How To Draw Outline Of A Face

Drawing the outline of a face is a foundational skill for any artist, whether you're a beginner or an experienced portraitist. A well-constructed outline serves as the roadmap for capturing likeness, proportion, and character. This comprehensive guide will break down the process into manageable steps, covering essential techniques, providing helpful tips, and addressing common challenges. Whether you're working from life, a photograph, or your imagination, mastering the basic outline is the first step towards creating compelling and realistic portraits.

Introduction

The outline of a face, also known as the contour, is the outermost line that defines the shape and form of the head, face, and its features. It's more than just a simple tracing; it's a careful observation and translation of three-dimensional forms onto a two-dimensional surface. A good outline captures the subtle curves, angles, and planes of the face, setting the stage for adding details like shading, highlights, and textures. This article will guide you through various techniques and considerations to help you create accurate and expressive facial outlines.

Materials You'll Need

Before we dive in, let's gather the necessary materials:

• Paper: Smooth drawing paper is ideal for beginners, as it allows for easy erasing and smooth lines.
• Pencils: A range of pencils, from hard (2H-4H) to soft (2B-6B), will be useful. Harder pencils are great for light, preliminary sketches, while softer pencils are better for darker, more defined lines.
• Eraser: A kneaded eraser is excellent for lifting graphite without damaging the paper. A regular eraser is also useful for more significant corrections.
• Sharpener: Keep your pencils sharp for precise lines.
• Reference Image (Optional): If you're working from a reference, choose a clear, well-lit photograph or a live model.
• Ruler or Compass (Optional): These tools can be helpful for establishing basic proportions, especially when starting out.

Step-by-Step Guide: Drawing a Basic Facial Outline

Here's a step-by-step guide to help you draw a basic facial outline. Remember, practice is key. Don't be discouraged if your first attempts aren't perfect.

Step 1: Establishing the Basic Head Shape

The first step is to create a simple representation of the head's overall shape.

1. Draw an Oval: Lightly sketch an oval shape. This will form the basis of the skull. Don't make it a perfect oval; the human head is rarely symmetrical.
2. Divide the Oval: Draw a vertical line down the center of the oval. This is the line of symmetry, which will help you align the facial features. Then, draw a horizontal line across the oval, approximately halfway down. This is the eyeline.
3. Refine the Jawline: From the bottom of the oval, sketch two lines that curve inward towards the vertical centerline. These lines will form the jawline. The shape of the jawline varies greatly from person to person; some have a strong, angular jaw, while others have a softer, more rounded jaw. Observe your reference carefully.
4. Mark the Chin: Where the jawlines meet at the bottom is the chin. The chin can be pointed, rounded, or even slightly squared.

Step 2: Placing Key Facial Features

With the basic head shape established, we can now start placing the key facial features.

1. Nose: Divide the lower half of the face (below the eyeline) in half again. This new horizontal line marks the bottom of the nose. Sketch a simple shape for the nose, paying attention to its width and projection. Remember, the nose is a three-dimensional form, so consider its planes and angles.
2. Mouth: Divide the space between the bottom of the nose and the chin in half. This line marks the mouth line. The mouth line isn't a straight line; it has a subtle curve. Sketch the upper and lower lips, paying attention to their shape and thickness. The mouth is also not static; its expression can significantly alter the overall appearance of the face.
3. Eyes: The eyes are typically located on the eyeline. The distance between the eyes is usually about the width of one eye. Sketch the basic almond shape of the eyes, paying attention to the slant of the eyelids. The inner corner of the eye is usually slightly lower than the outer corner.
4. Eyebrows: The eyebrows sit above the eyes, following the curve of the brow bone. They start slightly inward from the inner corner of the eye and extend outwards. The shape and thickness of the eyebrows can greatly affect the expression of the face.
5. Ears: The ears are typically located between the eyeline and the bottom of the nose. Sketch the basic shape of the ear, paying attention to its curves and folds. The top of the ear usually aligns with the eyebrow, and the bottom of the ear aligns with the bottom of the nose.

Step 3: Refining the Outline and Adding Details

Now that we have the basic shapes and features in place, we can refine the outline and add more detail.

1. Refine the Head Shape: Go back to the original oval and refine the shape of the head. Adjust the forehead, cheeks, and jawline to match your reference. Pay attention to the subtle curves and angles of the face.
2. Define the Hairline: Sketch the hairline. The hairline can be straight, curved, or receding. The way the hair frames the face can greatly affect the overall appearance.
3. Add Neck and Shoulders: Extend the lines of the jaw down to create the neck. The neck is not a simple cylinder; it has subtle curves and angles. Add the shoulders to provide context and balance to the portrait.
4. Refine Facial Features: Go back to each facial feature and refine its shape and detail. Add the curve of the nostrils, the shape of the lips, and the details of the eyes.
5. Erase Guidelines: Once you're happy with the outline, carefully erase the initial guidelines and construction lines.

Step 4: Adding Line Weight and Variation

To make your outline more dynamic and expressive, vary the line weight.

1. Thicker Lines: Use thicker lines in areas where there is more shadow or where the form recedes. For example, you might use a thicker line along the jawline or under the chin.
2. Thinner Lines: Use thinner lines in areas where there is more light or where the form projects forward. For example, you might use a thinner line along the cheekbone or the bridge of the nose.
3. Broken Lines: Use broken lines to suggest texture or detail. For example, you might use broken lines to indicate the edge of the hair.

Step 5: Final Touches and Adjustments

Step back and assess your drawing. Make any final adjustments to the outline, proportions, or details.

