Tips On Pencil Portrait Sketching - The Side Pose Article

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Tips on Pencil Portrait Sketching - The Side Pose

In this expose we discuss the side view of the head. We point out all the challenges that are peculiar to this view. We stress the fact that it is best to delay drawing the actual features of the face as long as possible.

Author: Robert Thomson

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A strange thing about drawing the profile view is that novices find it much simpler than the other views. Yet, the advanced draftsperson can find the profile quite taxing.

For the advanced draftsperson the test lies in the struggle to affect a three-dimensional sculptured feel.

Looking at the construct in the profile view note how the skull is broken down into straight lines. Using these architectonic lines communicates a firmness of form.

At first, you should keep the forms plain. Also at this point, do not place all the profiled features. There are two reasons for this:

1. It is very likely that even the most skilfull draftsperson will be off, and

2. Once a line is established the logical center of your brain will consider that association as proper one. Therefore, it will look proper to you but everyone else will see the error.

There is a better way. You start with striking the construct using architectonically straight lines. The chief concerns are putting in place the general proportions and form properly. At a more advanced level you should also consider rhythm and movement.

Instead of immediately including the nose into the construct you should utilize the facial angle, i.e., the line from the forehead to the chin that breaks at the base of the nose. The signpost reference for the base of the nose is the tiny ledge-like protuberance.

A plumb-bob is an superb tool for accurately placing the base of the nose. A plumb-bob is a length of thread (preferably black carpet thread) that has a weight attached to it. The plumb-bob is employed to check vertical alignments (when working with life models) and their relations to that vertical line. The vertical line is called the plumb-line.

Aligning the plumb-line to the chin allows you more rightly to see the relation of brow to chin. The brow is set back from the chin. By the way, the entire region of chin and mouth is called the "muzzle".

Having confirmed that the initial construct and facial angle are accurate you can now continue with establishing the facial proportions, chief anatomical signposts, and the hair-line. So, at this point do not even think about drawing the entire nose. Drawing the nose at this point is a sure remedy for disaster. The angle of the nose and the construction of the tip require a high degree of precision.

Instead, begin to lay down the general light/dark pattern.
The lights are painted out using a kneaded eraser. The effect we are seeking is that of a ghost image. That means, above all, not to add minutia. In addition, work from the general to the specific.

Once the general light/dark pattern is drawn then the profiled features can be done. utilizing a very sharp pencil you can sketch upwards from the chin to the forehead carefully observing the form. As you sketch mutter the anatomical terms of each feature that you sketch. You would be amazed at how that clarifyies the sketching process. Having an understanding of the facial anatomy will set your portrait sketching miles ahead of those who do not.

The end of the nose, particularly, requires anatomical reconstruction to get it correct.

A common error novices make with the profile view is placing the eye too far forward. The eye sockets are recessed quite significantly into the skull. If you drop a plumb-line from the inner corner of the eye you will see that the eye aligns itself with the node of the mouth.

Further rendering and hatching tones are accomplished with 2H and 4H pencils. Choosing how far you want to take your sketch is an visual choice you have to make yourself. If you want, you can leave the portrait somewhat unrefined.

In closing, sketching the profile view involves the same general principles relevant to any view. In this situation, the construct is particularly major. The major thing to recall is not to place the actual entire features of the skull too early in the process.

About Author

Download my brand new No Cost Pencil Portrait Drawing Tutorial here: Pencil Portrait Drawing Tutorial. Remi Engels is a practicing pencil portrait draftsman and oil painter and expert drawing instructor. See his work at Pencil Portraits by Remi: http://www.remipencilportraits.com Visit Tips on Pencil Portrait Drawing - The Side View.

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Tips on Pencil Portrait Sketching - The Side Pose