Heads
3yr
Becca
I’m still working on heads. This one is better than before, but still has significant issues (obviously). I’m not posting the reference this time (from Pinterest) because I’m not focused on likeness yet, but any thoughts on what to work on first?
thanks!!
Hi Orion!
The quality was a bit blurry, but I've made some changes to show where you can improve. See attached image.
1. Midline of face too far to the side plane. It looks like you're trying to draw these from imagination which is ultimately the goal, but I would strongly suggest using reference when starting so you can get the visual library built up.
2. The midline should be very close to parallel to the vertical mark on the sideplane. Basically, once you get to the eyebrows you can drop the line straight parallel to the side plane vertical line.
3. The sideplanes of the head in a frontal view taper inward. The back will flare out a bit, but it's less than a perfect circle.
4. Your sideplanes are too short. They should be approximately 2/3rds the height of the circle. Your faces are going to be very smooshed and short if your sideplanes are short.
5. Initial circle needs a major and minor axis of very similar length to work.
There are other things with the more extreme angles, but I am out of time. HOpe this helps!
Sean
Asked for help
I think you render quite well but your structure underneath needs work. I recommend watching Proko's videos on the Loomis Method, taking notes, and then doing small 10-15 minute studies each day.
Hey orion, i'm not an expert myself but i have some experience drawing heads. I'd advise you to focus on how forms foreshorten when drawn from different angles. And to
Try to "really nail" the contour of the head before adding in the features like the eyes and nose.
I'd recommend the course "understanding and painting the head" by marco bucci on this site ( for only 30 dollars it is a great investment in what i sense that you are currently struggling with.) alternatively watch and rewatching proko's video's on the loomis head is free and helpful as well.
Try to draw from reference as much as possible.
Drawing from reference is a great way to learn how the puzzle pieces of the head fit into eachother.
-Cheers
I'd study proportions a bit closer. The forehead is a bit short and the mouth is also a bit short. The eyebrow is also a bit low, there should be more space between the eyelid and eyebrow. Shading is clear and not something I would worry about too much until you have your proportions down. The expression is strong and I like how you've rendered the hair!
Good try. You can work on your proportions. I use a proportional divider, especially with faces, because slight differences make a huge difference there.
Hi ! You really did well on the texture of the hair and the proportions are overall really good (and the lips,nose and the ear are *chef kiss*) !! I just have some things to point out , try go darker with your shading don't be scared to go darder it's gonna add more depth to your sketch and for the strands of hair in the area of the neck I don't know if you were impatient but the strokes are a bit too dense (? sorry my english isn't that good TT) and big they should be thiner I guess,but maybe it was like this in the reference ? You should maybe try to test your lines changing intensity,make big strokes or thinner ones and shade objects or faces with darker shades.Overall it's a really great piece (THE LIPS AND THE NOSE WOAH)
Hi Becca! Thanks for sharing. It looks like you are doing great but I will throw some comments your way so we can all grow together. Currently I feel that more tones could be added to the image as everything seems to be treated the same. To me there seems to be a light, a midtone and a dark. Increasing this to a minimal of 6 or even 9 tones would help out. Some of the hatching seems to be rather straight and seems to flatten the image. Having more of the lines follow the contours of the form would help define the structure.
I would argue that having fewer values is actually better. Images with fewer values tend to communicate easier and allow for a quicker read :)
You've got a lot of good components in here but I think making sure they mesh well together should be a priority. For example I like your nose and the mouth you drew on their own. But when I look at them together, they don't look like they were drawn from the same reference in mind because of the angles.
Thank you! This is so interesting to me! What about the nose and the mouth looks like they don’t go together?
Hi @Becca,
Lovely drawing!
I think that more focus on measuring the (main) proportions and construction would help improve the drawing. ;) Do you use the Loomis-head method when starting a portrait like this one? I like to keep the Loomis method 'in the back of my head' when drawing. I'm definitely not an expert on the method, but my basic knowlegde of the method often helps me to see, divide and 'deconstruct' a portrait in more simple shapes.
Hopefully this helps a bit!
-Leon
Thanks so much, Leon. I appreciate the response.
Yes, I use the Loomis method a lot, but to be honest, even when it works for volume and understanding the general proportions of the head, my proportions tend to still be way off. I didn’t use Loomis for this one (although you’re right that it always stays in the back of my head), and it’s really the first one of many that i didn’t. I tried to use straight lines this time - just for proportions purposes per a book I have called, “Lessons in Masterful Portrait Drawing” by Mau Kun-Yim.
Anyway, I have a long way to go and sometimes posting here makes me feel discouraged more than anything, so I’m not sure if it’s better to just keep going on my own for awhile.
I wonder if there are specific measurements that seem off to you? I felt like I got this one right, at least with respect to measurements, but of course I can’t always see my mistakes. And of course, it has a lot of other problems, so maybe it’s that.
Anyway, I appreciate the feedback. Thank you very much. ☺️
