Now, we're going to learn some things about the face. In my opinion, the face is the most important part of the character, as it includes the eyes and the mouth - the two factors that all artists rely on to express their characters' feelings and  expressions.

  As you all might know, the anime face has it's own cute style; and depending on the outlines of the face, the contents are drawn.

  Generally, let's categorize the anime face into two styles:
1-Pure Anime Style
2-Semi-Realistic Anime Style.
(Please note that I made up those nominations.)

  So...what's the difference between these two styles? In fact, their names explain everything. Take a look at these two face sketches:

  Surely, both pictures are of anime faces, but you can see a major difference in the outlines of their faces. The one to the left represents the first style - the Pure Anime style. The girl has a relatively wide/flat face. She also has sharp-edged cheeks and chin. Sometimes, this type of face results in big eyes. Contrary, the second picture represents the second style. Note that her cheeks and chin are drawn with smooth curves; There are barley sharp-edged lines drawn in this style. Also, if you choose to draw this style, then you have to draw relatively small eyes because you're restricted in the curved area of the eye (the curve that starts from the eyebrow to the cheek - where the curly arrow points XD~). Try drawing eyes like those of the first picture in this semi-realistic style, and you'll get an ugly creature >_<

  Now, when you want to sketch a face, it's better to draw it in steps. First, you have to draw an oval and put the eyes, nose, and mouth guidelines on it, as shown in the picture to the left. Don't mind getting the exact proportions in this step; you can always edit it when you want to put more details.

  Then, create your face according to the position and direction of the oval. The oval to the left shows that the face is looking up at an angle - The colored guidelines tell me this; so, when you do the face, you have to consider this. Draw all the curves needed in this step (including the whole head) but DON'T draw the hair yet. Make her bald.
Usually, the oval becomes bigger than the size of the face you want (although you think that you're going to draw it exactly the same size.) In this case, just use the guidelines you created and the direction if the oval as your guide, as I did in this picture.

  Draw the eyes, nose and the mouth accordingly, and complete the neck and shoulders if you want.
Finally, draw the hair. Since the girl to the left has a tilted-up face, then I had to be careful as to where place the beginning of her hair which had to be covered by her forehead.

  Drawing the oval shape and determining the three main guidelines before really sketching your detailed face help in getting the right proportions at the end, and gives you more control on your face's position.

  Front view: To draw the front view of the face, draw the oval shape, then draw a vertical line right in the middle of it. Again, this will give you control on your proportions later on. Now draw the guidelines of your eyes, nose, and mouth, as shown in the picture to the right. Try to get the eyes' guidelines in the right place; the nose and mouth are much easier to edit and change/displace than the eyes.

  Now draw the face, with curves on the chin, cheeks, and the eye area (additional). Draw the eyes according to your guidelines; they have to be almost identical in size since it's a front view. When drawing the nose of a front view, you have to be careful. What I did in this picture is not quite right. It's better to leave it shadeless, and only add the two holes ^^; Because in this way, it seems that you're looking at the girl from a small angel, right? Anyways, add the mouth and whatever you want in this step, except the hair. You can also add her ears.

  Now you can add the hair in whatever style you wish! Add more details, erase your guidelines and mess, and you're done! =P

  Profile: The base for drawing all face views is the oval shape. So to draw a profile view, start with the oval. Decide where the ear will be, and then draw your guidelines (for the eye, nose, and mouth), as shown in this sketch. To make it easier for me to draw the nose later, I made the nose's guideline exceed my oval base. To be honest, drawing a profile view using this method is much harder than using it for the front view. That's because there are many curves and salient parts to be drawn than the front view (e.g. the nose and lips/forehead and chin).

  Now replace your normal, ovalish lines with your face's features. Starting from the top, draw a good, curved forehead, go slightly inwards towards the eye, then draw the nose, draw your full, curved lips, and finally draw the chin.
Note that I didn't use the whole area of the oval; you can always edit the size 'till it fits with the body's size.

  You can now draw the eye according to your guideline, and add the hair. Erase any extra lines and you're done!

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