Drawing: Complete Guide For Sketching, Landscapes, Portraits and Everything Else Drawing by McAdams Eliza

Author:McAdams, Eliza [McAdams, Eliza]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Published: 2015-01-19T22:00:00+00:00

Image: Public Domain

A typical Cezanne using sketched outlines, followed by ink rendition.

Chapter 4: Tips On Drawing Portraits For Beginners

Much like landscape drawing, most people tend to feel intimidated by the idea of creating a portrait. This is because it requires more realism than most types of drawing and in some ways, there's very little room for mistakes- as it would be too obvious otherwise. However, once you have an understanding of the basic drawing techniques, it would seem less complicated and more like a challenge to take on. Sure, you won't be able to produce a stellar piece during your first go but as with most art projects, every mistake you make is also a step towards becoming better at it.

−So where does one begin? For realistic portraits, having a firm grasp on the different techniques of outlining and shading would be very beneficial. Choosing the right tools would also come into play and can actually make the process much easier. Pencils ranging from 2H to 7B would be great for beginners.

−Next, you would want something to copy off of. A photograph would be the best option for beginners as a live model might produce subtle nuances that can throw you off. Find a simple photograph, preferably in black and white if you're not keen on using color just yet. Make sure that it doesn't appear too flat and that there are dimensions to the person's face. This would help familiarize you with creating shape and depth through the use of shading and shadows.

−Once you have your photograph, you can start working on a basic outline. Just follow the edges, making sure that you only create light lines that can be easily erased later on. You can also use a grid for this step or do it freehand, whichever you're comfortable with. If you're quite keen on accuracy, using a grid is recommended. Remember that your outline need not resemble the person just yet. Take your time with it and make sure it matches up to your photograph just right. It is not uncommon for an artist to take hours when it comes to drawing up an outline. This is going to be your basis for everything else, after all. So take your time.

−Working on drawing the hair. It is usually better to start working from top to bottom to avoid smudging areas that you're already done with. A great tip here is to take your time when sketching out the hair. Pay close attention to where the hair is flowing towards and do make sure that you keep your lines close together to achieve that smoothness. Don't forget to add light and dark areas for contrast, this would prevent your sketch from looking flat. Remember to darken the areas around your highlights before you start fading it. Tones flow into each other; dark into a mid-tone and into light. Keep everything flowing into gradients. The effect might be subtle but it will lend some realism to your drawing. Broad pencil strokes are recommended.

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