The Master Guide to Drawing Anime - How to Draw Original Characters from Simple Templates - First Edition

Sep 3, 2026

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The Master Guide to Drawing Anime teaches how to create original anime characters by starting from simple, customizable template models. Each chapter focuses on a main character type and introduces a basic template, then walks through step-by-step changes to eyes, hair, pose, costume, and color. The guide explains what a template is, including how anime model charts represent head and body angles, proportions, and outfit options, enabling artists to generate unlimited variations with less struggle.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPaper Templates

FormatPDF

Pages22

Reading Time8 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Schoolgirls

Schoolboys

Preteens

Charming Villains

Humor in Anime

Fantasy Characters

Index

DRAWINGWITHChristopher Hart THEMASTERGUDETOHow to Draw Original Characters from Simple Templates DRAWINGWITHChristopher Hart HEMASTERGUDETODRAWINGANIME How to DrawOriginal Charactersfrom SimpleTemplates NEW YORK Managing Editor Managing Editor LAURA COOKE LAURA COOKE Art Director Art Director DIANE LAMPHRON DIANE LAMPHRON Senior Editor Senior Editor LISA SILVERMAN LISA SILVERMAN Editor Editor ALISA GARRISONLAURA COOKE ALISA GARRISONLAURA COOKE Editorial Assistant Editorial Assistant SARAH THIENEMAN SARAH THIENEMAN Contributing Artists Contributing Artists ANZU ANZU ERO-PINKU ERO-PINKU INMA R. INMA R. TINA FRANCISCO TINA FRANCISCO TABBY KINK TABBY KINK AYAME SHIROI AYAME SHIROI Vice President Vice President TRISHA MALCOLM TRISHA MALCOLM Publisher Publisher CAROLINE KILMER CAROLINE KILMER Production Manager Production Manager DAVID JOINNIDES DAVID JOINNIDES President President ART JOINNIDES ART JOINNIDES Chairman Chairman JAY STEIN DRAWINGWITHChristopher Hart An imprint of Sixth&Spring Books 161 Avenue of the Americas,New York,NY 10013sixthandspringbooks.com Copyright ◎2015 by Cartoon Craft,LLCAll rights reserved.No part of this publicationmay be reproduced or used in any form or by anymeans—graphic,electronic,or mechanical,includingphotocopying,recording,or information storage-and-retrieval systems—without written permission ofthe publisher. The written instructions,photographs,designs,projects,and patterns are intended for the personal,noncommercial use of the retail purchaser andare under federal copyright laws;they are not tobe reproduced in any form for commercial use.Permission is granted to photocopy content for thepersonal use of the retail purchaser. # Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication DataThe master guide to drawing anime :how todraw original characters from simple templates/Christopher Hart.—First Edition. pages cmISBN 978-1-936096-86-2 1.Comic books,strips,etc.—Japan—Technique. 2.Cartooning—Technique.3.Comic strip characters.I.Title. NC1764.5.J3H369452015 741.5'1—dc23 2014030200 MANUFACTURED IN CHINA 13579108642 Dedicated to you and to First Edition anime fans everywhere! —CHRISTOPHER HART www.christopherhartbooks.com # Author Note This practical guidewillnot only show youhow to create originalcharacters but also helpyou to build a rock-solid foundation as yougo forward with yourartwork.Keep this bookhandy,and turn to itwhenever you needsome inspiration.I wantto express my thanksfor the opportunity toshare in your progress.I hope you'll checkout some of my otherpopular titles onmanga,figure drawing,and cartooning.Andfeel free to stop andsay hello or ask mea question on socialmedia.Until next time,always remember,youdeserve to succeed!www.facebook.com/LEARN.TO.DRAW.CARTOONS—Christopher ■INTRODUCTION 8 ■SCHOOLGIRLS 10 Head Proportions 360°Template 12Templates for Eye Color 14 Creating Variations Based on the Template 16More Variations 22 Schoolgirl Body Proportions 24Basic 360°Schoolgirl Body Template 26Fashion &Outfits 28More Outfits 32 Fashion Selections for the Basic Schoolgirl 34Using Emotions to Create Original Characters 38 ■SCHOOLBOYS 46 Head Proportions 360°Template 48Basic Schoolboy Character(3/4 View)50Basic 360°Schoolboy Body Template 52Clothing 53Classic Schoolboy 56 ■PRETEENS 58 Preteen Head Proportions 360°Template 60Body Proportions Templates 64Preteen Eyes 66Preteen Outfits 67Preteen Personality Types 68Drawing Exercises:Preteens 76 ■CHARMING VILLAINS 80 Variations in the Villain Template 82Drawing Exercises:Vengeful Bad Guys 88 ■HUMOR IN ANIME 100 Humorous Head Proportions:The Wink 102Funny Body Proportions for Humorous Characters 104Popular Comedy Character Variations 106 ■FANTASY CHARACTERS 120 Fantasy Head Proportions 360°Template 122ldealized Body Proportions 123Basic Proportions of the Heroic Pose 1

FAQs

Which features can be changed to create variations?

You can adjust eyes, hair, pose, costume, and color to generate distinct original characters from the same base template.

Sep 3, 2026

Upload by Mia