Facial Features Simplified

The iris is ½ the width of the white of the eye. Eyes The iris is ½ the width of the white of the eye. Eyes should be placed in the middle of the head. (Between the top of the head the chin) The distance between the the two eyes is equal to the width of one eye. The lines from the center of the eye line up with the corners of the mouth.

Above the eye, the upper eyelid forms a crease. Eyes Continued Above the eye, the upper eyelid forms a crease. Pay close attention to the location, direction, and appearance of the upper lid crease. Parts of the Eye You can determine the eye color by how light or dark the iris is in comparison to the pupil Average eyes- line follows the upper eyelid Heavy lids- crease is very high above the lid. Overhanging lids- when the crease line is very close to the eye or doesn’t show at all.

Noses These are the nine typical planes to look for on noses The nose is approximately 1/3 of the face: 1/3 Chin to nose, 1/3 nose to brow and 1/3 brow to hairline chin to nose, Remember to delineate the core shadows and the cast shadows

Drawing the Mouth Three forms to the upper lip: A, B, & C Two forms for the lower lip: D & E Two pillars underneath: F The ridges above and below the lips often get their own highlights: G Pay close attention to the location and shape of the tow points of the upper lip. The lower lip may be equal in size to the upper lip or smaller or larger. Use caution indicating the lower lip.

Shading the Mouth Though the upper and the lower lips are about the same shade, artists usually shade the upper lip darker than the lower lip. This will help differentiate the two lips and add to the illusion of depth in the work. Consider the ribs of a pumpkin to help define the roundness of lips. People that draw portraits often get lazy with the lips. You must accentuate the details. There is reflected light on the corners of the upper lip. The reflected light tends to show up under the core shadow, and the line between the lips isn’t a line- it’s a cast shadow. In the groove: The top of the two mountains come to a point at two ridges that extend up to the nose and form a rounded groove called the philtrum. Some people have a pronounced and others have slight philtrums.

Teeth Think of shading teeth as gently indicating the location and shape of teeth, rather than trying to put out all the details of each tooth. Don’t floss the teeth with your pencil. Gradually shade the teeth darker as they go back into the mouth. Then indicate the gum line, add shadows to round the teeth and call it quits.

Ears Helix Triangularis Fossa Antihelix Tragus Antitragus Lobe Ears differ from face to face. The ear is about as long as the nose and runs approximately from the eyebrow to the tip of the nose. Draw half a heart Draw another one on the other side Draw the Triangularis Fossa Add the bumps Add the Shading

Common Mistake: Spaghetti Hair method Establish an outline of the hair and highlights. Identify the hair direction. Create depth as you comb with the pencil. (Start with the crown, & lift your pencil when you reach the highlight,) Add the darks Blend the darks Common Mistake: Spaghetti Hair method