If you’re looking for a master class in capturing Grandpa’s likeness, you’re in the right place. Drawing a treasured Grandpa is a great way to express your admiration and affection, and putting pencil to paper is the perfect way to do it. Drawing the handsome and benevolent lines of a beloved face may seem intimidating, but with a few simple steps and a little practice, you can get the stroke of genius you need to bring your masterpiece to life.
Start by drawing a basic oval shape. That will be the foundation for Grandpa’s face – and don’t be afraid to make it big! Grandpa’s face isn’t exactly small – no matter how youthful he may look! Next, draw the eyes – two circles near the center of the oval. They should be close together and slightly angled, creating an expression that could make anyone crack a smile. Next, draw the nose – a short, curved line. It can be as long or as short as you like – the important thing is that it’s pointed and there’s a slight bump in the middle to give it character.
Then draw two swooping lines for Grandpa’s smile. His lips should be drawn half closed with the edge of his mouth curving up, so you can capture that twinkle in his eye and those soft, gentle lips. Once those are in, draw two lines for the eyebrows – with the right one slightly raised to create the expression of surprise. After that, sketch in Grandpa’s hair. Capture the grey, coarse texture that he’s been sporting since his late fifties. For extra detailing you can draw in a hat or any random curls that have stayed with him since his days as a dashing young man.
Finally, draw the ears. Leave a small space between the bottom of the face and the ears, then draw in the ears’ shape with a few curved lines. Draw one ear slightly bigger than the other to create some depth. And don’t forget the wrinkles! If you want your drawing to look just like Grandpa, those wrinkles are what will give it the realism! Add them in gently around the eyes and mouth, as if Grandpa has spent his life laughing and living life to the fullest.
Once all those details are in place and you have a basic sketch of Grandpa in front of you, take the time to really look at it. Add in shading and highlights to bring out all of the slightest details. Give Grandpa’s cheeks a rosy hue and give his eyes a shine that captures his soul. Give his hair depth and let the wrinkles tell their own story. Make sure to capture all of the little things that make Grandpa, Grandpa.
And there you have it! You’ve created a beautiful adaptation of Grandpa’s likeness. Drawing Grandpa is a lovely way to show your love and respect for him, so take the time to go a little extra and make the portrait look as closely to him as possible. With a little practice, your drawing will come to life and you’ll have something you can be sure to treasure for years to come.
Once you have the basics down, try getting creative with different backgrounds or even compositions to add more interest to your drawing – have Grandpa posed laughing with his grandkids or admiring some of his favorite birds in the garden. Don’t forget to add colors, too – no Grandpa is complete without his trademark cardigan and warm hat. Or try something really artistic, like a picture of him looking out of a window full of stars, his eyes capturing a timeless wisdom. Whatever the idea, use your imagination and Grandpa’s picture is sure to be perfect!
Drawing Grandpa doesn’t require an art degree or a pencil master’s diploma. You’ve already got the most important tool – your admiration for Grandpa. All you need to do is let your pencil do the talking and bring your creativity to the paper. With a few simple steps, you’ll be well on your way to creating a masterpiece that you’ll love for a lifetime.
