5 Essential Pencil Portrait Drawing Tips for Beginner Artists
Have you ever thought about sketching and drawing but felt confused about how to draw? If yes, then you’re not alone. Drawing is something all of us try when we are kids, but we eventually give it up as we grow. Even when we think of starting it again, we get nervous as no drawing tutorials seem to help you in learning portrait drawing.
So, where should we start? The answer is this blog. We have listed down 5 tips which will help you as a beginner artist to learn to draw and master the art of sketching.
1. Know your tool.
Although art supplies can be overwhelming as they come in a vast range, it is better to start your pencil portrait with the basic, limited and inexpensive supplies. However, it is also necessary to know about each tool and explore different supplies or techniques whenever you can so that you can pick your favourite and work with it in future.
2. Work Generally to Specific.
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3. Start your Portrait with a Light Sketch.
When you begin sketching, start with a lighter outline to draw the major features first, and create a foundation for your self-portrait. Then you can move to the next level of adding up some textures, shades, and details. Always keep an eraser handy to quickly erase your mistakes and avoid affecting other elements of your drawing.
4. Add Shadows & Lighter Strokes.
Your sketch is incomplete until you have added shadows to it. Again, do it lightly and avoid emphasizing it. To make it look more authentic, use small and light pencil strokes or rounding strokes. These strokes will mix with darker pencil strokes, graphite or charcoal, and give a shadowy effect.
It is recommended that you use lighting from the above when you’re making a self-portrait in front of the mirror.
5. Do the Hairline of your Pencil Portrait Next.
Start drawing your forehead next and figure out a proportionate length. Now start pulling your hair from the scalp to the tip, and make sure you outline this thick. Later, you can add shadows and highlights and fill up the internals with thinner strokes.
6. Time for Final Detailing of your Pencil Portrait.
After you have completed drawing the primary outlines or foundation of your pencil portrait, it is time to add the final details to your face sketch. You can now take your time and observe the shadows under your nose and eyes, tight lips, and neck to make it look more realistic.
Note: If you want, you can also use watercolours or coloured pencils to fill your portrait with finer details.
Here’s a Small Video of a Drawing of Aishwariya Rai Bachchan.
7. Get your Pencil Portrait Framed!
Keep your pencil portrait safe and framed, even for future reference. Choose a reasonable frame that goes with your texture and your details. Generally, a black frame does the magic.
Self-portraits are a traditional way of practising realistic pencil drawings. Never stop practising! You can always choose to draw other subjects, be it your friends or strangers, in a park.
Originally published May 2, 2019
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