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
Jack Mills
10d
This lesson was really good. I liked the amount of detail you went into explain the method.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Bluebeeck
11d
I struggled a lot with the perspective of the first drawing of the second image, but I think the rest are acceptable.
@dwt12345
23d
Wow, I can't believe Hampton's teaching a course here! I've had his figure drawing book since high school and loved it, even though I never had the dedication to put it to thorough use.
These all took me about 2 minutes. I also made an embarrassing attempt at a full construction, which will hopefully contribute to a satisfying before-and-after once I've finished the course.
I'd appreciate any advice or guidance. What usually trips me up is the far side of the face and jaw.
Max Long
1mo
Would it be a safe assumption that the direction of the minor axis of the brow to ear ellipse will be the same as the head tilt?
@psanpal
2mo
Hi, I am new here. As this course is currently active and new lessons are added regularly, so will I get access to the newly added videos to this course ? Currently there are 26 lesson to this course.
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2mo
This course is complete. No new lessons planned for now. Hope that helps
FFFF AAAAA
3mo
I still don't get which direction the tilt of the neck in the early stage :(
How i can decide which direction should be? Do i need to check the neck anatomy to understand?
I hope you understand my question 🙏
Josh Fiddler
2mo
Do you still need a hand with this?
@dbx
3mo
All 4 Steps done from memory
@ella3101
3mo
Thinking in perspective is likely the most mind fuck thing for a beginner lol. I found the first lesson a bit challenge to follow along with as a complete beginner. Perspective the last step is most challenging, I still don't get it. But this seems like one of those things I just have to go through to learn this, it can't be helped. You are my last hope haha
carla toms
3mo
Marshall Vandruff said to draw 20 boxes a day so every day i drew 20 boxes in perspective. took about a month before i could flip the boxes any old which way. then i added cylinders and spheres. i started to look for and to see perspective everywhere. so it took a while, about a month or two, before i felt like perspective wasn't breaking my brain. so may i suggest boxes? you can draw them anywhere. no one has to know you're studying perspective
Josh Fiddler
3mo
I second MH's "be patient with yourself".
But as I was where you were not too long ago, I can tell you, the key is to keep practising and remember to have some fun! Truly, practice makes progress. But don't get too discouraged when it feels hard or you're not making progress fast enough.
Something that could help is to check out the DrawABox lessons, if you haven't already. They helped me a TON but can feel a bit demanding a times. It took me a long time to get through the first two lessons but they changed how I approach drawing completely. But they are free at DRAWABOX.com with community critiques or you can pay a little bit a month for critiques from the DAB team.
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3mo
Totally agree lol. Perspective was the hardest hurdle as a beginner. It takes time. Be patient with yourself.
Guille Ibanez
4mo
Great lesson and extra points for mentioning 'Dishonored'!! :)
@feawi
4mo
How do you determine how far down to draw the brow in this stage?
Guille Ibanez
4mo
yeah, thats the only thing i get a bit confused about
@feawi
5mo
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?
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5mo
You should follow along and try the steps.
@mcmelonandrew
6mo
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?
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6mo
Halfway in the sphere. The major axis remains centered despite the ellipse changing
Amber Pilkington, LPC-S
6mo
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
6mo
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 :)
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6mo
This is Photoshop. I draw on a wacom tablet.
@banano
6mo
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.
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6mo
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
7mo
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!
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7mo
Check out the critique video in this section. I troubleshoot this pose a few times.
Nick Quason
7mo
Practice from imagination. I feel that I understand the head construction a lot better when manipulating in 3D like this.
Amber Pilkington, LPC-S
6mo
So cool! How did you do that? Procreate?
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7mo
Very cool!
@nodz
8mo
where do i get the references ?
Fernando Gomez Sancha
8mo
Amazing courses Michael, you are a great teacher and artist!
Jane Monroe
8mo
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
7mo
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
8mo
I feel like it would be super helpful if we could download the files you've done all of your examples on 😁😁😁
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About instructor
Educator, painter, writer, and art historian. Author of Figure Drawing: Design and Invention.
