You came here because you want to learn how to draw chibi and you surely want to see chibi drawing tutorials.
But before that, what does it come to your mind when someone says chibi? Is it a cute chibi creature? In fact, chibi is a very specific term, and most of the time, it reminds us of chibi drawings with large heads on tiny bodies, wide-open eyes, and cute chibi faces.
But the cute chibi drawings have a meaning other than the entertaining one – the word chibi is an antique Japanese word, and has a lot of translations. For those who do not know what it means, chibi is a Japanese term for small (person).
The most common use of its meaning is of a deformed character that looks like a child. Aaaaand for those who know what a chibi is (probably those of you who like manga and anime), I prepared here a collection of the most interesting tutorials available that will teach you how to create chibi drawings.
Image source: Stéphanie Forbes
And if that’s not enough, there’s also a gallery after the tutorials in which you’ll find artwork representing your favorite characters, Sakura, Inuyasha, Sasuke, Kakashi, Naruto or even Sailor Moon. In this way, the “how to draw a chibi” question is even easier to answer.
How to draw Chibi: Chibi drawing tutorial examples
Even when trying to draw the perfect chibi, you don’t have to make it super deformed. There are many ways to make your own chibi: you can get inspired by authors who like them round and short, or prefer the taller and slimmer chibis.
The decision is up to your taste and style, but in order to know what you’re doing, we recommend you to try out several different versions and choose the type that looks the closest to your favorite chibi drawing.
The common mistake here is that amateur artists perceive chibi to be a simple a task, and undermine important details just because of the fact chibi is smaller than a normal person. Of course, you won’t have enough space to replicate every part of the chibi body, but you can at least try to include all parts that are important.
To skip making serious mistakes, look at the full-sized character, and note down all important details to be included in the chibi version of it.
How to draw chibi face
As chibi characters are small, the most important tip to remember from this chibi tutorial is to give the face the attention it deserves and to draw it as large as possible.
Round shapes should do for the purpose, but you’re perfectly allowed to alter them according to the look you’re trying to obtain for your anime chibis.
The head, in general, allows more variations than the face. You can use any shape for it, including rounded blobs, rectangles, or even square blocks.
Instead of bothering too much about your chibi proportions, think about the expression: Do you like chibi characters whose cheeks swell up like squirrels? Why not use them? In fact, this is very recommendable technique for making characters look younger and childish.
In order to make your chibi unique, experiment and exaggerate as much as you can. Try to replicate all important characteristics, including large chibi eyes, droopy chin, wrinkly skin, round nose, a full chibi mouth and an interesting chibi hairstyle. The ultimate aim of chibi art is to make the character as funny as possible.
How to draw chibi eyes
Another thing to remember from this chibi drawing tutorial is that eyes need to be large. In case you’ve decided to make them smaller, try at least to make them more character-specific.
When thinking about how to draw chibi eyes, include as many details as you can. Even if you perceive the task as simple, the details may be more challenging than you expected: Will there be a fold above the lids?
Are you going to include eyelashes?
Which is the best way to shade the irises to resemble the light reflection pattern?
Are there any larger wrinkles to include?
The expressions are the core of your anime chibi drawing, but they are hardly ever realistic. Therefore, use your imagination and play around instead of worrying whether your character looks genuine or not.
Chibi Eyes Tutorial
How to draw chibi nose
The nose is will hardly ever distinguish your chibi character, which is why many artists decide to take care of it at the very end.
Some of them, as you had the chance to see, would even scratch a small triangle or a dot where the nose is supposed to be. Still, skipping this step will depend only on whether the nose is originally specific, which is why we recommend you to check out some specific drawings.
If the decision to skip the nose is still at stake, think of a symbol you can use to replace it. Our recommendation is to use short lines (shorter than -), dots, circles, or small triangles in your chibi sketch.
On the other hand, if the nose is there and you want to replicate it, make it small and cute. Female chibi characters, in particular, have to have a likable nose, while the general rule is for the nose to ‘grow’ as the character decreases.
How to draw chibi mouth
Chibi mouths can either be a simple line or a stylized and carefully executed part of your chibi.
