant. Additionally, the techniques for sketching, inking, and coloring, all of which are vital for digital art creation, are addressed by the course. This course helps improve a Game Artist's skill set.

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Visual Development Artist

A Visual Development Artist explores and defines the visual style of a project, often involving character design and environment concepts. This course, which focuses on drawing faces, heads, and hair, is a very useful tool. The ability to create appealing and consistent character designs is crucial for establishing the visual style. The course's emphasis on structuring faces, understanding proportions, and visualizing forms enables a Visual Development Artist to generate more believable and expressive characters. Learning to recreate characters from imagination or reference, as taught in the course, is also a valuable skill. This course enables a Visual Development Artist to improve their designs.

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Freelance Artist

A Freelance Artist works independently on various projects, often involving illustration, character design, or visual development. This course, which focuses on drawing heads, faces, and hair for any style, is particularly helpful for those focusing on character creation. The emphasis on structuring faces, understanding proportions, and visualizing forms enables a Freelance Artist to create more appealing and believable characters. Learning to recreate characters from imagination or reference, as taught in the course, is essential for meeting diverse client needs. The techniques for sketching, inking, and coloring as discussed in this course are helpful. The Freelance Artist finds benefits from this course.

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Illustrator

Illustrators create images for various purposes, such as books, magazines, and advertisements. A course on how to draw heads, faces, and hair is directly applicable to this profession. The ability to create appealing and expressive character illustrations is often essential for an Illustrator. The course's emphasis on structuring faces, understanding proportions, and visualizing forms enables an Illustrator to create more compelling and believable characters. Learning to recreate characters from imagination or reference, as taught in this course, can be a valuable skill. The techniques taught in this course helps an Illustrator improve their illustration skills and create more impactful visuals.

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Graphic Novel Artist

A graphic novel artist creates extended narrative artwork, often involving detailed character designs and sequential storytelling. A course like this one, teaching how to draw heads, faces, and hair for any style, is directly helpful. The ability to create consistent and expressive character illustrations is essential for any graphic novel artist. The course's emphasis on structuring faces, understanding proportions, and visualizing forms enables the graphic novel artist to create more compelling and believable characters across an extended narrative. Learning to recreate characters from imagination or reference, as taught in the course, is also a valuable skill. The graphic novel artist may find this course to be beneficial.

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Storyboard Artist

A Storyboard Artist visually plans out scenes for film, television, or animation, often involving quick sketches of characters and their expressions. This course, which focuses on drawing heads, faces, and hair, can be a valuable asset. The ability to quickly and accurately depict facial expressions and character designs is crucial for effective storyboarding. The course’s emphasis on structuring faces, understanding proportions, and visualizing forms greatly helps improve a Storyboard Artist's speed and accuracy. The course's techniques for drawing faces from any angle and simplifying realistic forms are beneficial for efficiently communicating visual ideas. This course may improve a Storyboard Artist's understanding of the fundamentals.

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Fashion Illustrator

A Fashion Illustrator creates drawings or paintings of clothing and accessories for use in advertising, editorial, and design. The ability to draw stylish and appealing figures is crucial for success. This course, focusing on drawing heads, faces, and hair, is directly applicable to their work. The course’s emphasis on structuring faces, understanding proportions, and visualizing forms will help a Fashion Illustrator create more stylish and visually appealing characters. Learning to recreate characters from imagination or reference, as taught in the course, is a valuable skill. In conclusion, this course is helpful for the Fashion Illustrator.

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Textbook Illustrator

A textbook illustrator creates images for educational materials, often designing diagrams, charts, and character illustrations to help students understand complex concepts. This course, with its focus on drawing heads, faces, and hair, is useful for any style of illustration. The ability to create clear, concise, and engaging character illustrations is particularly valuable. The course emphasizes structuring faces and understanding proportions, making it useful. Learning to visualize the forms of the head and recreate characters from reference, as taught in the course, enables the textbook illustrator to create accurate and appealing visuals. For the textbook illustrator, this course is helpful.

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Medical Illustrator

A Medical Illustrator creates visuals for textbooks, medical journals, and patient education materials, often requiring a deep knowledge of anatomy and the ability to depict human forms accurately. Although this course does not specifically focus on medical illustration, the skills taught are transferable. The ability to accurately depict facial features and understand underlying anatomical structures, which would require additional study, may be improved. Learning to visualize forms, as taught in the course, might provide a foundation for understanding complex anatomical structures. A Medical Illustrator typically requires a master's degree in medical illustration. Those in this field may benefit from this course.

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Art Director

An Art Director oversees the visual style and images for various projects, such as advertising campaigns, film sets, or magazine layouts. Although an Art Director may not be drawing every day, understanding the fundamentals of character design, especially faces, is beneficial. This course may provide insights into facial structure, proportions, and feature placement, which allows the Art Director to better guide artists and provide constructive feedback. Knowledge of how to visualize forms and understand realistic forms, as taught in this course, helps the Art Director communicate their vision effectively. Overall, this course can increase an Art Director's understanding of character design. An Art Director typically possesses a bachelor's degree.

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Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Anime Master : How to Draw Heads, Faces & Hair for any style.

Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain

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Classic guide to drawing that emphasizes visual perception and understanding spatial relationships. It's particularly useful for beginners as it helps to unlock artistic potential by training the eye to see shapes, lines, and forms accurately. While not specific to anime, the fundamental principles taught in this book are essential for any artist, including those interested in anime-style drawing. It provides a strong foundation for understanding form and perspective, which are crucial for creating believable and appealing characters.

Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain

Paperback

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Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain

Kindle Edition

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