Introduction: It’s an immensely satisfying feeling to create something beautiful with your own two hands. Drawing a portrait of someone is no exception. Shaping a person’s facial features on paper can be a mysterious but rewarding journey. While there are many steps involved in creating a lifelike drawing, with some practice and patience, anyone can do it in no time. Read on to find out how!
Proportion: The foundation of any portrait is all in the eyes. Not literally of course, but having a rough understanding of where the eyes, nose and lips should fall. Once these three elements are in place, the rest of the artwork should follow suit. One helpful hint to keep in mind is that the eyes of your drawing should be slightly larger than usual for a more realistic look. Together, the eyes, nose and mouth should create a triangle or diamond shape in the middle of the face; this will help to ensure that the proportions of your illustration will be correct.
Lines and Shading: Once the proportions have been determined, it’s time to start sketching and adding details. With smooth, confident strokes, draw in the eyes, nose, mouth and hair with whatever materials you like. To add depth to your illustration, use different shading techniques where appropriate and practice rendering realistic shadows. Doing so will give your artwork a sense of life-like atmosphere and dimension. When shading, don’t be afraid to mix and match different hues to get the desired effect.
Details: After you’ve got your outline and shading down, it’s time to bring out the spirit of the person in your drawing. In order to do this, you need to pay close attention to the little details and bring them to life! Spend some time rendering the eyes, which are both incredibly complex and delicate. Use a variety of techniques to create those realistic lashes and pupils, adding your own flair to the portrait and merrily doodling eyebrows and eyelids. Also, make sure you give the nose and lips their due attention. With the right shapes, twists and points, they can easily elevate an ordinary portrait to a sophisticated masterpiece.
Adding Finishing Touches: To make your drawing stand out, you must add finishing touches to your artwork. Layers of contrasting shades and textures is sure to add an artistic dimension to your drawing. If you’re drawing a portrait, why not add some character to the person’s hair by incorporating some fun curls, bangs or flips? You could also consider adding accessories to your illustration—from a pair of earrings to a hat or a scarf—to make it memorable. Now it’s time to put your own personal stamp on the portrait. Don’t be afraid to let your creativity flow and explore color, lines and shapes.
