What to Draw Today: Anime Ideas & Inspiration

Feeling creatively inspired today and wondering, "What should I draw in anime style?" You're in the right place! Anime offers a vast world of characters, themes, and techniques to explore. Let's delve into some exciting ideas and tips to spark your artistic journey.

Anime's diversity allows you to draw anything from fantastical creatures to everyday life scenes. To help you decide, let's explore two main topics: popular anime genres and unique drawing techniques.

Popular Anime Genres to Draw

Anime spans various genres, each with its unique visual style. Exploring these can help you find your niche and inspire your next drawing.

Anime genres also dictate the type of characters, settings, and storylines you might want to draw. Let's look at two popular genres and their sub-topics.

Shonen - Action-Packed Adventures

Shonen anime is known for its action-packed storylines and powerful characters. Drawing shonen-style art involves dynamic poses, detailed muscles, and expressive faces.

Some popular shonen series to draw inspiration from include "Naruto," "One Piece," and "My Hero Academia." You could draw epic battle scenes, character showdowns, or even everyday life moments with a shonen twist.

Shojo - Emotional and Heartwarming Stories

Shojo anime focuses on romantic relationships, emotional growth, and beautiful, often intricate, character designs. Drawing shojo-style art requires an eye for delicate features, flowing clothing, and expressive emotions.

Iconic shojo series like "Sailor Moon," "Fruits Basket," and "Ouran High School Host Club" offer a wealth of inspiration. You might draw tender moments between characters, beautiful landscapes, or intricate fashion designs.

Unique Drawing Techniques in Anime

Anime art isn't limited to one style. Experimenting with different techniques can help you stand out and find your unique artistic voice.

Let's explore two unique drawing techniques that you can incorporate into your anime art.

Chibi Style - Adorable and Cute

Chibi is a popular style in anime that features characters with oversized heads, large eyes, and simplified features. This style is perfect for creating cute, adorable, and often humorous art.

To draw in chibi style, start by sketching an oversized head, then add a small, simplified body. Draw large, expressive eyes, and keep details to a minimum. You can apply this style to any anime character or create original chibi characters.

Ukiyo-e Inspired Art - Traditional Meets Anime

Ukiyo-e is a type of Japanese woodblock printing and painting that flourished from the 17th to 19th centuries. Incorporating ukiyo-e elements into your anime art can create striking, unique pieces.

To draw ukiyo-e inspired anime art, study traditional ukiyo-e prints for inspiration. Focus on bold outlines, vibrant colors, and stylized characters. You can also incorporate traditional Japanese elements like fans, kimonos, or cherry blossoms into your art.

Now that you've explored popular anime genres and unique drawing techniques, it's time to pick up your pencil or open your digital art software and create something amazing! Don't be afraid to experiment and make your art truly your own. Happy drawing!