Sketching Face And Head From Observation

In this session we will learn how to use lines to draw a person’s head. As with sketching any other three-dimensional object from observation, this means to draw a simplified shape for the head and face, then subdivide these, whilst continuously correcting where we have not adequately picked up the proportions.

We all want to draw correct proportions !  But, this takes time and practice!  And, with sketching a person’s face, we are often extremely critical with our drawing efforts because achieving likeness seems an ultimate goal…. It is very rewarding to draw the human face because it not only produces the picture of a person, but also teaches us sketching as a transferable skill.  There is more to be discovered when sketching a head than aiming to achieve high levels of likeness – we learn how the human head in very general terms is proportioned, how we can simplify and reduce it to geometric forms and add some shading by hatching. Sabine will suggest and demonstrate the three-step method of “simplify-subdivide-correct” as our technique. 

Learning to sketch the head and face is a superb method to get into sketching!  Make your start with it! We will work with a portraiture model.

If you would like to volunteer as a model (you cannot draw and model in the same session, ……,) or know somebody who would like to volunteer as a portraiture model, please get in touch with Sabine sabine@sabinekussmaul.com

Learners need to bring:

A4 paper or larger for drawing – normal photocopying paper is fine

Hard backing bord (does not have to be a ‘proper’ drawing board’) for putting your drawing paper on

Sabine will offer learners to buy A2 size cartridge paper, 25 p per sheet, that can be cut or torn to size and is a good quality

Pencils (HB and 4B)

Pencil sharpener

Rubber

We have trestles and large drawing boards in the Guild that some learners might want to use.