HOW TO MAKE REALISTIC

LINE DRAWINGS OF ANY FACE

Use This PROVEN TECHNIQUE That Has

Helped Beginning and Experienced Artists

Create an Accurate, Proportional Line

Drawing of ANY Face, EVERY Time!

By Jack Pearce

HOW TO MAKE REALISTIC

LINE DRAWINGS OF ANY FACE

By Jack Pearce

Copyright © 2017 by Let’s Draw People

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or

transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,

including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and

retrieval system.

Published by: Let’s Draw People

3053 West Craig Road Suite E # 202

North Las Vegas, NV 89032

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Back to the Basics with Line Drawings

Whether your goal is to make a familiar sketch of a face or to draw a very realistic portrait, we likely need to get back to

the basics to achieve more satisfying results. It all begins with the initial line drawing!

What is a line drawing? A line drawing is a drawing done primarily in lines, with little to no shading. A line drawing can

consist of only a very basic outline of the subject, or it can have an incredible level of detail and even indicate the

placement of shadows and highlights.

A line drawing of a face is the first step for drawing a realistic pencil portrait. If you are trying to draw a detailed, realistic

portrait, then it is absolutely crucial that you start with an accurate, realistic line drawing of the face. If your line drawing

is faulty, the rest of the drawing can fall apart.

Or, you may want to just draw a simpler face with lines, having correct proportions and facial features, without too

much shading or effects of realism. A line drawing such as this can also be a pleasing, stand-alone final piece of artwork.

So, HOW DO we create these more accurate, realistic line drawings of faces?

Well, there are several approaches that artists use, but I want to share just one of those approaches with you. Whether

you are a beginner or have a little more experience, this ONE method can DRASTICALLY IMPROVE your abilities more

quickly and more effectively than all others! I was drawing regularly for 15 years before I first discovered this method,

and using it IMMEDIATELY took my portrait drawing abilities to a whole new level!

This method is none other than…..the grid method!

What Is the Grid Method?

The grid method is nothing new, but it is incredibly easy. In fact, it is SO easy and works SO well that you may feel like

you are “cheating” on your line drawing. I assure you, though, that this tried-and-true method is not cheating at art.

It is something that has been around since ancient Egyptian times. Even masters such as Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van

Gogh, and Albrecht Durer of the Renaissance (just to name a few) employed this common-sense technique!

The grid method will allow you to focus on drawing one small portion of your overall subject at a time. This is

accomplished by placing a grid of equal-sized squares over a reference photograph while also placing an equal amount

of grid squares onto your drawing paper.

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B C D E F G H I J K L

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The Grid Method allows you to focus your attention and sharpen your observational skills by drawing what

you see one box at a time. You can also scale your drawings to be larger or smaller than the reference photo

by changing the size of the grid squares on your drawing paper.

Drawing a face with a grid also means you get facial proportions correct without guessing or using traditional guidelines

sketched on an oval.

Whether your reference photo is an original that you can physically hold or an image file on your computer, be sure it is

a CLEAR image and LARGE enough for you to add the level of detail to your drawing that you desire.

12” x 16” drawing (1” grid squares) 6” x 8” photo (1/2” grid squares)

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Putting a Grid on a Photo For an original photo, you can copy a grid onto a transparent overlay. Use one of the grids at the end of this guide, or

customize your own grid with the Table feature in Microsoft Word.

Microsoft Word:

Make sure you select

“Exactly” for the Row Height.

Specify the same desired

height and preferred width in

inches for the Row and

Column tabs.

Grid on a transparent overlay

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A better option is to work from an image on your computer that has a grid put on it by you. This lets you work from the

screen or even print the image out with grid lines in place! You can put a grid on your photographs in either Microsoft

Word or Adobe Photoshop Elements.

Affiliate Disclaimer: The following clickable links will take you to webpages that describe affiliate products. This simply

means if you choose to purchase any of the following products through the links on the webpages, then I will receive a

small commission (at no extra cost to you).

Microsoft Word:

After inserting your

table, insert a photo

and set Wrap Text

to Behind Text.

Adobe Photoshop

Elements:

You can adjust the

grid settings if you

go to Edit >

Preferences.

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Putting a Grid on Your Drawing Paper One way to do this is to lightly draw grid lines on your drawing paper with a ruler. Use very light, fine lines and a graphite

pencil no darker than a 2B (with super light pressure). A mechanical pencil with graphite lead works better for making

fine lines. Instead of a regular ruler, you may have better luck getting perpendicular grid lines by using a T-square ruler

or a C-Thru (Westcott) plastic ruler.

One disadvantage to this traditional way of making a grid is the fact that you will have to carefully erase all of the grid

lines when your line drawing is complete. You can use a good ol’ fashion pink eraser for large areas. Investing in a

kneaded eraser for tight spaces and a horse hair dusting brush for removing eraser debris will make life a whole lot

easier for this task.

A faster and more effective way of making a grid for your drawing paper is to use a light box and a grid printed on white

paper. Again, feel free to use the grids provided in this guide. Simply tape a grid to the light box, and tape your drawing

paper over the grid. Turn the light box on and Voila! ... you have a grid on your drawing paper that you do not have to

erase after you complete your line drawing!