Before you’ve started thinking about it, look at the character whose chibi you’ll be drawing: Are there any oversized canine teeth? How does the tongue look? All of these elements will be critical when conveying your chibi’s emotions.
What can be learned from chibi anime drawings is that facial features are perfectly capable of drawing out actions, which is something that can’t happen in real life. For instance, they show you that the mouth can be extra opened while yawning, or that there are lip lines that can capture the very exact moment of sneezing.
How to draw chibi ears
Ears will spare you some of the trouble, as you will rarely be expected to include the inner details on your chibi person.
Even manga artists simplify them and play around the outer shape to make it incompatible with the lobe size.
How to draw chibi hair
You might be wondering how to draw chibi hairstyles. Well, you’re given plenty of freedom to draw the hair as you want, and in a way that suits your idea the best.
Curly, straight, short, long – everything is allowed!
The core idea of drawing a chibi was to portray individual characteristics in a funny way, which is exactly why there are no rules for drawing the chibi’s hair. A cute chibi girl, for example, may have a shaggy haircut or a long ponytail. The choice is yours.
Chibi Lineart Tutorial
Chibi Hair Tutorial
How to draw chibi body
The proportions come only after you’ve displayed the specific facial layout, as they are the easiest part to reproduce. After this, you can focus on the chibi anatomy.
Ideally, the ratio between the body and the head should be 1:1 or 1:4, the head being the bigger part, and the legs being distinctively short. When drawing chibi characters you can use a range of different poses. You could draw an anime girl bowing or a chibi holding something. You could draw your chibi sitting down or create a simple chibi drawing.
Chibi and Anatomy Tutorial
Chibi Tutorial
Another chibi Tutorial
Kitanya’s Shark Chibi Tutorial
Chibi Tutorial
Chibi Tutorial
Charming Chibi Tutorial
Chibi Tutorial
Chibi tutorial 1
Chibi Car – Sketch Tutorial
Chibi Car – Colouring Tutorial
Chibi Hand Tutorial
Chibi Tutorial
Chibi Tutorial
Chibi Tutorial
How I draw chibi girl
Chibi Tutorial – super deform
Ghetto chibi tutorial
Chibi Tutorial
Capsicum’s Chibi Tutorial
Chibi Tutorial
Now let’s see some fine piece of work by different artists. Enjoy the chibi pictures:
Chibi
Chibi House
Chibi Fruit Ninja-Naruto
Ellen Nightly Chibi
Chibi Fruit Ninja – Itachi
Saix Chibi
Chibi Fruit Ninja – Temari
Chibi Fruit Ninja – Sasori
Chibi Fruit Ninja – Deidara
Chibi Fruit Ninja – Orochimaru
Chibi Feral
Chibi Fruit Ninja Tenten
Chibi Fruit Ninja Neji
Chibi Fruit Ninja Yondaime
Chibi Fruit Ninja Sasuke
Chibi Fruit Ninja Shikamaru
Chibi Harry Potter
Chibi Sephiroth
Chibi gaara
Chibi near
Chibi rabbit
Chibi Spock
Chibi L
Chibi Aerith
Naruto: Chibi Kitsu – Naruto
Akatsuki Naruto Chibi
Sitting Inuyasha
Inuyasha Chibi – Miroku
Chibi Fruit Ninja – Sakura
Chibi Fruit Ninja – Kakashi
Death Note Chibi
The definition of chibi
In Japanese slang, chibi can be translated as short or small, and it originates from the words “Chitchanabito” or “Chitchana no Hito”. Interestingly enough, Japanese people call children chibi, probably to indicate that they’re ‘small humans’. For what is worth, anime and manga fans seem to really adore this term.
For them, chibi is the word used to describe an animal or a person who is smaller than the rest of his group which means one could use it to describe something that is little or short. Still, it would be a big mistake to say that for an adult in Japan, since they have a rather cute word for the purpose called chiisana.
To be more precise, the word that brought ‘chibi’ in the Western world was the ‘Chibiusa’, the diminutive name of Sailor Moon’s daughter which is nowadays used for pets. Similarly, the Japanese call their pets ChibiUsagi (meaning little rabbit).
