JW Learning

Beginner Figure Drawing - Drawing The Head - Positioning

Hi again, I'll address the issues you were having with the eye in the next lesson project.  If you have any further questions about this class feel free to ask away. So, what stands out the most with these sketches is you're focusing too much on the details of the face and not enough of the underlying shape and forms. What I'm going to suggest first is to focus purely on the structures with these difficult positions.  With difficult head positions, it's going to be more important than any other body part to really slow down and analyse things.   We need to think of the head as having layers to it. The first layer is the main mask of the face (the basic egg shape), and the second layer consists of five smaller forms in the brow line, the nose, the mouth, ears, and chin. These smaller forms sit on top of the main face mask and their shape and position will change depending on how the head is tilted.  What you have to pay attention to the most is how these smaller form overlap each other, as well as their positioning relative to the 'camera'.  For instance, if the head is tilting up, it means the chin is going to be the closest form to the 'camera'.  And if the chin is closest, it means it will overlap the mouth as the mouth will be positioned behind it, and the nose will sit behind both of them etc.  Always ask yourself about where these small forms are positioned relative to each other first, because they are inevitable going to overlap each other depending on how the head it tilted, or where the 'camera' is positioned.  Overlapping these smaller forms is the key to good structure for dynamic head sketches.  So remember, think of the head in layers.  Another thing to use is more boxes to help you out. You're using mostly circles for your head foundation (looks like the Loomis method).  Try using regular boxes for these more difficult positions as well. You might be surprised how much using more box shapes will help you with your positioning.  Always remember, the box is going to give you the most information out of all the basic shapes because it has three visible planes, and those planes come in handy for these difficult head sketches.  Let me know if any of this helps or if you have more questions.  Keep it up! :)

<img srcset="https://static.skillshare.com/uploads/project/0470e2b732bcbc7fa0cb840caf0e8cc6/41aa7e87.jpg 600w, https://static.skillshare.com/uploads/project/0470e2b732bcbc7fa0cb840caf0e8cc6/41aa7e87.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 600px, 100vw" src="https://static.skillshare.com/uploads/project/0470e2b732bcbc7fa0cb840caf0e8cc6/41aa7e87.jpg" loading="lazy" alt="Drawing the head - image 1 - student project"><img srcset="https://static.skillshare.com/uploads/project/0470e2b732bcbc7fa0cb840caf0e8cc6/32800e65.jpg 600w, https://static.skillshare.com/uploads/project/0470e2b732bcbc7fa0cb840caf0e8cc6/32800e65.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 600px, 100vw" src="https://static.skillshare.com/uploads/project/0470e2b732bcbc7fa0cb840caf0e8cc6/32800e65.jpg" loading="lazy" alt="Drawing the head - image 2 - student project"><img srcset="https://static.skillshare.com/uploads/project/0470e2b732bcbc7fa0cb840caf0e8cc6/d5b156f6.jpg 600w, https://static.skillshare.com/uploads/project/0470e2b732bcbc7fa0cb840caf0e8cc6/d5b156f6.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 600px, 100vw" src="https://static.skillshare.com/uploads/project/0470e2b732bcbc7fa0cb840caf0e8cc6/d5b156f6.jpg" loading="lazy" alt="Drawing the head - image 3 - student project"><img srcset="https://static.skillshare.com/uploads/project/0470e2b732bcbc7fa0cb840caf0e8cc6/f2ad0018.jpg 600w, https://static.skillshare.com/uploads/project/0470e2b732bcbc7fa0cb840caf0e8cc6/f2ad0018.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 600px, 100vw" src="https://static.skillshare.com/uploads/project/0470e2b732bcbc7fa0cb840caf0e8cc6/f2ad0018.jpg" loading="lazy" alt="Drawing the head - image 4 - student project">
I really liked the class but I have several questions. I hope the teacher can give me support in the area of ​​conversations.

Drawing the head

Company

Work With Us

Teach with Us

Shop

Mobile