Introductory Techniques to Portrait Drawing

What to expect from this lesson

If you’ve always wanted to learn how to draw, and capture the likeness of a face, this lesson is
for you. You don’t need any experience to begin, but you’ll certainly have some experience when
you’re finished the lesson.
This lesson has 3 videos, notes to print, lots of practical drawing activities, group critique
assessment, and some questions for you to fill in.

Video 1: Introduction to Portraits
How to start a portrait drawing from a photographic reference.

Video 2: Proportion in Portraits
Construction drawing of the face to understand the frontal planes and side planes.

Video 3: Techniques in Tone
Tone and Shading, using three different materials.
This lesson includes marking sheets for technical skills associated with elements and performance
criteria of the Training.gov.au unit CUADRA301 – Produce drawings.

Printing the resources accompanying this lesson

Click here to download these print resources in PDF format. You can
choose to view them on your screen, or save and print them out.

Materials used in this lesson

Willow charcoal, compressed charcoal stick, HB pencil, water soluble ink, kneadable eraser, dry
brush.

Equipment used in this lesson

Paper, drawing board & clips, easel

Subjects used in this lesson

Photograph portrait with strong contrast
Bust/sculpture