Topic One (1.1): Drawing portraits and adding detail
Objective
In this topic, you will learn about proportion. You will also learn:
- How to structure a face
- The different techniques used in drawing portraits
- How to improve your skills by adding shading and tone to a portrait
Equipment Required
- A range of pencils: HB, 2B and 4B
- A small A5 sketchpad
- A larger A3 sketchpad
- Artist’s fixative or hairspray
Topic 1.1a - Drawing Portraits: Structure of the face
Watch the video and practise the techniques of portraiture.
This video demonstrates several different methods of measuring facial proportion.
Topic 1.1b - Adding shading and tone to portrait details
Watch the video carefully and practise the techniques that are demonstrated.
Remember to try to exaggerate your pencil tones.
Reflecting
Let’s review your learning. How confident are you now with the following?
- Understanding facial proportions
- Using a range of tone and shading in your drawings
Consolidating your learning
- Go back through your sketchpad.
- Have you filled up all the spaces in your pages?
- Could you add some more drawings to the pages?
- Have you photographed and recorded your work?
- You can also add comments or thoughts in your sketchpad.
- Take time to make your sketchpad look great, but remember to show your mistakes as well.
- If you have worked on paper, stick them into your sketchpad.