How to Sketch a Portrait of Children
Hand-drawn portraits are a great creative item to have on display in the home. They are a popular alternative to the traditional photograph. Many people love to have their children sketched as a memory piece. Oftentimes, artists can even capture more of the featured child's qualities in a sketch than in a photograph. You can sketch a portrait of children by following a few steps.
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Things You'll Need
- Desk or Flat Board
- Reference photo
- Pencil (H or 2H)
- Colored pencils
- Hairspray or artist's adhesive
Instructions
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1
Find a reference photo of the children you intend to sketch. The photo should feature the kids directly facing the camera. Using a photo will allow you more time to draw than if you were to sketch them while they were sitting still for a prolonged period, something that can be difficult for children.
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2
Tape a piece of paper to a desk or a flat board. Using artists tape or painters tape will allow you to peel away the tape later without damaging your paper. This will serve as your work surface.
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Tape the reference photo directly next to your paper, so that it will not move as you reference it.
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4
Use a light pencil, such as one with hardness rating H or 2H, to sketch the outline of your figures. Focus on the large outer lines, such as those which make up the clothing, hair, and facial outlines. Keep your pencil strokes loose, without worrying about too much detail. As this is just a sketch, the idea is to capture the basic essence of the subject, in a very natural way.
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Draw in the important details that make up the image. This includes the eyes and facial features, and details of the clothing.
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Add color to the image with colored pencils. Lightly apply color to the clothing, hair, and background, using the side of your pencil lead.
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Add necessary highlights to the sketch. This includes adding a touch of pink or red to the cheeks, and perhaps the hands, depending on the photograph you are working from.
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8
Spray the finished portrait with one coat of hairspray or artist's adhesive in order to preserve it.
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