Introduction
Drawing heads is an essential skill for any artist, whether you are an experienced professional or a beginner. The ability to create realistic and expressive portraits is a lifelong pursuit, and it all starts with mastering the basics of head drawing. In this article, we will cover 10 simple steps to drawing realistic heads, discuss different approaches and styles to head drawing, provide tips for improving your skills, and even explore how to draw popular celebrity heads.
10 Simple Steps to Drawing Realistic Heads
Breaking down the process of drawing a head into ten simple steps can make the task less overwhelming and more manageable.
1. Start with a basic shape
The first step is to create a basic shape of a head. It can resemble a circle, square, or triangle, and can later be modified to fit the specific features of the head.
2. Add guidelines for the facial features
Add guidelines to the basic shape to help position the eyes, nose, and mouth proportionately. These guidelines will help you ensure the correct placement and size of the facial features, giving your head a realistic appearance.
3. Sketch the eyes
Starting from the guidelines, sketch the eyes, and make sure that they are symmetrically positioned. You can add eyelashes, the iris, or highlights to bring life to the eyes.
4. Continue with the nose
Use the guidelines to sketch the nose and position it correctly. Nose shapes can vary from character to character so it is important to pay attention to the nuances of the individual.
5. Sketch the mouth and chin
With the guidelines in place, you can begin to sketch the mouth and chin and make necessary modifications to the basic head shape.
6. Add details to the face
Details, such as facial hair, scars, or wrinkles, give character to the face. Use shading and other techniques to add colors and textures to the face.
7. Add shadows and highlights
Shadows and highlights help the features of the head to appear three-dimensional. Light comes from above the subject, the shadows are below, and highlights help form prominent facial features.
8. Refine the head shape
Revisit the head shape and refine it to better suit the details that you have added. Ensure that all areas of the head are proportional and balanced.
9. Add hair to the head
Hair can change the entire look of your drawing, so it’s essential to add it. Draw the shape and texture of the hair, and continue to use shading techniques to make it more realistic.
10. Finish with some final details
Finally, add any additional features that can make your head drawing stand out, such as tattoos, hats, or jewelry.
Mastering the Art of Head Drawing
To master the intricacies of head drawing, you need to pay close attention to facial symmetry, proportion, and shading techniques. Here are some tips for beginner and intermediate artists to improve their head drawing skills.
– Practice drawing different head shapes and sizes to gain a better understanding of proportions.
– Use grids or guidelines to position the facial features correctly and symmetrically.
– Take time to study facial expressions and emotions to make your head drawings more expressive.
– Experiment with different shading techniques to create texture and depth in your artwork.
– Use references like mirrors or pictures to draw from, or paint self-portraits to increase your level of skill.
The Different Approaches to Drawing Heads
There are different styles and techniques that artists can use to draw heads. Each approach has its pros and cons, so it’s up to each artist to find the style that best suits their preferences.
– Realism: A realistic style accurately captures the details of a subject’s face, striving to produce a lifelike portrait. Artists who adopt this style prioritize capturing subtleties in the subject’s face, body contours, skin pores, and textures.
– Caricature: Caricature is a style that exaggerates specific features of your subject’s face to create a humorous effect. This style can be used to make a political or social commentary, and it’s all about bringing out a subject’s unique features.
– Anime: This is a style inspired by Japanese animation that features unique facial features, proportion embellishments, vivid colors, and dramatic expressions.
How to Draw Celebrity Heads
Celebrity portraits are often challenging, primarily because most people have a familiarity with the subject and expect the drawing to be accurate. Here are some tips on how to draw celebrity heads and bring out the recognizable features.
– Start with the basic head shape and position the facial features proportionately along the guidelines.
– When it comes to intricate details such as their hairstyles, use reference material to ensure that the hair falls correctly.
– Observe distinctive facial features such as their nose, ear, lips, and bone structure to achieve an accurate likeness.
Some of the famous faces you can draw are Beyoncé, Chris Hemsworth or Emma Stone.
The Importance of Self-Portraiture in Head Drawing
Creating self-portraits is important for artists in terms of art therapy and skill improvement. Portrait drawing can be therapeutic if you need a chance to release stress or other emotions. Besides, practicing on yourself is a great way to develop the nuances of head drawing further.
Some ways you can improve on self-portraiture include:
– Use different angles and expressions to learn how to draw the head from different perspectives.
– Take time to study the structure of your features carefully.
– Use a reference if necessary to capture subtle details.
Conclusion
Drawing heads can be a challenging task. However, with patience, practice, and these tips, you can quickly become an accomplished portrait artist. We hope this article has given you some insights and techniques into head drawing. Remember to keep practicing and honing your skills and soon you will be on your way to mastering the art of head drawing.