- 1). Find a subject. Have someone sit for your portrait or find a good photo that clearly shows a person's face.
- 2). Sketch out the basic shape of the head. This is usually an oval, although some may be a longer oval than others. This will depend on your individual subject.
- 3). Lightly draw a line down the center of the oval. This will give you the guide of where to center your eyes, nose and mouth.
- 4). Lightly sketch grid lines for the placement of the features. The first line should be halfway down the oval intersecting the center. This line will be the guide for where you place the eyes of your subject. Lightly sketch another line halfway between this line and the bottom of the oval or chin. This will be the line for the bottom of the nose. Sketch another line halfway between this line and the chin. This is where the mouth will be placed.
- 5). Draw the eyes on the first horizontal line. Eyes should be spaced one eye-width apart.
- 6). Add the nose to the portrait by using the center line. The bottom of the nose should fall on the line after the eye line.
- 7). Draw in the mouth using the center guideline to place the mouth under the nose. The horizontal line above the chin would be the correct height placement for the mouth.
- 8). Fill in the hairline. Depending on the type of hair your subject has, this could be long, flowing strokes or shorter, jagged lines.
- 9). Add shadows with the side of your pencil to add contours to the cheek, forehead and neck area. Layer these in lightly at first, remembering your light source.
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