How to Draw Anime Eyes With a “Cold” Expression
This guide shows how to draw anime eyes with a “cold” unfriendly expression in an easy to follow step by step manner.
Drawing eyes similar to those in this example can show several emotions including: disgust, anger, hate and apathy. Some characters in anime and manga (especially villains or “Yandere characters”) can also have this as a permanent or semi-permanent look.
For drawing different kinds of anime characters see:
How to Draw Anime Characters Tutorial
For drawing these eyes with their normal/relaxed expression see:
How to Draw Anime Eyes (Normal Expression)
When the instructions below say to draw parts of the eyes differently than normal (eyebrows raised for example) they are referring to the example in the link above.
Overall, this guide is quite easy because eyes with a “cold” expression require fewer details (as is explained later on). However, it’s still recommended that you do the drawing in pencil to be able to correct mistakes (unless working digitally).
Above is a video that show how to draw anime or manga yes with a “cold” expression line by line. The video is quite short so you can quickly watch it and then read the more in depth instructions below.
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Step 1 – Outline the Shape of the Eyes (Lower Eyelids Slightly Raised)
First, outline the overall shape of the eyes. One small but important detail for showing a “cold” expression is to have the lower eyelids slightly raised. Do this by drawing the lower parts of the eye outlines curved slightly upwards.
Space the eyes roughly far enough apart that you have the distance of the width of one eye in between them.
Step 2 – Outline the Eyelashes
The outlines from the previous step define the outer shapes of the eyelashes. Define the inner shapes of the upper eyelashes as shown above. Basically, just make them much thicker as is common in anime.
Step 3 – Draw the Irises
Draw the irises of the eyes with a good portions of their upper parts covered by the eyelids. The bottom ends should be slightly covered as well (as mentioned the lower eyelids should be slightly raised).
As these are anime eyes make the pupils oval in shape (vertically stretched compared to real eyes).
Step 4 – Draw the Eyebrows (Inner Ends Slightly Raised)
Draw the eyebrows with their inner ends slightly raised. Make their overall shapes slightly thicker towards their inner ends.
For more ways to draw anime style brows see:
How to Draw Anime & Manga Eyebrows
Step 5 – Draw the Pupils (Smaller Than Normal)
For a “cold”/less friendly look draw the pupils smaller than normal. Make them oval in shape similar to the irises. Also, don’t add any reflections inside the eyes. This is a very important aspect of showing this particular expression.
Reflections will generally make the eyes appear more friendly and “lively”. No reflections will make them appear “flat” and apathetic.
Step 6 – Draw the Eyelids
There is nothing particularly different about the eyelids for the “cold” expression. Simply hint at them being there by drawing small curves near the inner end of each eye.
Step 7 – Add Hints of Individual Lashes
For the last set of details add some hints of individual lashes along the outer upper corners of each eye. Make them fairly thick with pointy outer tips. Also draw each lash to be slightly curved.
Again, there is nothing especially different about drawing the eyelashes for this particular expression.
For a guide on drawing anime eyelashes see:
How to Draw Anime Eyelashes Step by Step
Step 8 – Shade the Drawing
Finally, shade or color the drawing. Again, as the eyes with the cold expression require very little detail this is super simple. Just fill in the pupils, eyelashes and eyebrows with black or dark pencil shading and make the irises grey or whatever color you prefer.
The color/shading will particularly emphasize the “flat” look and help bring out the “cold” and apathetic expression of the eyes.
Conclusion – Drawing Anime Eyes With a “Cold” Look is Quite Easy
Drawing anime eyes to show a “cold”, disgusted, or apathetic expression can be fairly easy in comparison to showing some other emotions because the “cold” expression usally requires fewer details.
As already mentioned, by not adding any reflections you can help and give the eyes a “flat” appearance which will in turn help create an uncaring and unfriendly look.
For the opposite of the “cold” expression see:
How to Draw Anime “Love Eyes” (With Hearts)
For more ways to draw anime eyes with various expression also see:
For a guide on structuring and drawing than entire anime style face see:
How to Draw an Anime Face (Structure & Proportions)
