Drawing portraits in profile can often be tricky so his quick guide will show you some useful tips for improving your work!
- Start by using very simple straight lines to determine the approximate proportions of the whole head – ignoring any details for the time being.
- Pay close attention to the overall height of the head vs. the width in particular.
- Once the general proportions are in place, you can start to use smaller lines to break the portrait down into smaller forms.
- The nose is a good place to start as it divides the forehead from the mouth and jaw.
- If you get the nose place correctly, it will be easier to fit in the eyes above and the mouth below.
- Once all the major features are in place, you can start softening the straight lines into curves where necessary.
- You can also start to place features within the face. Notice how deep the eye is set back in the head – make sure you don’t put the eye too close to the front of the face as this is a common mistake when drawing portraits in profile.
- Finally, lightly shade in the shadows and add a few halftones to give a sense of form to the drawing.
Hopefully these tips are useful when you draw your next portrait in profile!
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