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Creating a Grid:
-a basic grid can help with the layout of each facial feature
-Start with a straight-on perspective (you can adapt the grid for other views later on)
-Draw an egg-shape using a large circle as base for the top of the head
-Measure and draw a horizontal and vertical line exactly halfway through the oval
-Divide the lower half of the oval into five vertical and horizontal sections

Tips for Facial Proportions:
-The face is five eye-widths wide
-Draw the eyes on the centre horizontal line leaving space for one eye-width between
-Draw the nose along the centre vertical line with the base two-fifths down
-Draw the mouth line on the mark two-fifths up from chin
-The base width of the nose is roughly the width of one eye
-The corners of the mouth align with the pupils
-The base of the ears aligns with the bottom of the nose

Eyes:
-Eyes are rounded and the shape of the eyelids reflect this
-The iris is round but usually covered and shaded, in part, by the eyelid
-Avoid drawing every eyelash and focus on large grouped strokes

Nose:
-Noses are complex shapes so focus on shadow and light
-There is often a highlight on the ball and bridge of the nose
-Shadow often shows below the nose and where the bridge of the nose meets the brow

Mouth:
-Try to avoid outlining lips and instead create shape with shadow
-There are often deep shadows where lips meet and a shadow below the lower lip
-Even with a full smile you rarely see the full top and bottom set of teeth

Final Steps:
-Add eyebrows
-Add hair partially covering the brow
-Make sure to include and shade the neck
-Add shading and highlights to create more of the planes and depth of face
-Practice often!

This Art Nook at Home has been brought to you by Leah Louden, Rental & Sales Associate at AGSA