Essentials of Face Drawing

How to Define the Face

Below are the steps for defining the face:

Outline the Face’s Shape: Begin by drawing an oval framework, as the skull has a slightly flattened shape rather than being perfectly round. The jaw contributes to a sharper appearance at the bottom, resembling an egg shape.
Utilize Guidelines: Establish essential lines by dividing the face with straight lines to define its dimensions. Draw a vertical line that bisects the oval, followed by a horizontal line to create four quadrants, thus simplifying the process of sketching facial features.

The following guidelines will help you draw eyes and eyebrows, one of the most captivating aspects of drawing:

Determine the Eye Shape: The eye resembles an almond and varies in size and shape among individuals. Trust your instincts to select a suitable shape, remembering that the distance between the eyes can accommodate a third eye, equal to the width of one eye.
Create Eye Cavities: Draw two large circles that intersect the central horizontal line to form the eye sockets.
Sketch the Eyelids: The eyelid’s base should slightly cover the top part of the iris, while the upper eyelid should sit above the eye.
Draw the Eyebrow: The simplest method to draw the eyebrow is to follow the curve of the upper eyelid, ensuring the main body of the eyebrow angles inward, while the outer tail can be drawn slightly shorter or wider based on the chosen eye shape.

Follow the steps below to draw the nose:

Divide the Lower Half: Use a third horizontal line to split the lower half of the face, then start drawing the base of the nose at the intersection of this line and the vertical line.
Outline the Nose Structure: Sketch the base of the nose while clearly defining the bridge, using moderately visible but slightly thicker lines.
Shade the Tip of the Nose: Add shading to the tip, utilizing curved or slanted lines to enhance its roundness.

Mastering fundamental drawing techniques is essential for achieving the best results. Here are the steps to draw the mouth and lips:

Divide the Lower Quadrant: Create a third horizontal line to split the lower quarter into two, then draw guiding curves for the upper and lower lips, followed by the actual lip lines.
Add Subtle Curves: Introduce slight curved lines to indicate the fullness of the lips, erasing any unnecessary outlines.

Here are the steps for drawing ears:

Outline the Ear Shape: Position the base of the ear on the same line as the base of the nose, resembling an inverted ‘U’, while the top aligns with the eyebrows, taking on a ‘C’ shape.
Depict the Ear Flatness: Ensure that the ears appear flat against the sides of the head.

Below are the steps for drawing hair:

Create an Adjustable Frame: Outline a flexible contour around the head, avoiding the need to draw hair directly on the scalp.
Establish a Parting: Identify the desired hair parting location, then sketch the general outline of the hair around the face.
Draw Hair Flowing Toward the Shoulders: Sketch the hair lightly, then segment it into strands, creating tapered edges to give each strand definition, and consider breaking down each section into smaller components.
Add Detail with Strands: Include some side strands for additional character, avoiding straight and simplistic lines—aim for narrow shapes that mimic a ‘Y’ for a more natural look.
Create Length with Lines: Finally, draw elongated lines along the hair strands, providing detail without making the lines too thick or overly narrow.