Manga eyes: place them, build them, bring the gaze to life

Placing the eyes

1. Step 1The eye line

   On the built head, the eyes sit on the horizontal line halfway between the top of the skull and the chin. Manga often lowers them a little for a younger face.

2. Step 2One eye apart

   Leave about the width of one eye between the two. More space looks soft and childlike, less space looks harsh or grown-up.

3. Step 3Follow the curve of the head

   The eyes sit on a sphere: on a three-quarter head, the far eye gets narrower and closer to the edge of the face. Both eyes stay on the eye line, even when it tilts.

4. Step 4The eyebrow above

   Place the eyebrow about half an eye above. It follows the brow ridge and already sets a good part of the expression.

Building an eye in four steps

1. Step 1The upper eyelid

   Start with the thickest line: the upper eyelid, like a roof. It decides the shape of the eye, round, almond or stretched.

2. Step 2The iris

   Draw a tall oval, cut at the top by the eyelid. A fully visible iris makes the gaze look shocked or staring: let it touch the upper line.

3. Step 3Pupil and highlights

   Add the pupil in the middle, then one or two highlights on the same side in both eyes, as if a single lamp lit the face. They are what makes the eye shine.

4. Step 4The lower eyelid

   A thinner, shorter line, often broken. The less of it there is, the lighter the drawing looks.

What changes a gaze

• A high, round eyelid: a gentle or naive character. A low, flat eyelid: a calm, confident or tired one.
• The size of the iris: large, the character looks young and open; small, tense, scared or threatening.
• Where the irises point: both look at the same spot. Move them together, never one without the other.
• Lashes: a few thick strokes at the outer corner are enough. The heavier they are, the more feminine or dramatic the gaze.
• The eyebrow: low and close to the nose, it shows anger; raised in the middle, sadness or worry.

One eye in every style

The same character changes completely with the style of the eyes. Knowing how to switch from one to the other means choosing who your drawing speaks to.

1. Step 1Shojo

   Very big eyes, taller than wide, a huge iris with several highlights and strong lashes. The gaze is soft, dreamy, very expressive.

2. Step 2Shonen

   Eyes wider than tall, a thick upper eyelid slanting slightly toward the nose, a single sharp highlight. The gaze is determined.

3. Step 3Seinen

   Smaller, more realistic eyes, a thinner eyelid with a visible crease, a smaller iris. The gaze is grown-up and serious.

4. Step 4Chibi and comedy

   A black oval with one highlight, or even a single line. The simpler the style, the clearer the expression has to be.

The coach's tips

• Draw both eyes at the same time, going back and forth: you'll see right away if they are the same size.
• Start with the upper eyelid, never with the iris: the eyelid gives the shape.
• White showing under the iris looks calm; white showing above it looks scared.
• A lifeless gaze usually needs a bigger highlight, not more detail.
• In the app, pick characters with different eye styles and look at the shape of their eyelids before tracing them.

Practice right now

Once the lesson is read, draw this exercise: it takes about 10 minutes.