Head Drawing and Construction
Introduction to the Skull and Abstraction
Head Construction and Invention
Perspective Forms of the Face and Features
Facial Features
Bonus Lessons
In this first head drawing and construction lesson, we’re focusing on the basic setup.
I use a four-step process to lay in the head's gesture, covering various positions. First, I address the cranial mass, often starting with a sphere or egg shape for simplicity. Next, I consider tilts to avoid static, vertical alignments. Then, I introduce the jaw and a T or cross for facial symmetry. Finally, I factor in perspective, using ellipses to indicate whether the head is viewed from above or below. This method ensures dynamic, expressive head drawings.
Newest
Guille Ibanez
4d
Great lesson and extra points for mentioning 'Dishonored'!! :)
@feawi
6d
How do you determine how far down to draw the brow in this stage?
Guille Ibanez
4d
yeah, thats the only thing i get a bit confused about
@feawi
1mo
I'm confused about this first video, are you giving an overview of what's to come or are we supposed to be drawing along?
•
1mo
You should follow along and try the steps.
@mcmelonandrew
2mo
im having a hard time wrapping my head around the major axis on the perspective portion, like at the end of the video where he checks if his major axis is half way. Half way to what?
•
2mo
Halfway in the sphere. The major axis remains centered despite the ellipse changing
Amber Pilkington, LPC-S
2mo
Side question ---- Is this procreate? Or what do digital artists use to draw on digitally? And then do you save your drawings or is it used kind of like a chalkboard where you just erase it when you are done?
Nick Quason
2mo
I use Adobe's Photoshop, it is a full fledged art software that can create all sorts of drawings and illustrations, as far as artists are concerned, it used to be primarily a tool for photo editing.
You can export files to use anywhere you like, for uploading on socials or even printing. Many professional artists in the industry use Photoshop to create artworks such as this https://www.artstation.com/artwork/g2BobG
It is not the only art software out there, some even more affordable. Hope it answers your questions :)
•
2mo
This is Photoshop. I draw on a wacom tablet.
@banano
2mo
Thank you so much. This lesson was awesome. I struggle with the Loomis method for some reason, but your approach feels so easy and intuitive.
I have a question. What size do you recommend drawing practice heads? I tried various sizes and found that starting with a sphere around 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 feels about right, but I would love to hear your wisdom on this.
•
2mo
That's great to hear! I'd recommend sticking to the size you're comfortable at for now. When you're ready I'd aim for drawing the head a little larger. Maybe, in total, the size of your palm.
@kkingmd
3mo
i’m a complete beginner, without formal training. i’ve watched this first lesson and am very excited to learn more! i have been trying to practice the steps on heads in various positions. and am pretty stumped on this one. i just can’t seem to get it right.i would love to see the ‘answer’. thank you!
•
3mo
Check out the critique video in this section. I troubleshoot this pose a few times.
Nick Quason
3mo
Practice from imagination. I feel that I understand the head construction a lot better when manipulating in 3D like this.
Amber Pilkington, LPC-S
2mo
So cool! How did you do that? Procreate?
•
3mo
Very cool!
@nodz
4mo
where do i get the references ?
Fernando Gomez Sancha
4mo
Amazing courses Michael, you are a great teacher and artist!
Jane Monroe
4mo
I don't really understand the last part about the ellipse and the equator line. It doesn't make sense. How does that help you with the proportions and perspective?
Nick Quason
3mo
Hi, it's about perspective. Not only does the ellipse tells us whether we are above or below the subject, but also how close or far is it from the horizon line. The closer the narrower, the farther the wider. View attached images. Do note that when something is on the horizon line, it's a straight line as the ellipse appears flat when viewed from the side.
Brhody Wallis
4mo
I feel like it would be super helpful if we could download the files you've done all of your examples on 😁😁😁
@rdpman
5mo
Practise drawings of the head construction
@veryartthing
5mo
Tried taking notes based on the video. The most useful thing I got out of this is definitely the tilt stuff. I hadn't seen any other art vids really talk about that before.
@73pctgeek
4mo
Thank you for the notes. I’ve found them very helpful!
John Daniels
5mo
I picked 6 of the images I knew where not being used as examples (just so I didn't try and just remember the "right" way to do things).
Diana Reid
5mo
I can only get better.
rigby pines
5mo
Follow along I did.
Jonatan
5mo
Pardon me, I have one question regarding the elipse within the sphere and the ecuator line, what is exactly the purpose of it? I've rewinded the video a couple times but I still can't quite grasp it.
•
5mo
It determines the heads perspective.
@soffe
5mo
I feel dum for asking but what is that brush you are using. Soft Round brush? Struggling to find a nice brush on procreate that feels like yours (sketch if no texture).
Hector Guerrero
2mo
I was wondering also lol
•
5mo
Here's a screenshot. I use a stock round brush in photoshop with these settings.
Alberto Pardina
5mo
Just a few poses that I was able to squeeze in today. Wanted to know if #4 read as her head looking down or if there was a way to make it look more believable that she is looking down. Thanks and looking forward to the future lessons.
•
5mo
Looking good! For #4 you could try foreshortening the jaw more or dropping the brow to ear ellipse further. Otherwise, I think it reads fine.
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About instructor
Educator, painter, writer, and art historian. Author of Figure Drawing: Design and Invention.
