13/4/2019 How to draw a face | Creative Bloq


ART AND DESIGN INSPIRATION

TOPICS Graphic Design Web Design 3D 40% o Adobe CC Job of the week All Topics Generate

How to draw a face

By Neil Edwards (ImagineFX) August 29, 2018 Art  

Learn how to draw a face by following these simple steps.

    

PAGE 1 OF 2: 

Knowing how to draw a face and head accurately and realistically is key to developing e ective characters. When it comes to drawing
heads, nothing is set in stone; di erent characters have vastly di erent features. However, a grounding in head anatomy will enable
you to experiment con dently, and these skills will certainly improve your drawings.

How to draw and paint

On this page I’ll show you how to draw a face, moving from initial drawings to using references, and sharing my personal techniques.
Once you've mastered that, ip to page two to learn how to further your skills. I’ll o er some advice on how to draw a face with
personality and how to show di erent expressions. Right, grab a sketchbook or your Cintiq and let’s get cracking!

01. Start with two circles

Cursos Creativos
CLOSE X

Aprende de los mejores profesionales y pertenece a la mayor comunidad creativa en español.

Domestika - Cursos Online
https://www.creativebloq.com/digital-art/how-draw-faces-without-reference-21514096 1/12
13/4/2019 How to draw a face | Creative Bloq

Two circles form the basis of the head

I start o by drawing two overlapping circles. Where they intersect is the eye level. From there, put a centre line down the two circles.
This gives the basis of the human head. 

02. Add construction lines

Use the guidelines to position the features 

Cursos Creativos
CLOSE X

Draw two lines slightly in from either side of your circles. These will indicate where the forehead and cheekbones sit. From the centre
intersection, place a triangle
Aprendefor
de the nose andprofesionales
los mejores mark out where you want
y pertenece a lathe mouth
mayor to go. Then
comunidad add en
creativa twoespañol.
triangles for the eyes – these
Domestika - Cursos Online
https://www.creativebloq.com/digital-art/how-draw-faces-without-reference-21514096 2/12
13/4/2019 How to draw a face | Creative Bloq

will also help you locate the eyebrows and eye sockets.

03. Explore di erent proportions

Di erent sized circles will create di erent e ects

You can experiment with di erent sized circles to give di erent head dimensions. The more squashed the circles, the wider and heavy
the face, while the more elongated the circles, the longer the head shape.

04. Line up the features

Cursos Creativos
CLOSE X

Imagine the features are wrapped

Aprendearound
de losa cylinder
mejoresprofesionales y pertenece a la mayor comunidad creativa en español.
Domestika - Cursos Online
https://www.creativebloq.com/digital-art/how-draw-faces-without-reference-21514096 3/12
13/4/2019 How to draw a face | Creative Bloq

Always remember that the eyes, nose and mouth are on the same plane on the face, otherwise things start to go a bit lopsided and
weird! Imagine the facial features are wrapped around a cylinder, so they have a natural curve. 

Position the top of the eyebrow and bottom of the nose so that they’re lined up with the height of the ear. This helps the face look
more natural; giving it a ow, and stopping it from feeling at.

05. Start with the eyes

A light source helps eyes look more alive

Your character’s eyes are crucial to conveying the right emotion. Try to keep them focused and tell a story with them. Give the top eye
a thicker line to indicate a shadow from the eyelid, and add a light source to give them life. Longer and thicker eyelashes create a more
feminine look.

06. Add in the nose

Cursos Creativos
CLOSE X

Aprende de los mejores profesionales y pertenece a la mayor comunidad creativa en español.

Domestika - Cursos Online
https://www.creativebloq.com/digital-art/how-draw-faces-without-reference-21514096 4/12
13/4/2019 How to draw a face | Creative Bloq

The tip of the nose is roughly diamond shaped

Noses can be pretty di cult to get right. I initially create a triangle with a diamond shape for the tip of the nose. From there I draw
nostrils, remembering to add line weight and shadow to the bottom of the nose. I keep the details light, adding only what’s needed.

07. Try di erent lip shapes

Cursos Creativos
CLOSE X

Aprende de los mejores profesionales y pertenece a la mayor comunidad creativa en español.

Domestika - Cursos Online
https://www.creativebloq.com/digital-art/how-draw-faces-without-reference-21514096 5/12
13/4/2019 How to draw a face | Creative Bloq
Look at your own mouth to explore di erent lip shapes

I keep a little sketchbook to practise di erent lip shapes. Study lms and TV programmes to see how actors exaggerate their mouths.
Experiment and explore di erent mouth shapes. Try to convey ‘oh’, ‘ah’ and ‘esss’: this will help when you want gures to look like
they’re having a conversation.

08. Consider di erences between male and female faces

Male faces tend to be more angular – although this isn't a hard and fast rule

The male face is a harder, angular shape. The female face is softer and rounder in general. For women, try to depict fuller lips, larger
eyes and rounder cheeks. These are not hard and fast rules, though – just a guide.

