Drawing Portraits For The Absolute Beginner : A... May 2026

Before drawing details like eyelashes or wrinkles, you must build the "skeleton" of the drawing:

If you are looking to start your journey into portraiture, "Drawing Portraits for the Absolute Beginner" (part of the popular "For the Absolute Beginner" series by Mark and Mary Willenbrink) is widely considered one of the best entry points. It breaks down the intimidating task of drawing faces into manageable, logical steps.

This determines where the "highlights" go and where the "core shadows" fall. Drawing Portraits for the Absolute Beginner : a...

The head is roughly five "eyes" wide. There is exactly one eye-width of space between the two eyes.

Portraiture is less about lines and more about (the lightness or darkness of a color). Before drawing details like eyelashes or wrinkles, you

While every face is unique, beginners start with "ideal" proportions to understand placement:

Here is a foundational overview of the concepts and techniques typically covered for a true beginner: 1. The Core Philosophy: See, Don’t Think The head is roughly five "eyes" wide

Focus on the specific curves, the weight of the eyelid, and how the light hits the iris. Treat the face as a collection of abstract shapes and shadows. 2. Understanding Proportions (The "Standard" Face)