Draw Faces in 15 Minutes: How to Get Started in Portrait Drawing

by Jake Spicer

Overview

Yes, you can draw! And Draw Faces in 15 Minutes will show you how to draw people's faces. By the time you finish this book, you'll have all the skills you need to achieve a striking likeness in a drawn portrait, using a proven method from a professional life-drawing teacher.

Artist and life-drawing expert Jake Spicer takes you through a series of carefully crafted tutorials, from how to put together a basic portrait sketch to developing your portraits and then taking your drawings further. From understanding and constructing the head and shaping the hair, to checking the relationships of the features and achieving a lifelike expression, every aspect of the portrait process is examined, along with advice on which materials to use and how to find a model.

Inside you'll find beautifully illustrated, easy-to-follow, step-by-step chapters that make it easy for anyone to draw a face.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250063991
Publisher:	St. Martin's Publishing Group
Publication date:	05/05/2015
Pages:	128
Sales rank:	167,918
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 8.70(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

JAKE SPICER is a figurative draftsman, painter, and printmaker who lives and works in the UK, where he is the principal teacher of the Brighton and London Life Drawing Sessions. In 2009 Jake was named the Fringe Report Artist of the Year, and his work is exhibited widely across the UK.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION
A Face in 15 Minutes
The Model
Your Materials

LEARNING TO DRAW
Attitudes and Techniques
Looking
Mark-making
Tone
Light
Observational Measuring
The Technique

THE BASIC PORTRAIT SKETCH
Stage 1: Establishing the Head
Stage 2: Constructing the Head
Stage 3: Elaborating on the Head
Shaping the Hair
Checking Relationships
Putting It All Together
Understanding the Head and Shoulders
Understanding the Angles of the Head

THE DEVELOPED PORTRAIT SKETCH
Developing the Portrait
Eyes and Nose
Nose to Mouth
Teeth
The Chin and Jaw
The Jaw and Neck
The Ears
The Hair
Facial Hair

TAKING YOUR DRAWING FURTHER
Likeness
Expression
Age
Male and Female Characteristics
Blemishes and Freckles
Racial Differences
Accessories
Problem Solving
Hair Styles Reference
Head Angles Reference
References: Exploring Drawing

Acknowledgments

Editorial Reviews

08/01/2015
Many readers will find the very short time commitment involved in the method presented here to be a decidedly unintimidating approach to sketching portraits. Artist Spicer suggests portrait sittings of about 15 minutes because most subjects are able to remain still for this brief amount of time. The short session also helps the artist's drawings to seem fresh and alive. An introductory section gives an overview of the author's method and basic drawing materials. Spicer then walks readers through finding and working with models, who can often be a friend or family member. For less experienced artists, there is a chapter on drawing fundamentals such as tone, rendering light and shade, and observational measuring. Sections on portrait sketches explore drawing human heads, starting with essential anatomy of the head, face, neck, and shoulders. From there, the author shows how to render facial features and expressions realistically and in the likeness of the sitter. Step-by-step exercises accompany insightful description throughout. VERDICT Anyone, beginner or experienced artist, can use this guide to build or improve their portrait drawing skills.

Library Journal