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The Grid Method in Action!

Now that you are more familiar with the concept of the grid method, it is time to put it into action. Applying the grid

method will allow you to draw ANY face you want, with as much detail or as little detail as you want. The more detail

you add to your line drawing, the more realistic it will start to become.

The following sections will show you how you can use a grid to draw any facial feature! Since the goal of this guide is to

make realistic line drawings of any face, I will make use of lots of extra details while teaching some basic fundamentals.

To keep these nothing more than line drawings, I will use a minimal amount of shading.

Be sure to use the reference photos provided in each section and practice drawing the features on your own paper!

Follow the steps and focus on one grid square at a time, drawing the necessary lines from that square before moving on

to the next one.

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Drawing the Eyes

Eyes that look directly ahead are typically almond-shaped and one eye-length apart. Use your grid lines to place the

shapes properly. Include lines at the inner corners for the little pink nodules (called “lacrimal caruncles”) in the tear duct

areas. Draw a very thin line to represent the rim of each eyelid going all around the white part. Then sketch lines above

and below each eye for the rest of the eyelids.

Length of one eye

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Very lightly, sketch in circles for the proper placement of the iris, pupil, and highlight(s) in each eye. The highlight usually

overlaps both the iris and pupil. It is often circular, but can take on other shapes as well. For the most accurate circles,

trace over your sketched irises and pupils with a circle template. Notice also the lines on the iris that radiate from the

pupil. You can then color in the pupil dark black and shade the iris a tone that closely matches the subject’s eye color.

A circle template like this one

will allow you to draw perfect

circles of any size. It also has

guidelines that help you properly

center the pupil in the iris.

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Draw lines that indicate the inner eye sockets, curving downward to form the bridge of the nose. Sketch a light outline

for the eyebrows. Pay attention to the direction of hair growth when drawing in lines for the hairs of the eyebrows. Do

the same with eyelashes. Try to match the length and shape of eyelash strands that you see in the reference photo.

It could be helpful for you to erase gridlines on your paper where you plan on drawing a lot of

little strands of hair. It will be much harder to erase the gridlines AFTER you draw the hair!

Begin your eyelashes from the eyelid rim.

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Drawing the Nose

Study the bridge of your subject’s nose. Lightly draw the lines that suggest your subject’s bridge. Include any

characteristic traits you notice, such as the shape of the bridge and how it connects with the space at the bottom of the

forehead and between the eyes. Also include any wrinkles or other identifiable marks that branch out from the bridge

and around the eyes.

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Next, look at the ball of the nose. It is called a “ball” because there is a ball of cartilage under the skin at the tip.

Visualizing this ball and drawing subtle lines to indicate it will help your nose look more realistic. Then draw the shape of

the wings of the nose around the nostrils. These wings are also made of cartilage. Draw any apparent skin creases (like

those noticeable during a smile) that branch out from the lower nose area.

Notice how the outer

edges of the lower nose

line up roughly with the

inner corners of the eyes.

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Lastly, let the shape of the cartilage and skin of the nose form the shape of the nostrils. Don’t just draw two black ovals

on top of the skin and call them nostrils. Examine the shape of everything. For example, notice how the cartilage

between the nostrils and on the outer sides has a “wrap-around” shape.

Focus on drawing the cartilage and

skin AROUND the nostrils rather

than the nostrils themselves. This

will give your nose drawings a

more natural appearance than

what you would have from the

cartoonish look left by black circles

on top of a nose shape.

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Drawing the Mouth Begin by drawing the top lip. Don’t forget to draw the dip on the top part of the top lip, just beneath the nose.

Sometimes there is a slightly visible highlighted “trim” around the upper and/or lower lip, as seen in this example.

Including this will add a little more dimension to your drawing.

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Draw the bottom lip, giving it the same level of natural appearance as you did for the top. Draw any vertical or

horizontal lines that line the top and bottom lip. There is often a noticeable one in the center of the bottom lip. A

highlight is almost always evident on the bottom lip, too. Don’t forget to draw facial muscles around the chin and

corners of the mouth that help convey the subject’s expression. Draw dimples as well if they are present.

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If you are drawing someone with an open mouth, you will need to draw teeth. Follow these four tips for a closer

representation of your subject. Pay careful attention to detail to draw each tooth as you see it in the reference

photograph (flat vs. pointy, etc.). Use your grid lines and other facial features for proper placement of each tooth. Draw

only the number of teeth visible. Note the distance between the gum line and the lip.

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Drawing the Ears When I draw ears, I tend to start with the outline and work my way inward. Begin by drawing the outer shape of the ear.

Include the earlobe and how it connects with the side of the head. This will be one of two ways. A “free” earlobe will

hang loosely and loop back upward before connecting. An “attached” earlobe will connect before looping back up.

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Draw the line that forms the outer rim (or helix) around the ear. Also draw some of the cartilage around the ear canal

now. This consists of a bump of cartilage on the side of the face and another bump across from it, with a little dip

between the two. Your grid lines will help you to space your shapes and lines properly.

