Face Shape and Guide Lines

• Guide Lines
  
  Start a drawing of a face by drawing the oval shape of the face. After the face is drawn, draw faint lines horizontally and vertically through the center of the oval. The horizontal line will mark the placement of the eyes, and the vertical line will run through the center of the nose.
  
  Now mark the hair line at the top of the oval by drawing a horizontal line approximately one inch from the top edge of the oval. From this hair-line guide line, divide the rest of the face vertically into thirds with faint lines. The bottom line will be even with the bottom of the nose. The middle line will mark the placement of the eyebrows. The top line is the hair line.
  
  Divide the bottom third of the face into thirds, with horizontal guide lines for the placement of the mouth and chin. The bottom line marks the chin. The middle line marks the point where the top and bottom lips meet. The top line marks the bottom of the nose.
  
  

Draw the Facial Features

• Sketch basic outlines of the facial features first and then go back and fill in the details. Begin by drawing the eyes on the eye line on either side of the center vertical line. Draw the basic almond shapes and then add the eye lids and eyeballs. The upper part of the eyeballs should be slightly hidden under the eye lids. Add the outlines of the eyebrows above the eyes on the eyebrow line.
  
  Outline the nose along the center vertical line, making sure the bottom of the nose stops at the designated line.
  
  Place the mouth under the nose, making sure it is positioned along the proper guide lines and centered on either side of the vertical center line. Make a small horizontal line under the mouth to designate the chin. Draw the ears between the eye line and the bottom of the nose line. Erase the guide lines.
  
  

Add the Details

• Fill in the details of the facial features. Add eyelashes, details to the eyelids and fill in the eyebrows. Add strokes to finish drawing the nostrils and the rest of the nose. Add the details of the lips and the chin. After the line details have been added, experiment with shading around the eyes, nose and mouth to add a realistic appearance.
  
  Add the hair in a simple hair style using careful pencil strokes.