How to Draw a Portrait

Finished portrait drawing with realistic facial features and three-dimensional shading

Using classic techniques, we will show you how to draw a portrait step by step and how to create volume in your composition.

What is the academic approach, and why did we choose to demonstrate portrait drawing this way?

There are many different ways to create a portrait. You can begin with a single detail, such as an eyebrow, and gradually add the remaining facial features. Or you can start with a simple head shape, then gradually add construction guidelines and details.

Each of these methods has its advantages, and all of them can help you become a better portrait artist. However, the approach presented in this tutorial teaches you to construct the human face in a thoughtful and systematic way.

When drawing a human face, remember that you are depicting a three-dimensional form. The head has volume, weight, and occupies space rather than existing on a flat surface.

How to draw a portrait step by step

Step 1: Sketch the head shape

Begin by sketching the overall shape of the head using very light construction lines. Following the principles of composition, position the head so that there is enough space around it. Try to capture the basic shape of the head as accurately as possible.

Sketching the basic head shape with light construction lines

Step 2: Add facial guidelines

Draw a vertical centerline to help position the facial features symmetrically. Then sketch the horizontal eye line, followed by the guidelines for the nose and mouth.

Adding facial guidelines for the portrait drawing

Step 3: Block in facial features

Lightly sketch the eyes, eyebrows, lips, ear, and hair using simple shapes. Keep the details generalized, and work across the entire portrait rather than finishing one side first. Constantly compare both halves of the face to maintain symmetry.

Blocking in the portrait’s facial features with simple shapes

Step 4: Refine the facial features

Continue refining the facial features, gradually adding more detail. Sketch the lower eyelids, the visible nostril, and refine the lips. Outline the cheek and chin. Work evenly across both sides of the portrait, and occasionally step back to evaluate the drawing as a whole.

Refining the portrait with more detailed facial features

Step 5: Define the eyes

Carefully refine the eyebrows and eyes using darker, cleaner lines. Remember that the eyes are spherical forms with eyelids that have visible thickness. Also indicate the folds surrounding the eyes, which reflect the underlying eye sockets. Learn more in our tutorial on drawing eyes in a three-quarter view.

Refining the portrait’s eyes, eyebrows, and surrounding details

Step 6: Detail the nose

Draw the pupils, leaving small highlights inside them. Then refine the nose with additional detail. Keep in mind the principles of tonal hierarchy: because the nose is closest to the viewer, it should have the strongest contrast. For more information, see our tutorial on drawing a nose from the three-quarter view.

Drawing the portrait’s nose and refining the pupils

Step 7: Refine the lips

Carefully refine the lips and chin. Make the parts of the lips that are closer to the viewer slightly darker than those farther away. You can learn more in our tutorial on drawing lips in the three-quarter view. To spot mistakes, look at your portrait in a mirror.

Refining the portrait’s lips and chin with clean outlines

Step 8: Sketch the hair and ear

Sketch the overall shape of the hair instead of drawing each strand individually. Then carefully refine the ear. Following the principles of tonal hierarchy, keep the ear lighter and less detailed than the facial features because it is farther from the viewer. Learn more in our tutorial on drawing an ear.

Sketching the portrait’s hair and refining the ear

Step 9: Clean up the portrait

Erase all remaining construction lines. Strengthen the outlines that are closer to the viewer and keep the more distant contours lighter to enhance the sense of depth. Carefully compare your portrait with the previous steps and correct any remaining inaccuracies.

Cleaning up the portrait and refining the final outlines

Step 10: Add realistic shading

Complete the portrait by adding shadows. Begin with the darkest areas and gradually build the lighter tones. Apply the hatching so that the strokes follow the forms of the face. To learn more about shading techniques, read our article on light and shadow.

Finished portrait drawing with realistic shading and refined facial features

In this tutorial, we gathered the most important principles you need to learn how to draw a portrait.

To develop this skill further, practice by drawing another portrait using the techniques from this tutorial. You can draw yourself or work from the faces of friends and family members.

Continue improving by drawing portraits from different angles, experimenting with more complex lighting, and adding additional facial details.

You can also practice drawing a wider range of facial expressions, such as happiness, anger, surprise, or sadness.

Regular practice will help you remember the entire drawing process and better understand how to convey the three-dimensional form of the human head.