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Carefully study your reference photo and use your grid lines to draw the curves and folds that make up the visible inner

workings of the outer ear (the antihelix). Once again, when I first learned to draw ears I found it helpful to begin with the

outer helix and work my way inward. However, you can begin however you like. It’s just a matter of preference. Add in

any piercings, earrings, moles, or other characteristics.

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Drawing the Hair

Since we do not need to be as exact in our drawing of the hair as we have been with other facial features, you will notice

that we do not have as many grid squares here. Begin by drawing an outline to capture the basic shape of your subject’s

hair. If you see a part in the hair, you can place that too.

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Examine the direction of hair growth in the reference photo. Draw lines to represent hair growing in that same direction.

It is helpful to begin drawing lines by placing your pencil in the same places hair grows from the scalp…a part in the hair,

the hairline, and so on. Draw your lines so they flow along the contours of the head and rest of the hair. Doing so will

make the hair look more natural.

Notice how the pencil lines replicate the

appearance of hair growing out of the scalp.

Let your pencil lines follow the directional

growth of the subject’s hair.

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Depending on the level of detail you are striving to achieve, you can build up the hair by working in layers. Take a step

back and look where one section of hair overlaps another. Draw over previously-drawn hair if needed. In addition, look

for strands of hair that separate themselves from the overall mass. These strands are commonly visible along the

outside edges, on clothing, and hanging over the forehead or face.

Loose strands

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Drawing the Face

Now is the time to take what we have learned about drawing the facial features and apply them to drawing a face.

Generally, my preference is to draw the features in the center of the face first and work my way outward. Begin by

properly placing and drawing the eyes and nose.

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Next draw the mouth, ears, and surrounding face. Generally you will notice that the corners of the mouth fall directly

below the center of the eyes. This is a good time to draw any left out wrinkles or other traits that sit around the eyes,

nose, mouth, chin, cheekbones, or forehead.

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Add the neck and shoulders, as well as the hair. Draw in any layers of hair that overlap the shoulders or face. Add in

additional details until you get the level of realism you want. Then you will have a completed line drawing of a face!

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When You Are Ready for Your Line Drawing to Be More Than Lines

As you have seen, the act of drawing the face with nothing but lines is an excellent way for you to sharpen your skills

when it comes to drawing and placing different facial features.

After you practice drawing faces with only lines, you may be ready to add more dimension to your drawings. If so, there

are several techniques artists use to add shading to their drawings.

If you know from the onset of a drawing that your goal is to make a very realistic portrait with lots of shading, it might be

a good idea to omit certain steps from your line drawing.

For example, when I create realistic tone pencil portraits that involve a lot of blending, I save hairs of the eyebrows and

eyelashes as some of the final steps of the entire drawing. It is much easier to get skin tones and details of the eyelids

finalized before drawing in the little hairs that overlap these areas. This also applies to facial hair and sometimes the hair

on the head.

For more in-depth information on how to turn your line drawings into lifelike, realistic pencil portraits with shading as in

the example above, I invite you to view some of the full-length video tutorials and courses I am developing at:

http://www.letsdrawpeople.com/club/

The above is a link to more information about Let’s Draw People Club, a special membership area of my website. You

will find videos that explain the material I’ve shared in this ebook in much greater depth. Plus, you will see multiple

examples of my techniques to draw and shade realistic pencil portraits from photographs with incredible results!

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The Bottom Line

Every face is different and unique from others in its own special way. With that said, faces and facial features have

common characteristics (as discussed in this guide) that are easily applied to any face, no matter who or what your

subject is. If you can strike this balance between drawing common characteristics and unique physical traits, while using

a grid to ensure proper placement and proportions, you can make a realistic line drawing of ANY face!

As you saw, I laid out a step-by-step method of drawing each facial feature so you can get familiar with key details you

should include to get more realistic line drawings. However, there is another common-sense method of drawing with a

grid that you can use. You may choose to just focus on one grid square at a time, drawing everything in that grid square,

before moving to the next grid square and repeating.

If the process of grid drawing is new to you, give it a chance. I promise you will see immediate results for the better! If

you use grids to draw but still have some difficulties, keep in mind that good grid drawing depends on three things:

1. using an accurate grid with perpendicular grid lines and squares of equal size

2. drawing accurate lines within each grid square

3. using more grid squares when necessary (for those hard-to-draw features)

The number of grid squares to use for a drawing is up to you. If you are having difficulty drawing a particular part of the

face, simply divide that area into more grid squares. With more practice and experience, you will be able to rely on

fewer grid squares (or none at all) if you choose!

Hopefully you have read options in this guide that will allow you to make more accurate grids and, hence, more realistic

line drawings of faces. Remember to practice, practice, and practice some more to get better at any parts of your line

drawings that leave you unsatisfied. You will soon see that you can draw whoever you want!

Please remember to utilize the grids provided on the following pages as needed.

Happy drawing!

Jack Pearce

LetsDrawPeople.com

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One-Inch Grid Squares

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Half-Inch Grid Squares

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Quarter-Inch Grid Squares