How to Draw an Anime Girl Profile: Easy Step-by-Step Guide

Perfect for budding artists ages 8+, this tutorial breaks down the complexities of drawing an anime profile into manageable, fun steps. You will need a pencil, eraser, and paper to bring this character to life. By the end, you’ll master the side-view proportions and how to add volume to curly hair.

7 Steps

🎯 Final Result

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Profile Base

Lightly sketch the outline of the head and neck in profile. Use a smooth, continuous curve for the forehead, nose, and chin. Tip: Keep your pencil pressure very light here so you can easily refine the jawline later.

Step 2: Defining Facial Features

Place the eye in the indentation below the brow bone. Add a curved eyebrow above and a small, simple shape for the nose and mouth. Tip: Anime eyes in profile are often shaped like a triangle or a wedge; keep the lashes sharp and clean.

Step 3: Drawing the Bangs

Sketch the bangs using curved lines that taper to points. Ensure they overlap the forehead line slightly to give the hair a natural, layered look. Tip: Vary the length of the hair strands to make the hairstyle look more realistic.

Step 4: Adding the Hair Bow

Draw the hair volume on top of the head using rounded, overlapping lines. Add the bow at the back by drawing two loops that meet at a central point. Tip: Think of the bow as two triangles with rounded edges to keep the proportions balanced.

Step 5: Styling the Curly Hair

Use loose, wavy lines to define the curls falling from the ponytail. Add short, flicking lines within the hair to suggest texture and movement. Tip: Don't try to make every curl identical; natural hair has variety and flow.

Step 6: Refining Your Lines

Go over your final lines with a darker pencil or pen. Carefully erase any overlapping construction lines or smudges. Tip: Use a kneaded eraser to gently lift away graphite without damaging the paper texture.

Step 7: Adding Color

Bring your character to life with your favorite colors! Use light shades for the skin and vibrant colors for the hair and bow. Tip: Add a small white highlight on the eye to make it look bright and expressive.