Lise Herzog - Drawing Faces: Learn How to Draw Facial Expressions, Detailed Features, and Lifelike Portraits (How to Draw Books)

Drawing Faces

Learn How to Draw Facial Expressions, Detailed Features, and Lifelike Portraits

Lise Herzog

Copyright 2019 Editions Mango. Translation and design copyright 2022 Ulysses Press and its licensors. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized duplication in whole or in part or dissemination of this edition by any means (including but not limited to photocopying, electronic devices, digital versions, and the internet) will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

First published in 2019 as Visages & expressions: 50 modles pour dbuter in Paris, France, by Editions Mango.

Published in the US by:

ULYSSES PRESS

PO Box 3440

Berkeley, CA 94703

www.ulyssespress.com

ISBN: 978-1-64604-320-0

ISBN: 978-1-64604-326-2 (eBook)

Acquisitions editor: Keith Riegert

Managing editor: Claire Chun

Project manager: Kierra Sondereker

Editor: Joyce Wu

Proofreader: Renee Rutledge

Front cover design: Flor Figueroa

Interior design and layout: what!design @ whatweb.com

Production assistant: Yesenia Garcia-Lopez

Drawing a face can seem difficult. How do you convey a certain realism? How do you capture the expression of features, faithfully depict your subject, or find a way to accurately draw the nose and eyes?

First of all, you can use a few fairly simple rules of proportion. But you dont have to apply them to the letter to give your drawing style and expression. Rules of proportion help you put each facial element more or less in its place so that the face does not break down. Once you internalize a few of these guidelines, you can free yourself to experiment a little.

Because each face is different, how you draw a persons face will depend on whether they are real or from your imagination, whether they are a man or woman, or where they are from. All of this information will help you modify the proportions of the face and, of course, change the shape of the different features that make it up.

People often want to draw someone they know. And after the drawing is done, its not uncommon to find that the result doesnt seem to look like the model at all. However, if you look at the drawing without comparing it to the model (a real subject or photo), you may realize that you can still recognize the person in the drawing.

Furthermore, if you show your drawing to someone else, theres a good chance that person will recognize the subject also. How is this possible? Even if your drawing doesnt reproduce every detail of a face, it may still capture the models characteristic features.

When you draw someones face, first try to pinpoint what that persons identifying features are, such as the shape of the chin, the droop of the eyes, or the length of the forehead. Then focus on these defining elements and build the rest of the face around them. Dont hesitate to caricature them a bit. Accessories, like a pair of glasses or a beard, are invaluable aids.

To accurately represent expressions or emotions, try observing yourself in a mirror. Smile and watch where your face creaseswhich part goes up or down, etc. Imagine invisible arrows that show the direction of your facial movements.

There are a thousand ways to represent the nose, mouth, or eyes and to make your drawing realistic. Depending on your perspective, you can simplify or exaggerate certain details.

The more you observe and draw, the more you will refine your perception skills. It may be that one day you think your drawing is perfectly proportioned, but the next day your impression of that same drawing has changed. Consider why and make a new drawing without getting discouraged. Each drawing, easy or difficult, is an essential step along the road of progress.

There are many tools available to help you refine your drawing and achieve your desired look. Some tools, such as regular pencils, graphite drawing pencils, and old felt-tip markers, allow you to make lighter or darker lines depending on the pressure you use. Others, like some pens and India ink, are dark from the start and leave little room for error. However, these darker materials make it easier to erase a base sketch. Ballpoint pens are interesting because they can be very soft and unobtrusive while still providing beautifully dark colors. And indelible ink can allow you to rework a drawing with a wet technique.

As complicated as a face is, its made up of simple angles and shapes, including circles, ovals, and straight lines. You can therefore begin by sketching a frame of simple shapes, which can then be dressed by redrawing the face in more detail and with contours. For these base sketches, its best to use graphite pencils, which are forgiving and allow you to easily shade and erase your lines.

Whichever medium you prefer, take time to observe the subject, and embrace mistakes. Each error sharpens your gaze, and each attempt gives you more confidence!

THE BASICS OF THE FACE

To draw a face, follow a few rules of simple proportions. These rules of proportion bring consistency and realism to your drawing.

Start by drawing a large circle.

Then draw a vertical line down the center of the circle.

Draw half of an oval at the bottom of the circle to extend it downward.

Frame the top and bottom of the face with two horizontal lines, then draw a third line halfway between them. Throughout this book, Ill call this line the center line.