How to Draw a Pointy Nose

Draw a pointy nose with subtlety.

Noses come in many shapes and sizes. As a large, central feature of the face, the nose must be approached carefully by portrait artists. If you wish to capture the appearance of your subject, a small mistake on the nose may undermine the integrity of your portrait. To draw a pointy nose, make the unique features of the nose subtle to avoid a cartoon look. However, if you are drawing a pointy nose for a caricature or cartoon, exaggerate the pointed appearance for a less naturalistic look.

Instructions

1. Draw a large equilateral triangle.

2. Draw a vertical line that bisects the triangle.

3. In the left bottom corner of the triangle, draw a small circle. Make this circle overlap the corner of the triangle slightly.

4. Starting at the top of the triangle, trace your pencil over the left arm of the triangle. Make a slightly curved line over the arm of the triangle using the arm as a general guide for its shape. When you reach the bottom corner, use the circle as a guide to slightly round this line. Curl the line around the bottom of the circle. This creates the tip of the nose.

5. Draw a small semicircle beside the vertical line. The semicircle should round out against this line. Make the bottom of this semicircle rest against the bottom of the triangle. This forms the side of the nose.

6. Connect the left side of the tip of the nose to the semicircle using a curved line. Make this line arch upward toward the top of the page. Shade this line in with a small region of shadow, forming a crescent shape that arches vertically. This forms the nostril.

7. Erase the top of the circle, the vertical line and the right half of the triangle. Erase all visible portions of the straight guiding line on the left arm of the triangle and the bottom of the triangle.

Tips & Warnings

• Draw the triangle and vertical line very lightly, so that you may erase them easily.

References

• Portrait Art Tutorial: Drawing the Nose