How to Draw a Face Sketch
Drawing a face sketch or a pencil portrait is tricky as it gives very little room for error when trying to capture someone’s true form and likeness. Also, learning realistic pencil drawings for objects is imperative if you want to draw a good and realistic face.
This is why most beginner artists have a very difficult time getting the smoothness in their pencil sketches like a professional one and that can only be done by patience and practice.
So here a guide on how to draw a face sketch:
1. Start with a light sketch
Begin your face sketch with a light outline and cover the major features first. Create a foundation of your sketch through the outlines and later add the details.
We think that we know the proportions of a face, but it doesn’t seem the case when we start drawing. Hence, it is better to practice using value scales and drawing each of the facial features individually first, so that you can easily work on the mistakes if you make them.
2. Start making larger shapes and shading to your face sketch
Shading precisely adds a professional touch to the sketches. Doing that in a controlled and a managed way is also essential. For realistic shadow effects, you can use your medium, whether pencil or charcoal, to draw out the shades and blend them. Start from dark and gradually fade into the light lengthwise just like you do when drawing the value scales.
It is also important to add the lighting in your sketches, preferably top-lighting or lighting from the above. This looks professional especially when you are sketching from a photograph.
3. Do hairline after the outline
As explained above, you need to work with the outlines of the face, including the head. Then fill it in with thick lines, shadows and then add some highlights as you go along to give it a real look.
4. Fine details come last
After you have outlined the foundation and are over with basic shading, you can move to add details to your sketch. Spend some time on eyes, lips, and neck, and add some shading so that the face sketch gets a realistic tone. If you want you can also add some colour with coloured pencils or watercolours.
5. Practice everyday
The practice is the ultimate advice any artist can give. It takes some time to get better at what you’re doing, and as you get better, you’ll start loving your art.
Also, try to frame your portraits which you feel are nicely done by you. A standard black frame works well with all portraits made of charcoal.
For professional and realistic pencil drawings, you need more than just practice, and that is affordable and professional art supplies. Check out Pencil Perception’s Material list to buy before you start learning drawing, where you get the details about every material and tool used in art along with recommendations according to your level of practice. For beginners and advanced artists, this platform is worth joining!
