Drawing faces, especially from the side, is a fascinating art form that appeals to both beginners and experienced artists. Side profiles offer a unique perspective on the human anatomy and allow the artist to focus on the silhouette, contours, and subtle shading. In this blog post, I provide 100 free templates and a detailed guide to help you master drawing women's profiles.
Basics of the side profile
Before you begin, it's important to understand the basic structures of a face. A side profile consists of several key components:
- The forehead : Tilts backwards.
- The nose: stands out with its characteristic shape.
- The lips: Follow the line that starts from the nose.
- The chin: Can vary, but it should have a clean line back to the base of the neck.
- The ears: Are in line with the nose and eyes.
Materials you need
To draw you need some basic materials:
- Drawing paper or a sketchbook
- Pencils of different hardness
- Eraser
- Sharpener
- Optional: shading pencils or charcoal
Step-by-step instructions
- Sketch the basic shape: Start with the general shape of the head, which is more egg-shaped. Mark the center line of the face to make it easier to orient yourself.
- Draw key features: Place the eyes, nose and mouth along the center line. Make sure the proportions are correct.
- Add details: Add finer details such as eyelids, nostrils, and lip lines.
- Shading: Work on the shading to create depth. Pay particular attention to the shadows under the nose, over the lip and on the neck.
- Fine-tune: Check the proportions and details, adjust them if necessary and erase unnecessary lines.
Additional tips
- Practice with different light sources to see how shadows change.
- Use the templates to explore different hairstyles and face shapes.
- Keep your drawing style flexible and experiment with different techniques.
Drawing a person from the side: Conclusion
Drawing side profiles is an excellent way to improve your portrait skills. With practice and patience, you will soon be able to create expressive and realistic portraits. Use the templates provided as a springboard for your creative projects.