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
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12d
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 🙏
@dbx
1mo
All 4 Steps done from memory
@ella3101
1mo
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
19d
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
28d
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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1mo
Totally agree lol. Perspective was the hardest hurdle as a beginner. It takes time. Be patient with yourself.
Guille Ibanez
2mo
Great lesson and extra points for mentioning 'Dishonored'!! :)
@feawi
2mo
How do you determine how far down to draw the brow in this stage?
Guille Ibanez
2mo
yeah, thats the only thing i get a bit confused about
@feawi
3mo
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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3mo
You should follow along and try the steps.
@mcmelonandrew
4mo
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?
•
4mo
Halfway in the sphere. The major axis remains centered despite the ellipse changing
Amber Pilkington, LPC-S
4mo
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
4mo
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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4mo
This is Photoshop. I draw on a wacom tablet.
@banano
4mo
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.
•
4mo
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
5mo
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!
•
5mo
Check out the critique video in this section. I troubleshoot this pose a few times.
Nick Quason
5mo
Practice from imagination. I feel that I understand the head construction a lot better when manipulating in 3D like this.
Amber Pilkington, LPC-S
4mo
So cool! How did you do that? Procreate?
•
5mo
Very cool!
@nodz
5mo
where do i get the references ?
Fernando Gomez Sancha
5mo
Amazing courses Michael, you are a great teacher and artist!
Jane Monroe
5mo
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
5mo
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
6mo
I feel like it would be super helpful if we could download the files you've done all of your examples on 😁😁😁
@rdpman
7mo
Practise drawings of the head construction
@veryartthing
7mo
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
6mo
Thank you for the notes. I’ve found them very helpful!
John Daniels
7mo
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
7mo
I can only get better.
rigby pines
7mo
Follow along I did.
Course by Michael Hampton
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About instructor
Educator, painter, writer, and art historian. Author of Figure Drawing: Design and Invention.