09. Finish with some hair

Cursos Creativos
CLOSE X

Remember, the hair is bigger than the scalp

Aprende de los mejores profesionales y pertenece a la mayor comunidad creativa en español.

Domestika - Cursos Online
https://www.creativebloq.com/digital-art/how-draw-faces-without-reference-21514096 6/12
13/4/2019 How to draw a face | Creative Bloq

When drawing a character’s hair, I rst create the basic hair shape, noting that the hair is bigger than the scalp. I then add direction to
the hair, remembering to draw strokes from the crown of the head. To give hair a more natural appearance, I introduce a sense of
weight to the bottom of the shape. Trying drawing the hair shape with a thicker outline and thinner internal lines. This gives it
direction.

Next page: more advanced techniques for drawing a face

NEXT PAGE 

SEE MORE ART DIGITAL-ART 

TOPICS

ART ILLUSTRATION TUTORIAL MAGCONTENT IMAGINEFX ART

RELATED ARTICLES

35 beautiful examples of paper art

How to be a better speaker: presenting and pitching tips

Cursos Creativos
CLOSE X

Aprende de los mejores profesionales y pertenece a la mayor comunidad creativa en español.

Domestika - Cursos Online
https://www.creativebloq.com/digital-art/how-draw-faces-without-reference-21514096 7/12
13/4/2019 How to draw a face | Creative Bloq

Amazon Prime Day 2019: everything you need to know

The 10 best point-and-shoot cameras in 2019

SPONSORED Sponsored Links by Taboola

0.25" Mild Steel Plate A36 Hot Rolled

$26.91 - onlinemetals.com

Amazingly Cheap Flights From Venezuela

Save70.com

'No-balls should never ever be missed'

ESPN Cricinfo

The Year In Review

Associated Press

Check In: Hotel Review: Shinola Hotel, Detroit

NY Times

PHOTOS: Winter storm dumps a foot or more of snow on the Northeast

Associated Press

Advertisement

Cursos Creativos
CLOSE X

Aprende de los mejores profesionales y pertenece a la mayor comunidad creativa en español.

Domestika - Cursos Online
https://www.creativebloq.com/digital-art/how-draw-faces-without-reference-21514096 8/12
13/4/2019 How to draw a face | Creative Bloq

RECOMMENDED

Design jobs: nd your dream role

with Creative Bloq

74 best free fonts for designers

Search...

Coigach landscape, Scotland

GET WEEKLY TIPS AND

 INSPIRATION

Sign up below to get the latest from

Cursos Creativos
CLOSE X

Creative Bloq, plus exclusive special

Aprende de los mejores profesionales y pertenece
o ers, direct to your a la mayor comunidad creativa en español.
inbox!
Domestika - Cursos Online
https://www.creativebloq.com/digital-art/how-draw-faces-without-reference-21514096 9/12
13/4/2019 How to draw a face | Creative Bloq

No spam, we promise. You can unsubscribe at any time and

we'll never share your details without your permission.

Advertisement

SPONSORED

Sponsored By OnlineMetals.Com
0.0359" Mild Steel
Sheet A366/1008 Col…
R ll0.0359" (20 GA) A-366/1008
$4.13
Cold Roll Sheet is commonly referred
as the “commercial quality”...

See More

MOST READ MOST SHARED

Cursos Creativos
CLOSE X

Aprende de los mejores profesionales y pertenece a la mayor comunidad creativa en español.

Domestika - Cursos Online
https://www.creativebloq.com/digital-art/how-draw-faces-without-reference-21514096 10/12
13/4/2019 How to draw a face | Creative Bloq

1 Can the Halifax rebrand humanise banking?

2 The best software for digital artists in 2019

3 G.F Smith reveals the world's most relaxing colour

4 All the best free Photoshop brushes

5 45 great free handwriting fonts

Advertisement

Cursos Creativos
CLOSE X

Aprende de los mejores profesionales y pertenece a la mayor comunidad creativa en español.

Domestika - Cursos Online
https://www.creativebloq.com/digital-art/how-draw-faces-without-reference-21514096 11/12
13/4/2019 How to draw a face | Creative Bloq

? ABOUT OUR DEALS

We sort through thousands of deals to o er the best prices from the most trustworthy retailers. You can support us by clicking these
independently selected links, as we may earn a commission on any purchase you make, at no extra cost to you.

Contact us if you have any questions or have found a better price

Do you nd our price comparison useful?

Yes No

Creative Bloq is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

About us

Terms and conditions

Privacy policy

Cookies policy

Advertise with us

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number
2008885.

Powered by OptinMonster

Cursos Creativos
CLOSE X

Aprende de los mejores profesionales y pertenece a la mayor comunidad creativa en español.

Domestika - Cursos Online
https://www.creativebloq.com/digital-art/how-draw-faces-without-reference-21514096 12/12