Drawing Techniques

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Quick Answer

• Build your head drawing from basic geometric shapes and anatomical landmarks.
• Utilize carefully placed guide lines to ensure accurate feature placement and proportions.
• Develop depth and realism through thoughtful shading that follows the form.

Who This Is For

• Aspiring artists who want to build a solid foundation in portraiture.
• Anyone looking to break free from flat-looking drawings and add dimension to their work.
• Hobbyists wanting to sketch friends, family, or characters with recognizable features.

What to Check First

• Gather your references. Find clear photos of heads in a true side profile. Look for different angles and lighting to understand how form changes. A good reference is your best friend out here.
• Check your tools. A range of pencils (like HB for sketching, 2B or 4B for shading), a kneaded eraser for lifting graphite subtly, and smooth drawing paper are essential.
• Study basic skull anatomy. Understanding the underlying bone structure – the cranium, the cheekbone, the jawline – is crucial for getting those natural curves and angles right. It’s like knowing the frame before you hang the picture.
• Consider the overall shape. Is the head tilted up, down, or straight? This will affect your initial circle and guide line placement.

Mastering the Side View: How to Draw a Head with Confidence

Step-by-Step Plan: Drawing a Head Side View

1. Sketch the Cranium Circle. Start with a loose circle. This represents the main volume of the skull. Don’t press too hard; this is just a guide.

• What to look for: A shape that feels like the back and top of the head. Imagine a balloon where the face will attach.
• Mistake to avoid: Making the circle too small or too large relative to the intended final size of your drawing. This will throw off all subsequent proportions.

2. Draw the Profile Line. Lightly draw a vertical line that goes straight down through the center of your circle. This line dictates the front-to-back depth of the head and where the nose and mouth will emerge.

• What to look for: A line that divides the circle as evenly as possible, establishing the central plane of the face.
• Mistake to avoid: Drawing this line off-center. If it’s crooked, the entire head will be skewed, making it look like it’s constantly glancing away.

3. Establish the Eye Line. Add a horizontal line that cuts across the circle. For a neutral side view, this line is typically placed about two-thirds of the way down from the top of the circle. This is where the eyes will be located.

• What to look for: A horizontal line that creates a clear division for the upper and lower halves of the face.
• Mistake to avoid: Placing the eye line too high (making the forehead too small) or too low (making the chin area too large). This is a common beginner error.

4. Define the Jaw and Chin. From the bottom of the circle, sketch out the jawline. It will curve downwards and then forward, meeting the bottom of the profile line to form the chin. Think of a subtle “L” shape or a softened curve.

• What to look for: A natural transition from the skull to the lower face. The angle of the jaw varies between individuals.
• Mistake to avoid: Drawing a jaw that is too short, too long, too wide, or too narrow. This can drastically alter the character and likeness of the head.

5. Place the Nose. The nose begins to project from the profile line, generally starting around where the profile line meets the bottom of the circle or slightly above. The bridge of the nose will angle back towards the eye line.

• What to look for: A protrusion that feels balanced with the rest of the head’s dimensions. The length of the nose is often roughly equal to the distance from the eye line to the chin.
• Mistake to avoid: Making the nose too flat against the head or jutting out too far and too abruptly. It needs to feel integrated with the skull.

6. Position the Mouth. The mouth is located below the nose. The line separating the lips typically falls roughly halfway between the bottom of the nose and the chin. The width of the mouth can vary, but it usually aligns with the pupils of the eyes if they were looking forward.

• What to look for: A subtle curve that suggests the shape of the lips. Consider the thickness of the upper and lower lips.
• Mistake to avoid: Drawing the mouth too wide or too narrow, or placing it too high or too low, disrupting the facial harmony.

7. Add the Ear. The ear is usually positioned between the eye line and the bottom of the nose, with its top aligning roughly with the eye line and its bottom aligning with the base of the nose. The ear is surprisingly complex, so start with its basic C-shape.

• What to look for: An ear that sits naturally against the side of the head, not floating too far away or appearing too small or too large.
• Mistake to avoid: Placing the ear too high or too low on the head. This is a dead giveaway of an amateur drawing.

8. Refine and Shade for Form. Now, start to clean up your sketch. Erase unnecessary construction lines and begin to build form with shading. Observe your reference photos closely. Where does the light hit directly (highlights)? Where does it fall away (mid-tones)? Where are the darkest areas (shadows)? Follow the curves of the skull and face with your shading.

• What to look for: Gradual transitions between light and shadow that reveal the three-dimensional shape of the head. Think about the curve of the cranium, the planes of the cheek, and the hollows around the eye and mouth.
• Mistake to avoid: Applying flat, uniform shading. This will make your head drawing look like a cutout. Use a range of tones and blend them smoothly to create a sense of volume and realism.

