1. Start with drawing a head shape.

Please note: head is not a ball – it’s more like an egg.

Use #2 pencil or harder (H or HB). Hard pencils are better for light value and detailed shading

2. Draw a line through the middle of the face.

If the head is tilted – this axis should reflect it.

3. Find the center point and draw a horizontal line through it.

This is your “eye line”. Eyes’ corners will be placed on it.

4. Face is defined by a hairline at the top and a chin at the bottom.

Divide face into three equal parts.

5. Place eyes onto the “eye line”. The space between the eyes equals the size of an eye. Think this: “you could fit another eye in between your eyes”.

You can also fit an entire nose into this space. The inner corners of your eyes are aligned with the outer corners of the nose.

6. A nose has 3 sides: front, left, and right.

They take equal space.

Divide the nose area into 3 parts.

7. Placing a mouth line is easy.

Divide the bottom third of the face into three equal parts. The mouth line will go through the upper third mark.

The lower third – is your chin.

8. To position the mouth corners – draw straight lines from the middle of the “eyebrow” line through the corners of the nose.

Mark the mouth corners where these lines cross the mouth line.

9. The ears fit precisely within the middle third of the face.

10. There are few areas in a face that are typically darker as they get less light:

1 & 2 – under the brows, especially in the corners

3 – under the nose

4 - Upper lip

5 – under the bottom lip

6 – under the chin

The rest of the values vary based on the light source.

11. Start working on details now. Use your pencil as a measuring tool for correct proportions.

Draw facial features carefully - pay attention to the forms and shadings.

12. Use a variety of values. Note where the lightest areas are (highlights) - and leave then white. Note where the darkest shadows are.

The rest of the values - is a range of greys.