How to Sketch a Face with the Proper Dimensions

Posted by Anonymous , 9/4/2007 Tags:SketchFacewithProperDimensions

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Introduction Drawing a portrait (and making it look like the person you're trying to replicate)

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Introduction

Drawing a portrait (and making it look like the person you're trying to replicate) takes a lot of skill and practice. It's important to start with the basics and understand the traditional structure of a face.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You'll Need

  • Sketch Paper
  • Pencil
  • Lead and/or sharpener
  • Eraser

Steps

1

Step One

Start off by drawing an oval or an upside-down egg shape, which will be the basic shape of the face.
2

Step Two

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Draw a horizontal line half way down the face, dividing the oval into two parts. This line is where the eyes should be.
3

Step Three

Now that the face is split in half, draw a horizontal line half way between the eye line and the chin. This is approximately where the bottom of the nose should be.
4

Step Four

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Divide the space between the nose and the chin in half again, and this is the approximate placement of the mouth.
5

Step Five

Draw a vertical line down the middle (if your face is staring straight ahead) or in the slight direction that the head is facing. This is where the nose should lie.
6

Step Six

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Draw the eyes, and make sure the eyes are separated by an eye-length. Which means: if each eye is a centimeter wide, make sure the space between the eyes is also one centimeter
7

Step Seven

When drawing the mouth, the corners of the mouth should line up with the centers of the eyes
8

Step Eight

When drawing the ears, keep in mind that the tops of the ears should line up with the eye line, whereas the bottoms of the ears should line up with the bottom of the nose
9

Step Nine

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And lastly, add the eyebrows (approximately 1/3 down from the top of the face) and the hairline, and you've got the basic structure of a face.

Overall Tips & Warnings

  • The lines should just be used for guidance. Use a soft touch with your pencil, so that they can easily be erased afterwards.
  • Keep the proportions in mind, but be flexible. Faces come in different shapes--oval, round, square, heart, or even triangular. The bottom of the jaw line should be reflected in your initial shape, so adjust accordingly.
  • Faces are not symmetrical. Studies have suggested that faces that are perceived as "beautiful" tend to be more symmetrical, but that is not always the case. In face, asymmetry is often what makes faces unique and natural.
  • Don't give up. Like any craft, repetition is key and practice makes perfect!
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