1. Basic Shapes and Anatomy:
* Start with a Circle: Begin with a simple circle to represent the skull.
* Add the Jaw: Draw a slightly curved line for the jawline, connecting to the bottom of the circle.
* Define the Nose: Position the nose on the face. It can be a snout, a human-like nose, or something unique to your creature.
* Place the Eyes: The eyes are typically placed about halfway between the top of the head and the bottom of the jaw. Consider your character's expression and personality when positioning them.
* Add Ears: Ears can be positioned above the eyes, on the sides of the head, or even on the top. Consider the animal you're drawing and how its ears would be placed.
2. Refine the Facial Features:
* Nose: Refine the shape of the nose, adding details like nostrils or a bridge.
* Eyes: Add irises, pupils, and eyelids. Consider the size, shape, and direction of the eyes to convey emotions.
* Mouth: Draw the mouth, including lips, teeth, or a tongue. You can create a variety of expressions by adjusting the position of the mouth.
* Cheeks: Add subtle curves to the cheeks to give the face volume and dimension.
3. Add Details and Texture:
* Fur/Hair: Draw fur or hair depending on your creature. Use varying line weights and hatching to create texture.
* Markings: Consider adding stripes, spots, scales, or other unique markings to your character.
* Facial Expressions: Experiment with different eyebrow shapes, mouth positions, and eye angles to convey a variety of emotions.
4. Important Tips:
* Reference: Study real animal faces for inspiration. Pay attention to their unique features and how they express different emotions.
* Proportion: Maintain the proper proportions between the features to create a believable and aesthetically pleasing character.
* Simplicity: Start with simple shapes and gradually add details. Don't be afraid to simplify features to achieve a stylized look.
* Personality: Think about the personality and character of your creature. How can you use facial features to express this?
Examples of Anthropomorphic Character Styles:
* Realistic: These characters are often very detailed and anatomically accurate, with more human-like features.
* Cartoon: Cartoonish characters are often exaggerated and stylized, with simplified features and bold lines.
* Anime/Manga: Anthropomorphic characters in anime and manga often have large eyes, small mouths, and exaggerated features.
* Unique Styles: There are endless possibilities for creating unique and original styles.
Remember, the key to drawing anthropomorphic character heads is to have fun and be creative! Experiment with different styles, techniques, and features to develop your own unique approach.