Welcome to our step-by-step drawing tutorial on how to draw Leafa from Sword Art Online. In this tutorial, we’ll guide you through the process of creating your own artwork of Leafa, the cousin and adoptive sister of Kirigaya Kazuto. This is the second tutorial dedicated to drawing Leafa, focusing on her standing straight in a front view, holding her flower-like hairband on her finger. If you want to sketch her in full growth, here’s the link to the first guide.
Appearance and Story of Leafa
Kirigaya Suguha, known as Leafa in ALfheim Online (ALO), is a prominent character in the Sword Art Online series. She appears more like an adult in ALO, with bright green eyes and white and green clothes. Her long blond hair, often adorned with a flower-like hairband, adds to her distinctive look. As a skilled Sylph warrior, Leafa explores the virtual world of ALO with a passion for flight, earning her the nickname “Speedaholic.” She plays an important role in the Fairy Dance Arc and reoccurs throughout the series.
Recommended Tools
- Pencil (preferably HB or 2B)
- Eraser
- Sketching paper
- Fineliner or pen for inking (optional)
- Coloring materials of your choice (colored pencils, markers, or digital drawing tools)
Step-by-Step Drawing Guide
Before we begin, let’s understand the basic structure of this tutorial. The tutorial consists of a series of images that illustrate each step of the drawing process. The red color in the image indicates the current drawing step, while the grey color represents the basic proportions sketch. The black lines show the previously drawn elements. Let’s get started!
Part 1: Basic Sketch
In this initial step, use light pencil strokes to create the basic structure of Leafa’s pose. Focus on capturing the overall proportions and position of her body, as well as the placement of her facial features. Remember, this is the foundation of your drawing, so take your time and make adjustments as needed.
Part 2: Refining the Sketch
Once you’re satisfied with the basic sketch, it’s time to refine the details and improve the proportions. Add more definition to Leafa’s facial features, hair, and clothing. Pay attention to small details like her flower-like hairband on her finger and a questioning expression on her face. Take your time to achieve the desired level of accuracy.
Part 3: Inking
If you prefer, you can use a fineliner or pen to ink your drawing. Outline the finalized sketch, emphasizing the main lines and adding depth where necessary. You can also erase any remaining pencil lines once the ink has dried. Inking gives your artwork a clean and finished look.
Part 4: Coloring and Shading
Now it’s time to bring Leafa to life by adding color and shading. Use colored pencils, markers, or your preferred digital drawing tools to carefully color her hair, eyes, clothing, and other elements in your drawing. Consider light sources and add shading to create depth and dimension. Experiment with different techniques to achieve the desired effect.
If you want to see drawing guides in motion, the SketchOk YouTube channel posts new video tutorials as they’re produced, which can make tricky details a lot easier to follow. Now that you know how to draw a portrait of Leafa, feel free to share what you came up with in the comments on the Pinterest post for this guide. You can also sign up for the weekly email digest using the form at the top of the page to catch new guides as they go up.