DRAWING FACES // FRANCIS VALLEJO // ASSIGNMENTS & RESOURCES

VIDEO ONE - INTRODUCTION TO DRAWING FACESInstructor Francis Vallejo approaches drawing faces by first and foremost learning to draw the whole head. By learning the head as a whole, not only do we grasp the true shape of the head, but we’ll also have a thorough understanding of how all the facial features fit together.

To master the head, learn first to draw the head as a whole, and then add individual features. Practice drawing the head from all angles, and then work on expressions.

Lastly, add light and shadow. By following this path, we’ll never find ourselves stuck on drawing just one set of features set in one expression from one angle. The possibilities are limitless!

A great tool for learning to draw the head is a model skull. Every artist should have one! Model skulls can be found at art supply stores and online.

In the next videos, this lesson series will cover:

n Applying the basic anatomy to the structure of the skull

n Learning to quickly and easily draw the neck from any angle

n Rhythms of the face for natural feature placement

n Planes of the face for easy shading

n Lighting patterns to bring your heads to life

Ready? Let’s get started!

PRO ART TIP:Get your hands on one

of these beauties!

DRAWING FACES // FRANCIS VALLEJO // ASSIGNMENTS & RESOURCES

DRAWING FACES // FRANCIS VALLEJO // ASSIGNMENTS & RESOURCES

VIDEO TWO - ANATOMY OF THE FACEBy starting with the underlying form of the skull we learn not only where to place all the facial features, but also the structure of the face, from chin to cheekbones.

Keep in mind:

n The eyes sit in the middle of the head.

n The base of the nose is halfway between the brow and the chin.

n The edges of the nostrils are in line with the inside corners of the eyes.

n The lips sit on the upper teeth.

n The ears fit between the brow and the base of the nose.

DRAWING FACES // FRANCIS VALLEJO // ASSIGNMENTS & RESOURCES

VIDEO TWO - ANATOMY OF THE FACE

SKILL CHECK

Study the diagram for reference, then follow the video in placing the features and landmarks on the skull template.

VIDEO THREE - DRAWING THE NECKThe neck relies on only a few basic parts. Working with these landmarks and muscle masses, we can quickly build a neck from any angle.

Keep in mind:

n The trapezius muscle connects to the back of the skull and flows out over the shoulders.

n From just behind each ear, the sterno-mastoid muscles descend to the pit of the neck, where the clavicles join the sternum of the ribcage. This dip can be felt at the base of the throat.

n The underside of the chin can be tight or loose, turning into the throat and joining the mass formed by the sterno-mastoids. This area can describe both the age and gender of the subject according to its shape and size.

SKILL CHECK

Draw a head from the back, a head from the side, a head from the front, and a head in a ¾ view. Add necks to each head by adding the muscle masses and throat.

DRAWING FACES // FRANCIS VALLEJO // ASSIGNMENTS & RESOURCES

VIDEO FOUR - RHYTHMS OF THE FACEThe rhythms of the face create a formula for placing features and finding planes for future rendering. Although it looks complicated, drawing the rhythms one at a time will clarify the shape of the head step-by-step, so that the featureless round mass becomes more and more familiar.

n Every artist uses a different number of rhythms to create a face, and may alter some to suit their approach and style. Learn the pattern as shown, knowing it can always be adjusted in the future.

n For more about the rhythms of the face, search the Internet for Frank Reilly and his Reilly method for rhythms of the face.

SKILL CHECK

Using the diagrams as a guide, follow the video to draw the rhythms of the head on front and side views.Pay special attention to the order in which they’re drawn so the face is built up without confusion.

DRAWING FACES // FRANCIS VALLEJO // ASSIGNMENTS & RESOURCES

VIDEO FIVE - PLANES OF THE FACEThe rhythms of the head reveal the planes of the head, which help us see the head as a three-dimensional object in space.

The major planes of the head include the side planes, the front plane, the sides of the nose, the cheeks, and the brow.

When simple shading is applied to the planes of the face, the features realistically come to life in three dimensions.

n To study the effectiveness of simple shading on

simple planes, check out the art of Mike Mignola,

famous for his creation of the comic Hellboy.

n Every artist will use different rhythms and

features to visualize the planes for their style.

Experiment with various approaches. A planar

head model can be a great tool for this; they can

be found at many art supply stores.

SKILL CHECK

Using the diagrams as a guide, follow the process in the video for drawing simple planes on the face in front, side, and ¾ views.

Add simple shading with one value to bring out depth and dimension.

DRAWING FACES // FRANCIS VALLEJO // ASSIGNMENTS & RESOURCES

VIDEO SIX - LIGHTING THE FACEBy memorizing a handful of basic lighting patterns, the face can easily be lit even without reference.The four lighting patterns include:n Butterfly, from aboven Loop, from above and just to the siden Rembrandt, from slightly above and more to the siden Split, directly from one side

DRAWING FACES // FRANCIS VALLEJO // ASSIGNMENTS & RESOURCES

Draw four front-facing heads with simple features and basic planes.

Using the diagrams for reference and the video as a guide, with one value

shade in the shadows for each of the four lighting patterns. Now draw two heads in ¾ view.

Using the Loop or Rembrandt patterns, shade one head with Broad lighting and one head with Short lighting.

Broad lighting refers to lighting which exposes the

majority of the face in light. Short lighting refers to

lighting concealing most of the face in shadow.

These lighting patterns can be added to a face after the

construction and drawing of a head, using the planes and

rhythms as guides.

For more interesting light and shadow, use reference or

shoot your own photographs to explore all the ways light

can reveal the features of the face.

DRAWING FACES // FRANCIS VALLEJO // ASSIGNMENTS & RESOURCES

SKILL CHECK

AFTER WATCHING THIS VIDEO COURSEDrawing heads and faces is a journey that never really ends.After this lesson, check out Francis Vallejo’s series on portrait drawing:n How to Draw a Mouthn Drawing Hairn Drawing Head Shapesn Drawing EyesFor more about the proportions of the head, take a look at Sycra Yasin’s Face Drawing Proportions.Most of all, never stop drawing faces and heads!Please share your exercises and artwork in the Community for feedback and support.

DRAWING FACES // FRANCIS VALLEJO // ASSIGNMENTS & RESOURCES

TRY THESE EXERCISES TO SHARPEN YOUR SKILLS!Create a series of head drawings turning from left to right. Begin with the head facing left, and sketch in basic anatomy, rhythms and planes.Add a simple lighting pattern if you like! Now draw the head facing slightly forward, an extreme ¾ view. Use the rhythms and patterns to find the different shapes and planes

in the turning head.Continue drawing heads turning little by little until you reach a front-facing portrait - and then draw them continuing to turn to face the right!For a real challenge, try drawing the head moving from facing down to facing up, or draw it turning from left to right from the back.

SKILL UP

Look through photographs and artwork until you find a portrait you really admire. Use the techniques from the lesson to create a master-copy of the portrait. Try not to simply observe and follow outlines, but build the head based on anatomical

proportions, rhythms and planes.

Don’t worry too much about details; just try to capture the nature and character of the head. See if the lighting pattern matches one of those presented in the video and add simple lightning to create a finished drawing.

BONUS ROUND

Study some references that inspire you, then draw a basic head with whatever rhythms and planes suit your style.Now create an original character or creature from the basic head plan, with interesting and unique features.

Select a lighting pattern and add lighting to create a finished, original portrait!

ADVANCED

DRAWING FACES // FRANCIS VALLEJO // ASSIGNMENTS & RESOURCES