How to Create a Realistic & Human Looking Character
For many portrait artists, drawing realistic, human-looking characters represents a common goal. The proportions of the face offer endless challenges, but achieving a realistic portrait is rewarding. To reach this goal, artists use a number of techniques. One of the simplest methods does require the artist to do a bit of prep work beforehand. The results of these portrait drawing preparations, however, reflect accurate portrayals of each person's face.
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Instructions
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Take photographs of the person in question. Capture him at close range; the resulting pictures should give you a clear look at his features.
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Make prints of the photos. Choose one photo as your main reference picture plus a couple that allow you to see his features at close range. Print the reference photo out so that it measures at least 8 inches by 10 inches.
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Draw a grid on the photo, making the squares at least 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch.
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Create a grid on your drawing paper that has the same measurements as your photo's grid. Draw the same number of squares also. Use pencil to make the lines.
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Count the squares until you reach the person's eye on the grid. For example, if you count down five squares from the top and seven squares from the side, you reach the eye.
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Locate the grid square in the same position on your paper.
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Observe your reference photo closely. Notice how the lines making up the eye cross the lines of the grid square. Observe also how they interact with the other lines making up the eye of the person. Take in the details in that one grid square. Study it closely.
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Make marks in the paper's grid square. Draw lines that replicate the lines in the photo's grid square. Draw the lines the way they curve and angle within the grid square. If one line doesn't look quite like it does in the picture's grid square, erase it and draw again. Draw until you have a line drawing of the photo's grid square; it should look like the person's eye.
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Draw in the rest of the person's face and features using the grid. Drawing accurately and realistically requires that you draw what you see. If there's a mark on the face, draw it. Capture how the person's freckles sprinkle across his nose. The more details you get down on paper, the more realistic the portrait becomes.
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Get rid of the grid on your drawing paper. Take care not to erase the lines of your drawing when you remove the grid lines.
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Use the side of your pencil's lead to shade the drawing. Put down a general layer of shading to map out the areas of light and dark that you see. Once you have this, darken the places that look darker on your reference picture. Move your hand in circular or back-and-forth motions. Consult the close-up pictures to see the details if they're not clear on your main reference photos.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Comstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