Common Mistakes in Drawing a Head Side View

• Incorrect Proportions — This is the big one. Distorts the head’s appearance, making it look unnatural or even grotesque.
• Why it matters: Accurate proportions are the foundation of a believable portrait.
• Fix: Constantly refer to your guide lines and reference images. Measure distances on your reference and try to replicate them on your drawing. Don’t be afraid to erase and adjust.

• Flat Shading — Lacks depth and realism, making the head appear two-dimensional.
• Why it matters: Shading is what gives your drawing life and makes it look like a real, rounded form.
• Fix: Observe how light interacts with surfaces. Use a range of values from light to dark, and blend them smoothly to show the curvature of the skull, cheeks, and jaw. Think about cast shadows as well.

• Ignoring Skull Structure — Leads to unnatural shapes and an “off” feeling, even if proportions are somewhat correct.
• Why it matters: The skull is the underlying structure. Drawing it correctly means your features will sit in the right places and have the correct contours.
• Fix: Study basic skull anatomy. Understand where the major bones are and how they influence the surface forms. Even a simplified understanding helps immensely.

• Overly Defined Lines — Makes the drawing look stiff, cartoony, or like a coloring book outline.
• Why it matters: Real-world forms have softer edges, especially when viewed from a distance or in varying light conditions.
• Fix: Soften edges where appropriate, particularly around the hairline, jawline, and neck. Use your eraser to lift and blend lines. Shading should often define form more than hard outlines.

• Wrong Eye Placement or Shape — The eyes are incredibly expressive and crucial for likeness.
• Why it matters: Incorrectly placed or shaped eyes can make a portrait look “wrong” or unconvincing.
• Fix: Ensure your eyes are placed on the established eye line. Pay attention to the almond shape, the eyelids, and the subtle curve of the eyeball itself. Don’t draw a perfect circle for the eye; it’s usually an almond shape set into sockets.

• Neglecting the Neck and Shoulders — A disconnected head looks like it’s floating.
• Why it matters: The head is attached to a body. Even a simple suggestion of the neck and shoulders grounds the portrait.
• Fix: Add a basic indication of the neck, which typically tapers from behind the jaw and ear. A hint of the collarbone or shoulder line can further enhance the sense of realism.

FAQ: Your Questions About Drawing a Head Side View Answered

• What is the best way to start drawing a head from the side?

The most effective way to begin drawing a head from the side is by using basic geometric shapes as a foundation. Start with a circle for the cranium, then add a vertical profile line and a horizontal eye line. These guides will help you establish accurate placement and proportions for all the facial features. Think of it as building the skeleton before adding the flesh.

• How do I determine the correct proportions for a side view head?

You can determine correct proportions by using the initial circle as your guide. The eye line is generally placed about two-thirds of the way down the circle. The length of the nose is often similar to the distance from the eye line to the chin. The mouth sits below the nose, and the ear typically fits between the eye line and the base of the nose. Always compare your drawing to your reference to ensure accuracy.

• Where should I place the features like the eyes, nose, and mouth?

In a side view, the eyes are placed on the horizontal eye line you’ve drawn. The nose begins to project from the profile line, usually around the level of the bottom of the circle or slightly above. The mouth is positioned below the nose, with the lip line typically halfway between the bottom of the nose and the chin. The ear is usually situated between the eye line and the bottom of the nose.

• How do I make the head look three-dimensional and not flat?

Achieving a three-dimensional look relies heavily on skillful shading. Observe your reference to understand how light falls on the head. Use a range of tones – from bright highlights on the planes facing the light source to deep shadows in the hollows and on the side away from the light. Smooth transitions between these tones will reveal the form and make the head appear rounded and solid.

• What if my drawing still looks a bit “off” or not quite right?

If your drawing feels off, it’s usually due to a subtle issue with proportions, perspective, or shading. Double-check your initial guide lines and compare them against your reference. Are the distances between features correct? Is the angle of the jaw accurate? Also, look at your shading – are you showing the roundness of the forms, or is it too flat? Sometimes, stepping away from the drawing for a bit and coming back with fresh eyes can help you spot these issues.

• How much detail should I include in the ear?

The ear can be tricky, but for a side view, focus on its basic shape first: a C-shape with some internal curves. You don’t need to render every single detail perfectly unless it’s a very close-up portrait. Getting the overall placement and general form correct is more important than intricate details. Think of it as a sculpted element attached to the side of the head.

• Should I draw the hair at the same time as the head?

It’s generally best to draw the underlying structure of the head first, including the skull and features. Once the head form is established and looks correct, you can then add the hair. Hair has its own volume and shape, and drawing it over a poorly constructed head will only compound problems. Think of hair as a cap or a mass that follows the contours of the skull.