Wanna explore anime art ideas and need some inspo? We’re here to help! Check out this collection of artwork from talented artists all over the world, who draw their original characters (OCs) using anime techniques.
Manga style drawing
Image: @juloiid
This dynamic manga-style sketch brings storytelling to life through expressive characters and comic panelling. The clean lines and varied perspectives make the scene pop, instantly drawing you into the moment. If you're into creating story-driven art, playing with different panel layouts like this can add depth to your pieces. Fineliner pens and markers are great tools for crisp, detailed lines that bring your characters to life with personality and movement.
Marker anime drawing
Image: @blue_draw.ca
This sketch exudes laid-back charm with its soft, pastel colour palette and loose, sketchy lines. Markers were used to add a vibrant touch, bringing the character’s green hair and plaid coat to life. It's great for creators who want to experiment with colour blocking and combos while keeping a sketchy, relaxed vibe.
Anime drawing techniques
Explore these handy techniques for anime drawing! From drawing faces and expressions to hair, watch us create classic anime features so you can follow along and learn how! These methods are simple but as with everything, practice makes perfect.
Gouache anime
Image: @pbaoaa
This whimsical drawing feels full of energy with its soft pastel hues and confetti-like background. Gouache is ideal for capturing those soft, dreamlike colours that work so well in anime-style art, while also allowing for bold details in the eyes and hair. Plus, gouache dries matte, lending itself to stylised drawing effects.
Anime background drawing
Image: @juloiid
This anime background sketch brings a sense of adventure and mystery, with a character standing before a portal to who-knows-where. The details of the background draw the viewer into the story, making you wonder where the character might be heading. Expand the anime style to include the background, so your drawing tells a story and engages the viewer.
Anime faces drawings
Practice drawing faces with different expressions to get comfy with the art style. Keep drawing your characters over and over with new facial movements and see what happens – how do they express themselves? Just grab some sketching goodies and get doodling!
Anime painting acrylic
Image: @pbaoaa
This close-up anime portrait blends traditional anime styling with an expressive, painterly feel. The character's eyes, filled with soft emotion, stand out against the colourful background filled with sticker-like doodles. Acrylic paints work great for building up texture and layering vibrant colours. They dry nice and quickly so you can create clean layers. This effect is great for artists who want to explore both classic anime features and looser, more textured painting techniques.
How to draw anime style
Check out this simple how-to, perfect for beginners wanting to approach anime and manga drawing. We cover the basics, from mapping out the face dimensions to nailing those iconic big eyes. Watch and follow along to have a go!
How to draw an anime character
Anime can be super one-dimensional or ultra-realistic, and we think it’s fun to explore both ends of the spectrum. Check out this lesson to see how we add extra depth to this vibrant anime sketch using graphite and watercolours.
If one of the bold ideas above has inspired you to get explore anime sketching, #montmarteart or tag us @montmarteart on Instagram or Facebook. We’d love to see what you come up with! You may need some art markers, pencils, and gouache to get started.
If you want to see more art, browse our Inspo collection. You can sign-up to Creative Connection by popping in your email down below to get stacks of free art projects sent straight to you. We’re here to keep you inspired!
