You have worked on drawing the various features of the face. Now it is time for you to practice putting it all together! First, you need to understand the various shapes that the human face can have. Look carefully at these two images (you can enlarge them by clicking on them). Decide which face shape each person in the next exercise has.
This person's face is relatively the same length all the way around, and she has a strong jaw. This gives her face a square shape.
This person's face is relatively the same length all the way around, and she has a strong jaw. This gives her face a square shape.
This person's face is relatively the same length all the way around, and she has a strong jaw. This gives her face a square shape.
This person has a longer face that is slightly larger at the cheekbones. This creates a line that moves out from the top of her head and then back in towards her chin. This gives her a diamond-shaped face.
This person has a longer face that is slightly larger at the cheekbones. This creates a line that moves out from the top of her head and then back in towards her chin. This gives her a diamond-shaped face.
This person has a longer face that is slightly larger at the cheekbones. This creates a line that moves out from the top of her head and then back in towards her chin. This gives her a diamond-shaped face.
Here, the face is longer and softer with less definition in the jaw and cheekbones. This person has an oval face.
Here, the face is longer and softer with less definition in the jaw and cheekbones. This person has an oval face.
Here, the face is longer and softer with less definition in the jaw and cheekbones. This person has an oval face.
This person's face is not very elongated, and there is less definition in the jaw and cheekbone, which means they have a circle-shaped face.
This person's face is not very elongated, and there is less definition in the jaw and cheekbone, which means they have a circle-shaped face.
This person's face is not very elongated, and there is less definition in the jaw and cheekbone, which means they have a circle-shaped face.
You got # out of # correct. Click the Retry button for another attempt.
You got a perfect score. Great job!
Identifying the face shape is the first step in creating a portrait. It is the first shape you will draw. But remember that even if someone has a diamond-shaped face, it is still rounded out. Once you have the face shape right, then you need to figure out where the different features go. Click through the slides to learn more about facial guidelines and the steps for drawing a face.
Begin by adding the mid-line that runs horizontally down the middle of the face. If the face is turned at all, this line will round out as if it were making room for the nose. Since this is straight on, there is very little curve to the mid-line. Then add the guideline for the eyes halfway down the face (yes, that far). The lines for the nose and mouth split the lower half of the face into thirds.
Lightly draw the eyes so that the mid-line runs right through the middle of them. Typically, the space between the eyes is the same width as one eye. Once you have the eyes roughed in, use them as a guide for the rest of the features of the face. Remember that the human face is usually pretty symmetrical, so what happens on one side needs to be done on the other. Your features don’t have to be perfect at this point.
Lightly draw horizontal lines from the inside corners of the eyes and the from the middle of the pupil down to the chin and jaw. The nostrils will fit within the area between the eyes, and the outside of the mouth is usually lined up with the centers of the eyes.
The tops of the ears are usually in line with the eyes and connect to the face just a little below that. The bottoms of the ears typically line up with the bottom of the nose. Now add the neck. Make sure not to give your person a super skinny neck that won't hold up their head! The neck should follow a curve inwards from the ears. Last, sketch in a hairline for your subject. It should be about a third of the way from the top of the head, but this depends on your subject and their hairstyle.
Erase your guidelines completely. Then continue adding in details and shading to finish your portrait. Make sure to slowly build up your values and maintain your white areas. Pay close attention to the eyes and make sure they are as similar as possible. Be sure to erase any smudge marks you make; otherwise, you will just make more.
