Portrait Drawing The Smart Way: The Planes of the Face

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This course features:
5 Hours of Instruction
19 Videos
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Lesson Description

A look at drawing the planes of the face and the head. The planes of the face and head are used to determine locations of highlight and shadow.

Lesson Materials

"HB" graphite pencil, white charcoal pencil, toned gray drawing paper, blending stump, kneaded eraser.

Lesson Resources

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Course Curriculum

Lesson 1: Introduction and Materials (4:35)Lesson 2: The Skull - Frontal View (20:31)Lesson 3: The Skull - Profile View (13:40)Lesson 4: Basic Facial Proportions (14:31)Lesson 5: The Planes of the Face (30:08)Lesson 6: The Eye - Frontal View (31:45)Lesson 7: The Eye - Profile View (20:35)Lesson 8: The Nose - Frontal View (15:00)Lesson 9: The Nose - Profile View (13:12)Lesson 10: The Mouth and Teeth (19:56)Lesson 11: The Ear (15:12)Lesson 12: Hair (14:50)Lesson 13: Grid Drawing - Part 1 (10:39)Lesson 14: Grid Drawing - Part 2 (15:56)Lesson 15: Grid Drawing - Part 3 (14:34)Lesson 16: Triangular Grid - Part 1 (8:38)Lesson 17: Triangular Grid - Part 2 (15:36)Lesson 18: Triangular Grid - Part 3 (13:19)Lesson 19: Conclusion (3:42)

Lesson Discussion

  2. I tried to print a copy of the full front portrait to practice but it came out all distorted ! You said at one stage there was the picture to copy off on the screen .How do I get this ? Maggie .

  3. Thank You, Matt.
    This is such a useful video.
    I know there are some instructors who tell you to draw one of those ‘Asaro heads’ from multiple different angles to ‘learn’ the planes of the face, which always struck me as kind of silly, given that no head I’ll ever want to draw will look exactly like the Asaro. (Also pretty boring, frankly.) Your approach, based on specific observation, and accepting that two people drawing the same head may define the planes differently, is, in my opinion, way way more useful. Quite the ‘light bulb moment’ for me, this one. Thanks again.

    • Hi Pat, The videos appear to be playing normally. Can you describe the issue that you’re having? Are you seeing an error message? Are connected to a network?

  6. I am 81 years old and I am excited browsing in some of the classes offered , now I am empress how nice a presentation you have. I guest there is no aged limit or boundaries in learning in life. Now I have to pick one that I might like to start. I never draw before maybe a line or contour so this will be a challenge for me. But with instructor behind me , I have confidence in myself that I can do it. Thank you

  7. Hi Matt,
    I am enjoying the portrait course very much. In the video you mention the reference photo below but then under resources there is not a photo. Then in the comments you say this is drawn from imagination.. but you start with a photo.. so I am a little confused. I am sure I can find two photos to look at so I can determine the planes of a face and follow your instructions!

    Thank you for this course.. and all your courses.

    • Hi Pat,

      You’re right! You’re also the first to pick up on this. I’ll see if I can post this image for those of you that may want to trace the planes.

  11. Matt,

    I am going through this course now and cannot find the reference photo to trace over. I would like to do that if it is possible to find the photo reference or even a different photo you would recommend.

    Thank you,

    Teri

  12. hi matt im 87y/old and i confidence that i can do this im almost blind but that be overcome with belief and following your help and instruction i do like your tuition it put that you can follow thanks for all your hard work im situated in wales uk melvin

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