How to Draw Closed Anime Eyes Step by Step

Posted on by animeoutline

This tutorial shows how to draw closed anime or manga eyes. The guide consist of six steps with illustrated examples and a line by line drawing video.

This type of an eye expression can be used to show eyes that are closed in a relaxed state. For example this can be an anime/manga character that is sleeping, meditating or trying to focus on something.

For the open variation of these eyes see:

How to Draw Anime Eyes (Normal Expression)

For a guide on more ways to draw closed anime eyes also see:

How to Draw Closed, Closing & Squinted Anime Eyes

The example is very simple but if you are going to be following along you do so in pencil (unless drawing digitally). Also, be sure to make light and easy to erase lines. You can darken them as explained in in the last step of the tutorial (when all parts of the eyes are outlined).

Above is a short video that shows how to draw the relaxed closed eyes line by line. You can watch it for a more in depth view at the drawing process.

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Step 1 – Draw the Outlines of the Eyelashes

The most important part of defining closed anime eyes (such as those in this example) are the eyelashes. Begin by outlining their overall shapes as shown (curved downwards).

For drawing these same eyes when they are open see:

How to Draw Anime Eyes (Normal Expression)

Space the eyelashes/eyes in a way where you can fit another one in between them (roughly).

For proportion recommendations for drawing an entire anime face see:

How to Draw an Anime Face (Structure & Proportions)

Step 2 – Draw the Eyebrows

For eyes in this state draw the eyebrows with their inner ends slightly raised. It’s also important to estimate where the upper ends of the eyes would be if they were open and draw the eyebrows in relation to that. Otherwise you might end up positioning them lower down than they should be.

Step 3 – Draw the Outer Lashes

Closed anime eyes outer eyelashes drawing

Add some hints of individual lashes at the outer ends of each eye. As these are anime eyes you can make the lashes fairly thick with pointy tips. Also, draw each lash to be slightly curved.

Step 4 – Draw the Inner Lashes

Add a more lashes towards the inner end of each eye. Make these smaller than the outer lashes and draw fewer of them.

Step 5 – Draw the Eyelids

Finally draw the eyelids. Define their upper ends with a pair of short curves positioned slightly above where the upper ends of the eyes would be if the eyes were open. Afterwards define the lower parts of the eyelids as a pair of longer curves positioned just above the eyelashes.

Step 6 – Shade or Color the Closed Eyes Drawing

To shade the drawing of the closed eyes you really just fill the entire shapes of the eyelashes and eyebrows with black. Also, darken the lines that define the eyelids.

Closed anime eyes eyelashes outline drawing

If you want to have a colored drawing instead erase the parts of the main eyelash outlines where the individual lashes are attached to them. Afterwards, trace over the entire drawing with darker lines.

Fill the eyelashes and eyebrows with the desired color as in the example to finish the drawing. Alternatively, you can also use a light grey instead if you wish to keep it black and white.

Conclusion

Drawing a pair of closed eyes in the anime or manga style is quite easy as there is no need to add a lot of the details that you would have to if they were open.

As was already mentioned, this guide shows how to draw the closed eyes in a relaxed state. For an example of drawing closed eyes with a different kind of expression see:

How to Draw Happy Anime or Manga Eyes

For drawing these eyes with even more expressions and for other guides to drawing in the anime and manga style see: