12 TIPS FOR DRAWING A FACE

Here are some tips I give my art students when we’re drawing a face in class.

1. If drawing from a photograph, change the image to black and white. It

will be easier to see all the different grey tones in the picture.

2. Use a very light pencil to start (a 2H, 3H, or 4H). It will be easier to erase

and make any changes.

3. Begin with the shape of the face. Be sure to pay attention to this shape.

Some faces are oval, while others are round or heart-shaped.

4. Add a guidelines in the shape of a “t” to help you place the features such

as the eyes, nose, and mouth.

5. After you draw an eye, measure its

length with your pencil or scrap of

paper. This is usually the distance

between the eyes as well.

6. Instead of drawing lines for the sides of the nose, create shadows there

instead. You can use some graphite on your finger or on a tortillon.

7. To change or lighten your shadows, use a kneaded eraser.

8. If the mouth is closed, notice the

straight line between the lips. This line

actually extends past the lips.

9. Keep the center of the nose lined

up with the center of the lips.

10. The top of the ear usually attaches to

the head along the same guidelines as the

eyes. It curves up from there.

11. When drawing hair, create lines

that mimic the hair. For example, for

short hair, use short lines. For long

hair, make your lines long. Wavy or

curly hair? Make the lines curve!

12. To get the features in just the right

place, try drawing using a grid.