artists_logo.gif Artist's Marketplacee
  Your interactive artists' community
Saturday, October 11, 2008 Register | Login
     
 
Artists Network
Subject: Study of Faces

You are not authorized to post a reply.   
Author Messages
futurecreations

Posts:28

12/23/2007 4:31 PM Alert 

I've decided to practice faces and would appreciate any helpful insights/critiques.

Thanks and I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday! Laurie






gbritnell
Posts:38

12/23/2007 5:33 PM Alert 

As with any subject matter the most important aspect is practice. It's ok to use a photograph but that doesn't teach you the basics of head construction. You should pick up a book or search online for some information on either anatomy for the artist or drawing the human figure. Generally what you will find is the average proper proportions for head construction, eye, nose, mouth spacing, length of head etc. Once you have this information then it's back to the drawing board and practice drawing heads, eyes, mouths etc. There are no shortcuts that I am aware of, it just takes work. The main thing to remember is if you want to get good at a particular subject learn everything about it and stick with it. Some people like doing landscapes so they have to got through the same learning curve only instead of anatomy they have to learn the difference between a pine tree and a maple tree. I enjoy doing automobiles so I had to study geometric constructions, ellipses and perspective, along with reflections etc.

gbritnell

bggordon

Posts:220

12/24/2007 12:50 AM Alert 
Hi Laurie, I think you did fine on the lady in the portrait, I agree with gbritnell. Also, I'm in art school myself and just finished Drawing & Anatomies. Aside from the fact that I draw mainly portraiture to begin with, This was one of the assignments. Drawing from pictures are just fine if you cant get someone to pose. Either way it helps hone your skill. My point about the class is, one technique thats taught for drawing portraits, as far as getting them proportionately correct is the measurement. The issue I see is that you have the little girls eyes too close and it looks as if the left eye is looking more toward the right than the right eye. One technique of measurement is that generally, there is one eye length between the eyes. Another is placing the eyes properly on the face, ie. not too far up on the forehead. Try splitting the face into sections and use your pencil to measure distances in the photo. Sometimes this helps. But practice really is key, and there are a lot of books for the artist to reference. You can also go to About.com to see specific training on drawing. Just about anything. I hope this isn't too wordy and helps. Bill
futurecreations

Posts:28

12/29/2007 10:07 PM Alert 
Thanks for the input...I have been to about.com and love it...I learned the same things in art class as far as measurements and proportions...and now I am just trying to practice those ideas. I see what you mean about the little girls eyes, thanks, those are the comments I am looking for...it seems once I am into my work I have a difficult time seeing those small issues that make a big difference!
MSHa
Posts:12

12/30/2007 12:21 AM Alert 
Buy a plastic skull.  Do skull studies until you see them in your sleep.  Get the old book, "Drawing The Head And Figure", by Jack Hamm.  Around 10$  Old, but still the most accurate, simple book I have seen.
You are not authorized to post a reply.



ActiveForums 3.6