Drawing a self portrait is a great way to learn about proportions and shading.Learning to draw a realistic portrait of the human face can be hard for advanced artists, but there's no better way to grow in your trade.If you follow a few basic tips and techniques, you'll be sketching a realistic portrait of yourself in no time.
Step 1: The easiest way to see a mirror is by setting it up.
Place it so that you can only move your head back and forth while drawing.A rectangular mirror is better than a circular mirror.You can adjust your light source as you draw with the help of a mirror.
Step 2: The mirror should be centered based on the profile you want to draw.
As you will be using this pose throughout your drawing, choose a comfortable pose that you can maintain for a long time.As you draw, keep your eyes on the mirror.You should spend more time looking in the mirror than drawing because you are drawing what you see.
Step 3: It is better to use a photograph in place of a mirror.
Stand against a plain background that makes your features pop out.Use a drop-cloth to hang in the background if you can't find a solid-colored wall.The lighting should be adjusted to cast shadows.To find more shadows for your photograph, use top-lighting or lighting from above.A photograph gives you a reference that is easier to use than a mirror.You can reference the same image many times without changing your drawing because the photo stays in one position.Advanced artists can improve their skill by drawing from a mirror.
Step 4: Keep your drawing surface vertical.
A cheap table easel has a clip built into it.You can use the clip to hold your drawing in a horizontal position.On a flat surface, the self portrait can become distorted.
Step 5: In the center of the page, draw a circle.
To draw a circle, trace around the edges of a cup or roll of duct tap.You can change the shape of the edges later on if you keep the lines light.If you prefer, you can draw an oval in most head shapes.
Step 6: The circle has a vertical line.
There is a horizontal line across the center circle.The horizontal line crosses in the middle of the vertical line you drew.Your lines don't have to be perfect.Get them as close to the center as possible.
Step 7: The circle should be measured with a ruler.
To transfer the measurement you just took, place the ruler on the bottom of the circle.The measurement stops when you draw a line underneath the circle.Draw the line slightly higher for a female chin.The line should be half the length of the circle.If you want to draw your chin, this line is your reference.You can use your pencil if you don't have a ruler.At the point of the measurement, place your finger on the pencil.The edge of the pencil should be used as a reference for the measurement.
Step 8: The circle needs to be connected to the chin line.
Place your pencil on the outside of the circle.The line should be drawn about halfway toward the chin line.Place your pencil on the outside edge of the chin line the same way you drew it.You can draw a line up and connect it to the line you drew.On the other side, repeat these steps.If your jaw is more defined, use sharper angles to connect the chin line.If you have a rounded jaw, use softer lines.Refer to the mirror to make the angles.Keeping your lines light will allow you to flesh out the detail later on.
Step 9: Re-draw the horizontal line at the halfway point.
The first horizontal line you drew should be erased.Measure the halfway point of the drawing and draw a new horizontal line across it.Your eye line will be this.You don't have to label it for easy reference when you start drawing the eyes.If you label it lightly, you can go back and erase it.
Step 10: The line should be drawn at the halfway point between the eye and chin lines.
You should draw another line halfway between the line you drew and the chin line.3 horizontal lines will be drawn across your outline.The first and second lines are the nose and lip.If you want to reference later, lightly label these lines with pencil.
Step 11: There is a horizontal line at the center point between the crown and eye line.
You can draw another horizontal line between the lines you drew.You now have 5 horizontal lines.Both lines will be hair lines.It's a good idea to label them for easy reference later on.
Step 12: To split the eye line into equal sections, make small, vertical dashes.
Divide the width of the head by 5 using a ruler.If the widest part of the head is 6 centimetres, divide it by 5 to get 1.2 centimetres.Use your ruler to split the horizontal eye line into 5 sections.The tick marks divide the eye line into 5 equal sections.
Step 13: Take out the left eye.
The right edge of the left eye should be touched by the 2nd tick mark from the right.The far right edge of the right eye should be drawn with the inner corner touching the 2nd dash.This will make sure your eyes are the same size.
Step 14: The eyebrows should be filled in.
If the portrait looks sad, your eyebrows may be too close together.If you want a happier demeanor, try spacing them further apart.
Step 15: From the left eye's inner corner to the nose line is where you can draw a vertical line.
Do the same for the left eye.To keep the nose symmetrical, use the vertical line in the middle of the boundary lines as a reference.If you want a medium-length nose, draw it above the nose line.Draw it beneath the nose line.If you want a shorter nose, draw it between the eye and nose line.You can get rid of the boundary lines later if you keep them light.
Step 16: Make a line from the middle of each eye to the lip line.
The bottom lip rests on the lip line.The middle vertical line can be used to draw the lips symmetrically.If you have an average mouth size, sketch it inside the boundary lines.It is necessary to adjust for larger mouths.If you draw the boundary lines lightly, you can erase them later.
Step 17: The hairline should be added between the 2 lines labeledhair.
A smooth line around the forehead is needed for a female face.Try not to add any angles.For a man's face, sketch a well-defined head shape.To fill in the rest of the hair, draw a line from the top of your head to the bottom.Add shadows and highlight as you work.
Step 18: Don't use unnecessary lines in the portrait.
You don't want to rip the paper when you erase the lines.The original vertical line, horizontal lines and boundary lines are included.If you labeled your eye, lip, nose, and hair lines for reference, remove them as well.
Step 19: Put in the ears, eyes, lips, and nose.
Draw your ears between the eye and nose line.When sketching the outline of the main features, add any details you may have left out.Shadows under the eyes, lip wrinkling, and shading on the bridge of the nose are things that can be filled in.There are a lot of things you can add to the skin, jewelry, and details in the eyebrows.The more details you add, the more realistic the portrait will be.
Step 20: The angle of the face is used to shape the jaw and cheeks.
Sharp angles to the jaw area can be added if your jawline is more defined.Remove any sharp angles if it is more rounded.Adding or removing definition is necessary.If you want to make yourself look younger, make your jawline narrower.
Step 21: You can add shading to your portrait.
As you go, use a tool or smudge your finger to add shadows.Take into account the glares in the hair and eyes as you shade.Add some shadow to the neck area.It won't look like it's floating in thin air.
Step 22: You can hang your portrait in a frame to compliment it.
You should use a frame that matches the medium you used to draw your portrait in.Hanging your drawing in a black frame is a great way to compliment it.Try a wooden frame if you use colored pencils.framing a self-portrait is an excellent way to show your accomplishment.