Drawing People for the Absolute Beginner

MINI-DEMONSTRATION

Female Head, Neck and Shoulders

Taking time to detail the light and dark contours of the bones and muscles of the head, neck and shoulders gives the figure depth and a lifelike quality.

Materials

10" × 8" (25cm × 20cm) medium-texture drawing paper

2B graphite pencil

kneaded eraser

STEP 1: Sketch the Basic Proportions

With a 2B pencil, sketch short lines to place the outer proportions of the face, which is seven eye widths high and slightly less than five eye widths wide. Sketch a vertical line from the center of the face to below the shoulders. Sketch a horizontal line for the top of the shoulders.

STEP 2: Form the Main Shapes and Add the Facial Feature Lines

Add lines to form the shape of the head, neck and shoulders. Add horizontal lines for the placement of the eyes, nose and mouth.

STEP 3: Add More Feature Lines

Add more lines to establish the width of the eyes, nose and mouth. Add a horizontal line for the placement of the brows, and continue the horizontal line for the nose across the face. The ears will go between these two lines.

STEP 4: Add the Facial Features

Add eyes, eyebrows, nose, mouth, lips and ears.

STEP 5: Shape the Hair, Neck and Shoulders

Sketch the shape of the hair and define the form of the neck and shoulders.

STEP 6: Add the Values

Erase unwanted lines and complete the drawing by adding the values with a 2B pencil.