How to Draw Faces

Drawing a face can be very challenging due to the amount of detail involved. Artists use particular techniques when drawing made-up faces and faces from models. With a little understanding of some basic principles and much practice, drawing faces will become much easier.

Things You'll Need

• Pencil
• Eraser
• Paper

Instructions

1. Establish the basic shape of the head. Most heads are either oval-shaped or inverted-egg-shaped. Pay careful attention to the shape of the top of the head and the face shape. A heavy person or a child will have more of a round shape.

2. Sketch in the features lightly because proportions are very important. It is a common mistake to put the eyes near the top of the oval. Although every face varies a little, generally the eyes will be about halfway between the top of the head and the chin, or the oval. The bottom of the nose will be about halfway between the eyes and the chin. The mouth will be roughly halfway between the bottom of the nose and the chin. Ears generally are seen on the sides of the head from the eyes to the bottom of the nose.

3. Contour the eyes. Pay close attention to the shape of the eyes. Consider the thickness of the eyelid. How much the eye is open will play a big part in determining what expression the face has. The top eyelid usually covers a portion of the iris of the eye. Don't forget the eyebrows, which vary greatly in size, shape and thickness. Eyebrows play a huge part in establishing the look of a face.

4. Draw the nose. Detail the width, length, line shape and nostril size. Much of the shape of the nose will be determined by shading, but begin by placing the nostrils and making them a careful distance from the eyes and mouth. Draw the line of the shape of the underside of the nose. When the basic shape of the bottom of the nose is ready, continue from one side of the nose to the eye with a light line.

5. Contour the mouth. The mouth also has much to do with the facial expression. Consider the thickness of the lips. The upper lip is usually more curved, thinner and darker due to shading. The lower lip is usually lighter in tone and fuller.

6. Add detail to the ears. Ears are very complicated and not necessarily identifying with the face, so it is best to keep them simple. The most important part of the ears is how much they protrude from the head. Indicate ears simply with a few lines and some shading. If the face is front view, then the ears will hardly matter at all.

7. Shade the picture. Shading adds depth, dimension and life to the face. Shading can change the look of the face drastically. Shade hits everyone's face uniquely but should be found consistently in some general areas. Shade around the eyes, in the hollows of the cheeks, around the nose, on the sides of the nose and on the chin. Shade around the edges of the face and the chin.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice observing the details of a person's face and note diversities before you begin drawing.