One of the first things every manga artist learns is how to draw a face.
Whether you dream of creating action manga, romance, fantasy, or comedy, every memorable character begins with a well-constructed face.
The good news is that drawing manga faces isn’t about talent—it’s about understanding structure.
In this guide, we’ll show you the same basic techniques that many professional Japanese manga artists use to build strong, expressive characters.
Why Learning Face Construction Matters
Many beginners start by drawing eyes first.
Professional manga artists usually do the opposite.
Instead, they begin by creating a simple construction sketch (called atari in Japan), which helps establish:
- Head shape
- Face direction
- Balance
- Proportions
Once the structure is correct, adding facial features becomes much easier.
Step 1: Draw a Circle
Start with a simple circle.
This represents the top part of the skull.
Don’t worry about making it perfect.
A light sketch works best because you’ll erase construction lines later.
Step 2: Draw the Center Guidelines
Draw:
- One vertical guideline
- One horizontal guideline
These lines help keep every facial feature aligned.
The vertical line shows where the face is looking.
The horizontal line determines eye placement.
Step 3: Add the Chin
Below the circle, draw the jaw and chin.
Remember:
- Round chin → younger character
- Pointed chin → elegant character
- Square jaw → masculine character
Even this small change dramatically affects your character’s personality.
Step 4: Understand Manga Face Proportions
Although every manga style is different, beginners can follow these simple proportions:
Eyes
Place the eyes slightly below the center of the face.
Large eyes usually make characters appear younger and more expressive.
Nose
Keep the nose simple.
Many manga artists only draw:
- a short line
- a small triangle
- a tiny shadow
Less is often more.
Mouth
The mouth sits halfway between the nose and the chin.
Avoid making it too large.
Small mouths are common in Japanese manga.
Ears
The top of the ears usually lines up with the eyes.
The bottom lines up with the nose.
Step 5: Draw Different Face Angles
Once you’ve mastered the front view, practice different angles.
Start with:
- Front View
- 3/4 View
- Side View
The key is the center guideline.
When the face turns, the center line curves around the sphere of the head.
This single line tells the viewer exactly where the character is looking.
Step 6: Add Hair Last
Many beginners make this mistake:
They draw the hair first.
Professional manga artists almost always draw:
- Skull
- Face
- Eyes
- Nose
- Mouth
- Hair
Hair should wrap around the skull—not sit flat on the face.
Common Beginner Mistakes
Here are mistakes our instructors see every day.
❌ Drawing eyes too high
The eyes usually sit closer to the middle of the head than beginners expect.
❌ Ignoring construction lines
Construction lines save time.
Professional artists use them constantly.
❌ Making both eyes identical
In a 3/4 view, the far eye should appear slightly smaller.
❌ Drawing hair attached directly to the face
Remember that hair has volume.
Always leave space between the skull and the outer hair shape.
Practice Exercise
Try drawing the same character from three angles:
- Front View
- 3/4 View
- Side View
After that, change only the eyebrows and mouth to create different emotions.
Practice:
😊 Happy
😲 Surprised
😡 Angry
😢 Sad
You’ll quickly discover how much expression can change a character.
Learn from Professional Japanese Manga Artists
At MANGA DOJO Online, you’ll learn much more than just how to draw a face.
Our professional manga artists teach:
- Character Design
- Manga Storytelling
- Panel Layout
- Facial Expressions
- Digital Manga Techniques
- Personalized Feedback
Every lesson includes live instruction, homework, and feedback to help you improve step by step.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or dreaming of becoming a professional manga artist, we’re here to help.
Start Your Manga Journey Today
Join students from around the world and learn directly from professional Japanese manga artists.
Learn Manga from Japan, Wherever You Are.
★Explore MANGA DOJO Online:
https://mangadojo-online.com/
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