Learn how to depict aging in portraits by focusing on bone structure and fat movement rather than just wrinkles.
The skull becomes more visible as fat decreases and sags with age. In younger faces, fat hides skull structures. As we age, fat like the malar pads shifts downward, revealing bones like the cheekbones. Pay attention to areas like the cheeks, eyes, and jawline. Use shading and edges to show these changes, considering how light interacts with the planes of the face. Understanding these structural shifts helps you depict age effectively.
Level up your portrait skills in Michael Hampton’s course!
RELATED LINKS:
Head Construction For Different Character Types
How to Study the Skull for Better Drawings
Use Code BLACK20 to Save 20%
Give a gift
Give a gift card for art students to use on anything in the Proko store.
Or gift this course:
About instructor
Educator, painter, writer, and art historian. Author of Figure Drawing: Design and Invention.