1. Check Proportions: Compare your drawing to your reference (if you're using one) and make sure the proportions are accurate.
2. Add Subtle Details: Add any subtle details that you may have missed, such as wrinkles around the eyes or the curve of the lips.
3. Clean Up: Erase any stray lines or smudges.

Advanced Techniques for Drawing Facial Outlines

Once you've mastered the basic outline, you can explore more advanced techniques to enhance your drawings.

1. Loomis Method

The Loomis Method, developed by artist Andrew Loomis, is a popular technique for constructing the head. It involves drawing a sphere and then adding planes to create the shape of the face.

• Draw a Sphere: Start by drawing a perfect sphere.
• Divide the Sphere: Draw a vertical line down the center of the sphere and a horizontal line around the middle.
• Add the Face Plane: Draw a plane that extends forward from the sphere. This plane represents the front of the face.
• Define the Jawline: Draw lines from the bottom of the sphere to the face plane to create the jawline.
• Add Facial Features: Place the facial features on the face plane, using the guidelines as a reference.

2. Planes of the Face

Understanding the planes of the face can help you create more realistic and three-dimensional outlines. The face is not a smooth, curved surface; it has a series of planes that catch the light and create shadows.

• Forehead Plane: The forehead plane is typically flat or slightly curved.
• Cheek Plane: The cheek plane slopes downwards from the cheekbone to the jawline.
• Jaw Plane: The jaw plane is typically flat or slightly angled.
• Nose Plane: The nose has several planes, including the bridge, the sides, and the tip.
• Mouth Plane: The mouth also has several planes, including the upper lip, the lower lip, and the chin.

3. Negative Space

Negative space is the space around and between objects. Paying attention to negative space can help you see the shapes more accurately and improve your drawing.

• Focus on the Empty Space: Instead of focusing on the face itself, focus on the space around the face.
• Draw the Negative Shapes: Draw the shapes of the negative spaces.
• Use Negative Space to Check Proportions: Use the negative spaces to check the proportions of your drawing.

4. Gesture Drawing

Gesture drawing is a quick, expressive way to capture the essence of a subject. It focuses on capturing the movement and energy of the pose, rather than the details.

• Draw Quickly: Work quickly and intuitively, without focusing on accuracy.
• Capture the Energy: Focus on capturing the movement and energy of the pose.
• Use Loose Lines: Use loose, flowing lines to create a sense of movement.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when drawing facial outlines:

• Symmetry: Faces are rarely perfectly symmetrical. Avoid making your outline too symmetrical, as it can look unnatural.
• Flatness: The face is a three-dimensional form. Avoid making your outline too flat, as it can lack depth and realism.
• Proportions: Pay attention to the proportions of the face. Incorrect proportions can make your drawing look distorted.
• Over-Detailing: Avoid adding too much detail to the outline. The outline is just the foundation for the drawing; you can add more detail later with shading and rendering.
• Tension: Relax your hand and arm while drawing. Avoid gripping the pencil too tightly, as it can create stiff, unnatural lines.

Tips for Improving Your Facial Outlines

Here are some tips to help you improve your facial outlines:

• Practice Regularly: The more you practice, the better you'll become.
• Use References: Work from life or from photographs.
• Study Anatomy: Learn about the anatomy of the face. Understanding the underlying structure will help you create more realistic outlines.
• Experiment with Different Techniques: Try different techniques, such as the Loomis Method or gesture drawing.
• Get Feedback: Ask other artists for feedback on your drawings.
• Be Patient: Learning to draw takes time and effort. Don't get discouraged if you don't see results immediately.
• Observe Carefully: The key to drawing accurate outlines is careful observation. Pay attention to the subtle curves, angles, and planes of the face.
• Start Light: Begin with light, tentative lines and gradually darken them as you refine the outline.
• Use Guidelines: Use guidelines to help you place the facial features accurately.
• Vary Line Weight: Vary the line weight to create a more dynamic and expressive outline.
• Take Breaks: Take breaks to rest your eyes and clear your mind.

Scientific Explanation of Facial Recognition and Drawing

The human brain is wired to recognize faces. This ability is crucial for social interaction and survival. When we look at a face, our brains quickly process a wealth of information, including the shape of the face, the placement of the features, and the expression.

Drawing a facial outline involves a similar process. The artist must observe the face carefully, analyze its shape and features, and then translate that information onto paper. This requires a combination of visual perception, spatial reasoning, and fine motor skills.

Neuroscience of Facial Recognition

• Fusiform Face Area (FFA): This area of the brain is specialized for facial recognition. Damage to the FFA can result in prosopagnosia, or face blindness.
• Occipital Face Area (OFA): This area processes the visual features of faces, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Superior Temporal Sulcus (STS): This area processes dynamic facial information, such as expressions and gaze direction.

Cognitive Processes in Drawing

• Visual Perception: The artist must be able to accurately perceive the shape, size, and proportions of the face.
• Spatial Reasoning: The artist must be able to mentally manipulate the three-dimensional form of the face and translate it onto a two-dimensional surface.
• Fine Motor Skills: The artist must have the fine motor skills to control the pencil and create precise lines.

Conclusion

Drawing the outline of a face is a fundamental skill that can be mastered with practice and patience. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can learn to create accurate and expressive facial outlines that capture the likeness and character of your subjects. Remember to start with the basic shapes, pay attention to proportions, refine the details, and vary the line weight. Don't be afraid to experiment with different techniques and find what works best for you. With dedication and persistence, you can develop your skills and create stunning portraits.