How To Draw Tupac
Drawing Tupac is like listening to one of his masterful records: it’s incredibly satisfying and powerful. Capturing the just-right expression of the timeless rapper is all in the details, and can be daunting to the beginner but with a few pointers on technique and a strong foundation in the basics, anyone can have him looking out at them in no time.
Know the Essentials
Drawing Tupac starts with the basics: breaking down complex forms into simpler shapes. This begins with sketching out a few shapes and lines that will help frame the features of the rapper: a circle for the head, sticks for the arms and legs, a tripod for the torso, and a cross for the shoulders. With these essential forms mapped out, his features can be built up from there. The other key component for getting Tupac’s likeness is proper proportions, so when sketching out the frame you’ll want to make sure the elements are in proportion to the subject.
Experiment with Shading
From there, the shading and detail work can begin. When it comes to shading Tupac, you’ll want to create an effective contrast between the light and shadow areas. If his texture is kept true to life, then you’ll also want to use layers and layers of cross hatching to incorporate the range of tones into his form. With shading, keep it subtle, as the more intense the shading, the more it deviates from the real thing, so be sure to practice looking closely at your subject to recognize the subtle chromatic variations.
Add Features for Understanding
The details of the face are what really sets the tone for a successful likeness of Tupac. His unique features are part of his charm, so you’ll want to pay special attention when incorporating his distinct nose, jawline and hair. One great way to get started is to use an eraser to ‘draw’ these features with the negative space; it helps to take the pressure off having to draw and forces you to think about the elements around the features, making the result more effective.
Employ Bold Lines & Colors
Once the core of the work is complete, you can start to layer in more of the detail: define the curves of the cheeks, add lines of depth to the eyes, and incorporate his signature bandanas. When it comes to colors, he often wore some pretty bright reds and blues, so if you’re going for a more realistic end-result, then you’ll need to use bold hues. If a more muted statement is desired, then you can use a darker, greyscale color palette, which can be just as effective while also providing a more subtle introduction to the subject.
Fine Tune with Blending & Smudging
To really give your Tupac drawing the professional touch, you’ll want to finish the illustration with some fine-tuning. The best way to do this is to practice blending and smudging, which helps to soften any harsh edges. Blending tools, such as cotton swabs and paper towels, should be used to slowly and lightly work the colors together until you achieve the desired effect. Smudging is a great way to add some softer transitions in the background, as well as to make surface wrinkles and lines.
Accentuate the Figure
For an even greater impact, try outlining the form with a black pencil or marker. It will give the drawing a strong sense of depth and the lines will make the form feel hard and real. Once the outline is complete, it’s time to add any extra elements you’d like to make the drawing your own. You might add some dynamic lighting to create dramatic highlights, throw in some extra details to bring the whole thing together, or add a few flashy accessories. Populating the drawing with these accents will really bring the finished portrait of Tupac to life.
Start Out with Simple Shapes
Although drawing Tupac can be a challenging process, if you keep the basics of form and proportion in mind and build up the shades, lines, and coloring with a lot of patience and practice, you should have no problem bringing the hip-hop legend to life. Start out your journey by sketching a few simple shapes and narrowing in on the essentials, then let your creativity take it from there. Learning how to draw Tupac will be an incredibly rewarding journey, and you’ll have an iconic portrait that you’ll be proud of.
