Instructions On Pencil Portrait Drawing – The Profile Pose
A interesting thing about drawing the profile view is that novices find it much easier than the other poses. Yet, the advanced artist can find the profile quite demanding.
For the advanced artist the challenge lies in the struggle to affect a three-dimensional sculptured feel.
Looking at the construct in the side view observe how the head is broken down into straight lines. Using these architectonic lines suggests a solidity of shape.
In the start, you should keep the shapes simple. Also at this point, do not draw all the profiled features. There are two reasons for this:
1. It is very likely that even the most gifted artist will be off, and
2. Once a line is established the logical center of your brain will consider that relationship as correct one. Therefore, it will look correct to you but everyone else will see the mistake.
There is a superior way. You start with striking the construct using architectonically straight lines. The chief worries are fixing the general proportions and shape properly. At a more advanced level you should also consider rhythm and flow.
Instead of straight away incorporating the nose into the construct you should make use of the facial angle, i.e., the line from the forehead to the chin that breaks at the bottom of the nose. The signpost reference for the bottom of the nose is the small ledge-like bump.
A plumb-bob is an great tool for accurately placing the bottom of the nose. A plumb-bob is a length of wire (preferably black carpet thread) that has a weight attached to it. The plumb-bob is used to verify vertical alignments (when working with life models) and their relations to that vertical line. The vertical line is called the plumb-line.
Aligning the plumb-line to the chin allows you more accurately to see the relationship of brow to chin. The brow is set back from the chin. Note that the entire region of chin and mouth is called the “muzzle”.
Having verified that the initial construct and facial angle are correct you can now continue with establishing the facial proportions, chief anatomical signposts, and the hair-line. So, at this point do not even think about drawing the complete nose. Drawing the nose at this point is a sure remedy for disaster. The angle of the nose and the construction of the tip require a high degree of accuracy.
Instead, begin to draw the general light/dark pattern.
The lights are taken out using a putty eraser. The look we are looking for is that of a ghost image. That means, above all, not to add minutia. In addition, work from the general to the specific.
Once the general light/dark pattern is developed then the profiled features can be done. utilizing a very sharp pencil you can work upwards from the chin to the forehead carefully observing the shape. As you sketch mutter the anatomical definitions of each feature that you construct. You would be amazed at how that ilucidates the sketching process. Having an idea of the facial anatomy will set your portrait sketching miles ahead of those who do not.
The tip of the nose, particularly, requires anatomical reconstruction to get it correct.
A common error beginners make with the side view is placing the eye too far forward. The eye sockets are recessed quite considerably into the head. If you drop a plumb-line from the inside corner of the eye you will see that the eye aligns itself with the node of the mouth.
Further rendering and hatching values are done with 2H and 4H pencils. Choosing how far you want to take your sketch is an aesthetic choice you have to make yourself. If you want, you can leave the portrait somewhat unresolved.
In conclusion, sketching the side view involves the same general ideas relevant to any view. In this case, the construct is particularly important. The important thing to remember is not to place the actual complete features of the head too early in the process.
Do you want to learn the secrets of pencil portrait sketching? Download my brand new free pencil portrait drawing course here: portrait drawing tutorial.
Remi Engels is a pencil portrait artist and oil painter and expert sketching teacher. See his work at graphite pencil portraits by Remi.
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