Where to Start With a Portrait
Beginners usually do best by starting with the overall head shape and a few guide lines, then placing the features, and only then moving into shading and detail. Working from big to small helps you catch errors while they are still easy to fix. A pencil and sketchbook are enough; if you need a checklist, see the sketching supplies list.
Basic Proportions of the Face
These are guidelines for an average adult face seen from the front. Real people vary, so use them as a starting framework and then correct them by observation.
- The eyes sit roughly halfway down the head, not near the top as many beginners draw them.
- The width of the face is often about five eye-widths, with one eye-width between the eyes.
- The bottom of the nose and the mouth fall in the lower half, with the mouth often about a third of the way from the nose to the chin.
- The tops of the ears roughly align with the brows and the bottoms with the base of the nose. For a fantasy variation on ear shape, see how to draw elf ears.
- Hair adds volume above the skull, so the skull itself is lower than the hairline suggests.
Children and people in different poses or angles follow different proportions, so always check against your reference.
The Basic Rules for Drawing a Portrait
There is no single official rulebook, but most teachers agree on these habits:
- Draw lightly at first.
- Work from general to specific.
- Measure and compare rather than guess.
- Look at the shapes of light and shadow, not just outlines.
- Check the whole drawing often, not just the part you are working on.
Popular Methods for Beginners
The Circle and Oval Method
Draw a circle for the cranium and add a jaw below it, then divide the face with a vertical center line and horizontal feature lines. It is quick and easy to remember.
The Loomis Method
Named after the illustrator Andrew Loomis, this method starts with a sphere with the sides sliced off, then uses center lines and brow, nose and chin lines to describe the head’s angle and tilt. It helps with three-quarter views and tilted heads.
The Grid Method
Draw a grid over your reference and a matching grid on your paper, then copy one square at a time. It improves accuracy and helps you learn to see shapes, though it should not be your only method.
Straight-Line Block-In
Map the outer edges of the head and features with straight lines first, then soften them into curves. It trains you to see angles.
Step-by-Step Portrait Sketch
- Choose a reference. A well-lit photo or a patient model works. Simple lighting from one side makes shapes easier to read. Printing the photo at the size you want to draw makes comparison easier.
- Draw the head shape and center lines. Keep lines light.
- Mark the feature lines. Eyes, nose base and mouth positions.
- Block in features. Use simple shapes for eyes, nose and lips rather than outlining details.
- Measure. Hold up a pencil or use your axis lines to check distances and angles. Correct before shading.
- Map the darkest and lightest areas. Squint at the reference to see them more easily.
- Build tone in layers. Hatching or soft shading, starting light. If you like a softer look, consider charcoal.
- Add hair as shapes first. Treat hair as masses of tone rather than individual strands.
- Refine. Adjust edges, sharpen key contrasts, soften others.
- Check upside down. Turning the drawing or the reference upside down often reveals distortions.
Common Beginner Mistakes
- Placing the eyes too high
- Drawing symbols (an almond eye, a ball nose) rather than observed shapes
- Outlining everything with equally dark lines
- Rushing into detail
- Getting stuck on a single feature and losing the overall likeness
The “4-8-8 Method”
You may see a “4-8-8 method” mentioned for drawing. It is not a widely standardized term, and sources use it differently, so check the definition from wherever you found it. The methods above are more commonly taught and well documented.
Practice Ideas
- Draw only eyes for a week, then noses, then mouths.
- Do quick five-minute head sketches of people on video or in public places.
- Make a self-portrait with a mirror; you are always available.
- Revisit the same face after a month to see progress.
When you are ready to add color, painting skin tones in watercolor shows mixes that look natural. For a broader practice plan, see our beginner’s roadmap to getting better at sketching.
Frequently Asked Questions
When drawing a portrait, where should you start? With the overall head shape and light guide lines, then the feature positions.
What is the Loomis portrait method? A construction method that builds the head from a sphere with flat sides, plus guide lines for tilt and feature placement.
Do I need to draw a likeness right away? No. Proportion and observation come first; likeness improves with practice.