Here’s a guide on how to draw Jinshi from The Apothecary Diaries in 18 steps. His design balances elegance and strength, with flowing robes, refined posture, and long hair framing a striking face. Following the steps carefully makes it easier to capture his graceful presence without losing the structure beneath the details.
Breaking Down Jinshi’s Appearance
- Face: his face is delicate and feminine, yet with subtle masculine strength.
- Hair: long and silky, tied in a half-back style with smooth strands flowing over the shoulders.
- Eyes: obsidian in the anime, stylized as pink in the light novel; calm and alluring.
- Expression: a gentle smile for public appearances, soft but captivating.
- Outfit: traditional court official robes with long, wide sleeves and layered folds.
Jinshi is the deuteragonist of The Apothecary Diaries, often requesting Maomao’s help in solving mysteries within the Imperial Palace. His beauty is legendary, described as almost dangerous – and combined with his composed demeanor, he stands out among other officials. When you sketch him full body, take a look at his chibi version.
How the 18-Step Guide Works
- Red Color: shows the new lines for the current step.
- Black Color: the lines from previous steps.
- Grey Color: forms the base sketch for proportions.


















Once the Jinshi drawing is finished, share it in the comments on Pinterest, many artists enjoy posting their versions there. More step-by-step guides are shared regularly across social media, with new drawing videos on YouTube every other day.