The English-speaking manga fandom (otaku) and anime prefer to use chibi for significantly deformed characters. Chibi anime characters often have oversized heads and bodies that are deformed. More often than rare, to draw a chibi means to draw a child as well.
Artists usually draw chibi to depict humorous and cute scenes, but that’s most of the time a single drawing rather than a complete anime series. The common users are ONAs, OVAs, manga, and Maruko-chan inspired series.
FAQ about chibi drawing tutorials
What’s the best way to start learning chibi drawing?
Well, my friend, the key is to begin with the basics. Start by familiarizing yourself with chibi proportions and the typical large head-to-body ratio. It’s good to practice simple shapes and body structures first. Look for beginner-friendly tutorials online, and try out different drawing styles to find the one that suits you best. And of course, practice, practice, practice!
How can I make my chibis look more expressive?
Ah, that’s a fun one! To give your chibis more personality, focus on their facial expressions and body language. Play around with different eye shapes, mouth positions, and eyebrow placements. You can even exaggerate these features for more impact. Remember, chibis are all about cuteness, so make sure to keep it light-hearted and adorable.
What materials do I need for chibi drawing?
You know what, you don’t need anything fancy to get started. Just grab some pencil and paper! As you progress, you may want to invest in drawing pens, markers, or even a drawing tablet for digital art. But for now, keep it simple and focus on honing your skills.
How do I draw chibi hair?
Oh, chibi hair can be a bit tricky, but it’s all about breaking it down into manageable sections. Start by sketching the hairline and then create the larger shapes that make up the overall hairstyle. Add details like individual strands and highlights to give it texture and depth. Remember, chibi hair should be exaggerated and playful, so don’t be afraid to go big!
Can I draw chibi animals or objects?
Absolutely! Chibi style isn’t limited to humans. You can apply the same cute proportions and exaggerated features to animals, objects, or even mythical creatures. Just make sure to maintain the signature chibi look with large heads, small bodies, and expressive faces.
What are common chibi body proportions?
Chibi proportions are distinctly different from regular human proportions. Typically, a chibi character’s head is about one-third to one-half the height of their entire body. This gives them that cute, child-like appearance. Keep limbs short and stubby, and don’t forget those oversized eyes!
How can I improve my chibi drawing skills?
To improve, it’s essential to practice consistently. Draw as much as you can and experiment with different techniques. Learn from other artists by studying their work and trying out their methods. And don’t be too hard on yourself; progress takes time, so be patient and enjoy the journey.
Can I create my own chibi characters?
Of course! That’s the beauty of art; you can create anything you imagine. Just remember to maintain chibi proportions and characteristics when designing your original characters. Play around with different outfits, hairstyles, and expressions to make them truly unique.
Are there any good chibi drawing tutorials online?
Yes, there are tons of resources available online. Look for tutorials on YouTube, DeviantArt, Pinterest, or even Instagram. Many skilled artists share their knowledge and techniques through step-by-step guides or video demonstrations. Find the ones that resonate with you and learn from them.
How do I add color to my chibi drawings?
Coloring your chibi drawings can be done in many ways. You can use colored pencils, markers, or even digital tools. Start by laying down flat colors as your base, then add shading and highlights to create depth. Experiment with different color palettes and blending techniques to find the style that works best for you.
Ending thoughts on how to draw chibi
There is no universal rule that can tell you how your chibi people should look – it all depends on your style and creativity, as it is your talent that will make you competitive in comparison to other chibi artists. The more you personalize your art, the bigger the chances are you’ll be acknowledged for your chibi characters.
Some chibi characters are small and round, while others are tall and slim. Yours should be the way you prefer them to be, including a version of the two, or a messy mixture between them. Before you’ve finalized the project, try various styles, and look for the one that comes closest to your vision. Your chibi style is your choice. You can create cute chibi drawings or deformed chibi styles.
However, remember that well-drawn chibi characters are nothing alike wobbly doodles, so take proper care of every detail! We wish you a lot of success, and remind you to enjoy every step of the process!
If you liked this article on how to draw chibi, you should check out these as well:
- The Best Drawing Tutorials: Learn How To Draw
- How to draw anime: learn to do anime drawings
- How To Draw Manga: Characters, Body, Face, And More