Jun 18 / Sozoroo TEAM

How to Draw Anime Characters from Overhead and Low-Angle Views

Drawing anime characters from overhead (bird's-eye view) or low-angle (worm's-eye view) perspectives can significantly enhance your artistic expression. However, it can be challenging for beginners to capture these views accurately. This article focuses on key points and techniques for effectively drawing characters' heads from these unique perspectives.

Basics of Overhead and Low-Angle Views

What Are Overhead and Low-Angle Views?

  • Overhead View (bird's-eye view): Looking down on the character from above.
  • Horizontal View: Directly from the side or front.
  • Low-Angle View (worm's-eye view): Looking up at the character from below.
By mastering these perspectives, you can create more dynamic and three-dimensional illustrations.

Simplifying the Head

Breaking down the head into basic shapes will help you understand how each part changes with perspective. Keep the following key points in mind as you proceed.

Drawing Characters’ Heads from Overhead View

Changes in the Overhead view

In an overhead view, the shape and placement of facial features differ from the usual view. It's important to carefully observe these changes using your favorite anime character reference sheets.

  • Visible Range: The range of visible features changes between a horizontal and an overhead view. For example, usually the area directly below the chin becomes invisible, and the nose's shape and position alter.
  • Feature Placement: Look at images of your favorite anime characters to see features like the eyes, nose, and mouth appear in an overhead perspective.
 

Tips for Drawing

  • Top of the Head: In the overhead view, the top of the head is more visible, so emphasize the roundness.
  • Eyebrow and Eye Position: Keep the relative positions of the eyebrows and eyes while considering the scaling effect in the overhead view.
  • Nose Shape: Simplify the nose into a basic shape, such as a triangle, and focus on how it changes.
  • Mouth and Jaw: Adjust the height of the mouth and the contour of the jaw, as the jawline may fall out of view.

Using Shapes

Thinking of facial parts as simple shapes (e.g., a triangle for the nose) helps in visualizing how they change in an overhead view.

Drawing Characters’ Heads from Low-Angle View

Changes in the Low-Angle View

In a low-angle view, the lower parts of the face are always emphasized, requiring careful attention to specific details.

  • Visible Range: The visible features change from a horizontal to a low-angle view, making the jaw and neck more prominent.
  • Feature Placement: Notice features like the eyes, nose, and mouth appear from a low-angle perspective.

Tips for Drawing

  • Jaw and Neck: In the low-angle view, the jaw and neck are crucial. Think of the area under the chin as a trapezoid to get the shape right.
  • Eyebrows and Eyelashes: The perception of the upper and lower parts of the eyebrows and eyelashes expands, so consider this in your drawing.
  • Eye Shape: The shape of the eyes may change significantly, so observe and adjust accordingly.

Attention to Blind Spots

Be mindful of normally hidden areas, such as the connection from the neck to the jaw and the lower part of the eyes, and detail them properly in the low-angle view.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of drawing character heads from overhead and low-angle perspectives expands your expressive range and adds depth and realism to your characters. Understanding how the placement and shape of features change in these views, and simplifying them into basic shapes, makes it easier to achieve accurate renderings.

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