How To Draw A Beard On Face
Drawing a beard on a face can be an intimidating task, but with the right technique and guidance it can be a breeze. Whether you are looking for a full, bushy beard or just some light stubble, here are some tips and tricks to help you create the perfect look:
1. Get the right materials. You’ll need a set of drawing pencils of different hardness and lead, a sharpener, and an eraser. All of these items should be available at any art store.
2. Begin by sketching the shape of your beard. Start by lightly outlining the jawline and cheekbones, and then adding in the details. Experiment with different shapes and sizes to find the perfect one, adding longer and shorter lines as needed.
3. Use different pencils and lead types to create a realistic texture. Harder pencils are better for adding deep shadows, while softer pencils are better for creating subtle shading. You can also create liner strokes with the edge of a duller pencil to add texture and volume.
4. Once you’ve established the outline, use the sharper pencils to add depth and definition to the beard. Utilize layers of light and dark marks to create the illusion of texture, as well as volume.
5. To finish off the look, use an eraser to lighten certain areas and create highlights in the beard. This will give it an almost real-life appearance and depth.
Creating Variations Of The Beard
You don’t have to be limited to just one styling of the beard. By using some simple techniques, you can create a huge range of different looks. Here’s how:
1. For a natural, tousled look, use the blunt end of a hard pencil to create broader, harsher strokes. Start off with thicker lines and taper off towards the bottom of the beard, to create a dappled, rugged look.
2. To create a softer, more groomed look, use softer pencils and a finer lead. Start with light strokes, and build up towards darker ones. Use this technique to create a more sophisticated, well-groomed aesthetic.
3. For a spikier, edgier look, use a harder pencil and a sharper lead. Utilize lines of various lengths, angles and widths to create an almost 3D effect.
4. To create a fuller and more ‘whiskery’ look, start with thick and dark lines. Then, use softer pencils to add in shorter and finer lines. This will give you a wild, natural look.
5. To add subtle highlights, use an eraser to gently lighten certain places in the beard. This adds a beautiful shine and natural sheen to your beard.
Texturised Beards
Creating a realistic texturised beard doesn’t have to be a struggle. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you out:
1. Start by sketching out the shape of your beard, lightly outlining the jawline and cheekbones. Experiment with various shapes and sizes until you find one you’re happy with.
2. Once you’ve finished sketching the shape, use different pencils and lead types to create texture in your beard. Start with lighter, softer pencils to define details and edges, and then move on to harder pencils to create deeper shadows.
3. To add some realistic volume to your beard, use liner strokes along the edges of your beard using the edge of a duller pencil. This will bring out a subtle shape and fullness to the beard that looks surprisingly natural.
4. If you’re looking to add some flair to your beard, use heavier lines to accentuate different features in your beard. This includes sharper lines at the chin, longer strokes along the jaw and some peaks and troughs along the sides.
5. To finish off your texturised beard, use an eraser to lightly dust certain areas to bring out highlights and extra depth.
Longer Beards
Drawing longer beards can be quite tricky but with patience and practice, you’ll soon get the hang of it. Here’s how to do it:
1. Begin by lightly sketching out the shape of your beard, starting at the jawline and moving upwards. Decide on the length and style of your beard — should it be straighter or more curved?
2. Now, start adding in the details. Use sharp, darker pencils and a thicker lead to create longer and more defined strokes. Remember to use different angles and directions to add shape and texture to your beard.
3. With longer beards, it’s more important to add more definition with light and dark pencils. Use light pencils to fill in the spaces between your strokes, and to bring out subtle shading.
4. For a softer, more natural look, use softer pencils to bring out finer details. Utilize curved and circular motions to create an almost ‘whiskery’ texture.
5. Finally, use an eraser to lightly blend certain areas and create a light, luminescent sheen in your beard.
Colouring Your Beard
Adding some colour to your beard is a great way to bring it to life. However, it’s important to use the right technique and materials to ensure a realistic finish. Here’s how:
1. Before you begin, get yourself some professional quality drawing pencils in the colours you want to use; both dark and light.
2. Begin by sketching out the shape of the beard, as you did before. This time however, focus more on the direction and angles of the strokes.
3. Once you’re happy with the shape, start adding some colour. Use the darker, harder coloured pencils to create darker lines and details, and the lighter coloured pencils to bring out subtle definition and shading.
4. To bring out a realistic shine and highlight, use a white pencil on a light setting. This will create a subtle, luminous beam in your beard.
5. Lastly, use an eraser to add extra depth and brightness to some areas of the beard. This will give you a multi-dimensional look and a realistic, 3D appearance to your beard.
