Ani-May: How to draw Anime, a written explanation

THIS IS MY ADVICE, NOT A PROFESSIONALS, DEAL WITH IT

When I was drawing anime, tutorials that mostly made me follow along while drawing specifically or using visuals just really didn't help me at all. I couldn't make my hands move the way that the artist's did and I got really annoyed and almost quit. Then I realized that I couldn't quit, I just had to learn in my own way, which was a longer, and more unique process. For those of you who felt the same frustration as me, here is a quick little tutorial to help you guys out!

Step 1. Get familiar with different styles of anime.
Anime is not just one style, it is in fact one style with many variations. Therefore, you are allowed a creative freedom to draw the type of anime you really feel comfortable with. For example, you will notice the different styles if you watch DeathNote, Attack on Titan, and Fullmetal Alchemist immediately. The facial proportions are all different due to the way the eyes are drawn. So, in order to start drawing, simply get yourself familiar with the different styles.

Step 2. Start developing a template.
In order to draw several different people you may want to have a template that you use throughout the beginning stages of your anime drawing. You can look up templates or just make your own. They can have guidelines, or not. I highly recommend having guidelines as a beginning anime artist just to get familiar with the facial proportions and where everything is placed.

Step 3. Eyes.
Eyes are the main judge of how the facial proportions are in relation with each other. The eyes are also the most important part of an anime facial structure. If you're going realistic, start with an almond shape and look at photos for reference. If you're going for the more classic cartoony style you will want to draw a large almond shaped eye, much larger than a realistic look and go lightly or erase the area where the eye connects to each other in the inner corner, look at photos for reference!

Step 4. Familiarity with other facial features.
The other facial features are mostly just simple lines, for example a mouth can be a slightly curved line that isn't connected at the middle and a nose can simply look like this: >. There isn't much advice I can give about these so go for it! Look at pictures for references and such.

Step 5. Hair.
Hair is generally very textured or very flat in anime, it just depends on the character. There is also no in between so... Basically you want to start with basic lines sprouting from the forehead of the character and into the space around the face, curving and spiking it as you go. Make sure it is reasonable for a hairstyle. Once you texture the inner hair very lightly you will be able to leave it simple or have many details, whatever is most comfortable with you.

Step 6. Clothing.
Because of your template you should already have body proportions. Now, clothing is the most difficult part of anime drawing as it is very intricate and exact, I recommend looking at pictures of anime clothing, or maybe even take pictures of your clothes and see how the fold on the body. If anything, at subtle creases where the arm hits the main torso and the armpit area. Also add some at the waist and beginning of the pants. As well as near the knees and elbows. This is as simple as you can get with anime. Just make sure the folds look natural and not too neat.

There you go! A written explanation of how to draw anime. I hope it helped! For now,
Sayonara!