Drawing Shoes From The Front

This tutorial show how to draw different kinds of anime shoes with three different views for each shoe type. The examples are of running shoes, high heel shoes, school shoes, boots, slippers and sandals.

The examples in this tutorial represent some of the most commonly seen varieties of foot ware in anime and manga. The tutorial also shows some of the more often seen views/angles they tend to be drawn from. In this case the examples are of front, 3/4 and side views.

Drawing Anime Running Shoes Step by Step

Anime running shoes drawing step by step

The first example in this tutorial are the running shoes. They are fairly simple to draw but often tend to have more details than other shoes types due to their more complex designs.

Step 1 – Estimate the Position of the Feet

Before drawing the shoes it's a good idea to at least estimate the position of the feet inside of them. In the case of running shoes the feet will be in pretty much their natural standing position (flat along the ground). This way you will be able to better judge the size of the shoes as well as how they should sit on the foot.

Please note that you do not need to fully draw out the feet with all of the toes every time you want to draw shoes. You can make quick sketch of their outline shape as in the example above.

If drawing on paper be sure to draw the foot with very light lines that you can easily erase after you draw the shoe.

For some more good drawing practices also see:

Beginner Guide to Drawing Anime & Manga

Step 2 – Draw the Outline of the Shoes

Around/on top of the shape of the feet draw the outlines of the shoes with their largest and most important details.

Running shoes often have soft padding through them and thus tend to be somewhat thicker than other shoe types. For this reason you should draw their outline shape some distance away from the foot.

Erase the part of the foot covered by the shoes so that you have a clean drawing like the one in the above example.

Step 3 – Draw the Details of the Shoes

Add the smaller details and any design elements of the shoes to the drawing to finish it. In this case the details will help both make the shoe look more interesting and will help better define it's shape.

Drawing Anime High Heels Shoes Step by Step

Anime high heel shoes drawing step by step

High high heel shoes are another very common example of anime foot ware. They tend to have very few details but can present some other challenges when drawing them.

Step 1 – Estimate the Position of the Feet

Same as the previous example start by making a light outline drawing of the feet (the examples have dark lines so that you can better see them).

There are two things that present a bit of a challenge when getting the position of the foot for high heel shoes. One is that obviously the feet will be on their toes another is that the toes will often be squeezed together by the narrow tips of the shoes.

Showing that the feet are on their toes is not very difficult in the side or 3/4 views. However it can be a little more confusing in the front view. What you want to do in order to show this is to basically make the part of the foot between the toes and the bones protruding on each side of the foot longer in comparison to if you were drawing the same feet sitting flat on the ground.

The front view is also one where they squeezed toes will be the most obvious. The big toe will point more inwards towards what will be the tip of the shoes. The same goes for the toes on the other side. The toes in the middle of the foot will be pretty much unchanged.

Again keep in mind you do not necessarily need to draw out the toes before drawing the shoe but it's a good idea to have an understanding of what is happening with the feet before drawing shoes on them.

Step 2 – Draw the Outline of the Shoes

Anime high heel shoes see through drawing

High heel shoes usually tend to be fairly thin and so other than the sole which has some volume can be drawn almost directly up against the foot.

Similar to the first example you can again just draw the shoes over top of the outlines of the feet.

Step 3 – Draw the Details of the Shoes

Clean up the drawing by erasing the parts of the foot covered by the shoes and go over it with darker lines where needed. As there are not too many details to this high heel shoe design there are fewer steps to drawing them than the previous example.

Drawing Anime School Shoes Step by Step

Probably the most common shoe type seen in anime or manga revolving around school life. Anime and manga school shoes do have some variety in their design but usually they look similar to the example above.

Step 1 – Estimate the Position of the Feet

The female shoes like the ones in this example often have a slightly raised heel. This means the feet will be on a bit of angle when wearing them.

In the above example you can see the position of the foot when inside this type of shoe. Similar to the high heel example when drawing the foot in the front view make the area between the toes and the side bones slightly longer. This will help show that the heel is slightly raised. For the side and 3/4 views you can just draw the heel slightly higher up than normal.

Step 2 – Draw the Outline of the Shoes

Around/on top of the foot draw the outline and the major parts of the school shoes. As they are usually fairly thin leather you can draw them very close to the outline of the foot.

Erase the parts of the foot covered by the shoe once you draw it's main shape.

Step 3 – Draw the Details of the Shoes

Draw in the details such as the split between the sole and the rest of the shoe as well as lines to indicate where the different parts of the shoe are stitched together.

Drawing Anime Boots Step by Step

The boots are yet another example of foot ware commonly seen in anime and manga. Unlike the school/high heel shoes they tend to have a lot more variety. But in this case we will just go with fairly simple and generic looking leather boots.

Step 1 – Estimate the Position of the Feet

As these boots are not high heel the foot inside them will pretty much be flat along the ground.

Step 2 – Draw the Outline of the Boots

Once you sketch out the outline of the feet draw the outer shape of the boots around them. In this case the part of the shoe around the leg will be pretty close to it as leather is not a very thick material. However boots of this type (with no zipper or laces) will usually be more loose around the leg area to help a person get their foot in. To show this you can draw that part farther away from the leg.

Again erase the leg outline once you have the outline of the boots.

Step 3 – Draw the Details of the Boots

Add some basic details such as the sole and a few folds in the leather.

Drawing Anime Slippers Step by Step

Slippers as the ones in the example above are yet another very common foot ware item in anime and manga. Female characters often tend to ware them around the house

Step 1 – Draw the Feet

The foot inside the slippers will be in it's natural position flat along the ground.

Step 2 – Draw the Slippers

These types of slippers will basically consist of a fairly thin sole with a somewhat "puffy" front end. Draw the outline front part of the slipper a good distance away from the foot, especially the top part in side and 3/4 view.

Erase the front part of the feet covered by the slippers and you should be done with the drawing.

Drawing Anime Sandals Step by Step

The sandals are fairly common for anime characters going to the beach or just walking along the street during the summer.

Step 1 – Draw the Feet

The sandals will leave pretty much the whole foot visible so you will want to fully draw out the feet. In this case the feet will yet again be flat along the ground.

Step 2 – Draw the Sandals

Generally these types of sandals will simply consist of a sole and some bands going between the big toes and the rest. Draw the bands overlapping the drawing of the foot.

Erase the parts of the feet covered by the sandals and go over your drawing with darker lines to finish.

Conclusion

To draw any realistic styles of shoes (anime included) it's a good idea to have at least a basic understanding of the general shape of feet. As mentioned earlier you don't need to fully draw out the foot and every toe to draw shoes but it is a good idea to at least sketch out their basic outline shapes. This is especially so if you are a beginner artist looking to practice.

For more similar tutorials see:

How to Draw an Anime School Girl in 6 Steps

For drawing clothes see:

How to Draw Anime & Manga Clothes
How to Draw Anime Hats & Head Ware