Drawing A Face Realistically In A Few Simple Steps
You’ve always wanted to draw faces in the most realistic way possible, but you don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, drawing a realistic human face doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. With a few simple steps, you can easily draw a face that looks like the real thing.
First and foremost, accuracy is key if you’re aiming to draw a realistic face. Take notice of the details around the eyes, ears, nose, and mouth in the reference photo you are using. Make sure to draw the features in the exact measurements and angles, as the details are what make a face look lifelike.
Once the foundation of the face is complete, take a few moments to add texture and life in the features. You can do this easily by using contour lines to give definition to the facial features. You can also add shading to give your drawing a more three-dimensional look.
In addition to the details mentioned above, another key element to nailing the realistic look is to render the face with the right color. Pay attention to the skin tone and the shade of the hair color, as this will help make your drawing even more lifelike.
Furrowing the brows and forming the lips into a frown can also help add expression and emotion to your drawing. While a picture-perfect face may draw attention, it’s the facial expressions that really draw people in.
Once you have all the features in place it’s time to recreate the background surrounding the face. Whether you’re creating a facial portrait or drawing a character, don’t forget the environment that your character is set in. Whether it’s the bright lights of the city skyline or a sun-soaked beach, the background can really bring your drawing to life.
Finally, it’s time to add the finishing touches to your drawing such as jewelry, props, and accessories. This can help bring the character to life and make your drawing look even more spectacular.
So now that you know the basics of drawing a realistic face, you can start practicing and honing your craft. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes — there’s no better way to learn and get better. So don’t be discouraged and keep at it, soon you’ll be drawing the most realistic and awe-inspiring faces you can imagine.
Orientation
Before you start drawing, it’s important to understand face orientation. Your drawing needs to be in the right perspective — whether front view, side profile, or angled view. Once you have identified the orientation, use a ruler or grid paper to measure out the parts of the face. This will ensure that the facial features are placed in the right spot.
If you’re looking for a more aesthetic approach, you can always use guidelines. Create an oval for the face, then use circles for the eyes, chin, and other spots on the face you want to add. This will help make the features accurate and uniform.
There’s also the option of using a graphite transfer paper, as this will help make it easier for you to draw more accurate facial features. This type of paper transfers the lines and shapes from the reference to the drawing paper, which in turn makes it easier for you to create more accurate drawings.
Shadows and Highlights
Shadows and highlights can take your drawing to the next level. While facial features can define a face, shadows and highlights can give it life. So when you’re creating a realistic face, pay close attention to shadows and highlights.
Generally speaking, shadows occur on the side of a face where there is less light. This can be caused by a natural shadow or artificial light, so be sure to study the light carefully before adding shadows.
When it comes to highlights, these refer to the areas of a face where there is more light. It’s important to note that highlights should not be too bright or too dark, as this will look unnatural.
Finally, remember to keep your shading and highlights uniform — having them all over the face will make it look more realistic. It’s also important to keep the shadows and highlights in proportion to the facial features, as this will help keep the face looking lifelike.
Erasing Mistakes
Drawing a realistic face can be a long and arduous process, but that doesn’t mean you have to get it right the first time. It’s a normal part of the process to make mistakes, so don’t beat yourself up if your work isn’t perfect at first. If you find yourself making mistakes, don’t be afraid to start over or use a light touch eraser to erase the mistakes while leaving the lines and shapes intact.
There are also a few techniques you can use to help make the erasing process easier. Start by flipping your drawing paper to the wrong side, then use the eraser from the back side of your paper. This technique will help to avoid smudging and make it easier to work with.
Another technique is to use a stippling effect when erasing. Stippling involves using dots and lines to create a dotted effect. This is a great way to create a “washed-out” effect that will help to give your drawing a more realistic look.
Smooth Texture
Adding a smooth texture to your drawing is a great way to perfect your work. You can do this easily by mixing different shades of graphite and charcoal together. You can also use a brush to blend the colors together to create a smoother look.
You can also give your drawing a wet look by taking a damp brush and moistening the paper, then smudging the graphite/charcoal around. This will give your drawings a unique and unexpected finish that looks amazing.
Finally, try using a sheet of tracing paper to add soft and subtle hues to the face. This technique can really help to enhance the features of the face and make it look more vivid and lifelike.
