PORTRAITS: Features and the Whole Face

Jim Paschal

 Friday morning began with a series of drawings addressing the individual features of the face. Jim's drawing above has skillfully identified light patterns around the eye. Notice how the eyeball is present behind the lower eyelid. The eyelid arches across the eyeball. In addition, he has clearly illustrated the top portion of the eyelid and the recessed edges of the eyeball.

Linda Fleming

 Linda's drawing of a mouth has illustrated the dark and light patterns beginning with the upper lip (dark), lower lip (light), shadow under lower lip (dark), etc. In addition she has captured the highlight over the upper lip and the dimples in the corners of the mouth.

Devon Ste. Marie-Rubin

 Devon's drawing of a nose illustrates the top, side and bottom planes. Notice how the ball of the nose is shaded similarly to the way values are applied to a sphere. Furthermore, this is a great study for the mouth as well. The curvature and projection of the mouth is particularly well rendered.

Apollonio Fontanilla

 In the afternoon, the class made full portrait studies of each other. Apo's drawing of Linda is very muted in tone yet is expressively powerful. This drawing is surprisingly textural.

Devon Ste. Marie-Rubin

Devon has drawn a very striking image of Lyric with a strong gaze and exaggerated volumes. The features and structure of the head are bold and strong. The mark-making is rich and varied with smeared, textured and reductive applications.

PORTRAIT DRAWING: The Features

Joy Montague

Elijah Schwarz

Andrameda Martinez

Last night the class began Portrait studies. Before drawing the whole face the class made a series of studies addressing the individual features. When drawing eyes it is important to remember that you are drawing a spherical form. The eyelids should have a top and frontal plane. In addition, they should arc across the eyeball. Shadows should be placed in the corners of the eye as well as below the upper eyelid.
Noses should also exhibit top, side and possibly bottom planes. The ball of the nose should overlap the nostrils and should not only be shaded on the lower half but should project a cast shadow as well.
And lastly, the mouth should be drawn with a subtle arc across the dental sphere. The upper lip is generally darker than the lower lip. In addition, the mouth will have more volume if the lower lip is rendered with tone and limited line rather than totally outlining the shape.