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Draw a Manga Girl Character

Draw a Manga Girl Character
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Draw a manga girl character step-by-step, learning facial proportions, hairstyles, expressions, and coloring techniques using pencil, eraser, and markers to practice artistic skills.

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Step-by-step guide to draw a manga girl character

What you need
Eraser, markers, paper, pencil, sharpener

Step 1

Draw a light circle to make the top of the head.

Step 2

Draw a straight vertical line down the middle of the circle to split the face.

Step 3

Draw a horizontal eye line slightly below the middle of the circle to place the eyes.

Step 4

Draw two slanted jaw lines from the sides of the circle down to a small chin to shape the face.

Step 5

Draw two large almond-shaped eyes on the eye line spaced about one eye-width apart.

Step 6

Draw a small dash for the nose halfway between the eye line and the chin.

Step 7

Draw a small curved mouth a little above the chin.

Step 8

Draw eyebrows above each eye and tilt them a bit to help set the character’s emotion.

Step 9

Draw the ears between the eye line and the bottom of the circle.

Step 10

Draw two short lines below the jaw for the neck and add gentle shoulder curves.

Step 11

Lightly mark the hairline where the forehead will meet the hair.

Step 12

Draw the hairstyle with big flowing shapes and bangs that frame the face.

Step 13

Erase extra sketch lines so only the clean drawing remains.

Step 14

Color your drawing with markers using light base colors then add darker strokes near roots and under the chin for shading and leave tiny white spots for highlights.

Step 15

Share your finished Manga Girl character on DIY.org.

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

What can we use if we don't have markers or an eraser?

If you don't have markers, use colored pencils or crayons for the coloring step and use a soft HB pencil for your initial sketch and a kneaded eraser to lift extra sketch lines.

My character's eyes look uneven or the chin is too pointy—how do I fix it?

Use the light circle plus the straight vertical center line and horizontal eye line from steps 1–3 as guides, lightly reposition the almond-shaped eyes one eye-width apart and gently redraw the slanted jaw lines to soften the small chin before erasing and inking.

How can I adapt this activity for different ages?

For younger kids, focus on drawing the big circle, simple eyes and a smile (steps 1, 5, 7) with crayons, school-age kids can follow the full step sequence to practice jaw lines and hair shapes, and older kids or teens can add advanced marker shading (light base then darker strokes near roots and under the chin) and fine highlights.

How can we make the finished Manga Girl more unique or advanced?

Personalize the character by changing the hairstyle shapes in step 14, adding accessories or a patterned background after erasing extra sketch lines, enhancing depth with the marker shading and tiny white highlights from the coloring step, and then share it on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to draw a manga girl character

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Facts about manga drawing and character design for kids

✏️ Many manga artists start with pencil sketches, erase and refine, then finish by inking with markers or pens.

⏱️ Professional mangaka sometimes produce 15–20 pages per week under tight deadlines for weekly magazines.

🖼️ Manga characters often have much larger eyes than real life to convey emotion clearly on the page.

🎨 Shōjo manga styles emphasize sparkle, long eyelashes, and flowing hair to create dreamy, expressive girls.

🎭 The three-quarter face angle is a manga favorite because it shows depth and expression with just a few lines.

How do I draw a manga girl character step-by-step?

Start by lightly drawing a circle for the head and add a vertical center line and a horizontal eye line one-third down. Sketch jaw shape and place large expressive eyes along the eye line, a small nose and mouth below. Add eyebrows and hairline, then block in hairstyle and clothing. Refine proportions, erase guidelines, ink final lines with a fine marker, let ink dry, erase pencil, and color with markers, adding shadows and highlights for depth.

What materials do I need to draw a manga girl?

You’ll need: HB pencil or mechanical pencil, soft eraser and kneaded eraser, smooth drawing paper or sketchbook, fine-tipped black marker or pen for inking, colored markers or colored pencils for coloring, pencil sharpener, ruler (for guidelines), and optional blending stump or white gel pen for highlights. Keep a scrap sheet for testing colors. Use washable markers for younger kids and a protective mat to avoid marker bleed.

What ages is drawing a manga girl suitable for?

This activity suits children roughly ages 7 to 14. Younger kids (6–8) can practice simplified faces and basic hair shapes with close supervision; ages 9–11 can work on proportions, expressions, and inking; 12–14 can refine details, advanced hairstyles, and coloring techniques. Adjust complexity to skill level, offer tracing or templates for beginners, and supervise marker use. Individual readiness varies, so focus on encouragement and gradual skill-building.

What are the benefits of drawing manga girl characters for kids?

Drawing manga girls improves fine motor control, observation of facial proportions, and emotional expression through varied eyes and mouths. It supports patience, visual storytelling, color theory basics, and confidence as skills improve. Group drawing or sharing progress builds social skills and constructive feedback. For added safety, use non-toxic, washable supplies. Encourage practice, praise effort, and mix step-by-step instruction with creative variations to keep learning fun and motivatin
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