Portrait Drawing For Beginners

To get started please download and read the attached resource with instructions or just read the instructions printed below:

Pre-Instruction Drawing Assignment | A walk into the unknown

To get started you will make a record of your current drawing skill level.

This is super valuable, and it gives you a keepsake and reminder of just where you

started this journey. It will be something you can go back to later and compare your later drawings

with to see your progress. If you are an experienced artist this might be

easy for you, but if you are a beginner it might be both scary and

exciting. Let me encourage you to jump in with both feet because the

you do the earth will move beneath you to support your next step!

Expect it to be awkward but do it anyway. You will learn a whole bunch

I promise :) After you have been drawing for a while you will forget

where you started, and this will be an encouraging and realistic reminder

of your progress.

What you'll need:

• Paper to draw on—plain white bond paper or 9” x 12” charcoal paper

is fine

• A #2 writing pencil, 2B pencil or charcoal pencil

• Your pencil sharpener

• A small mirror, about 5" x 7", that could be attached to a wall,

or any available wall or door mirror

• A drawing board or something to use as a drawing board—a

breadboard or a sturdy piece of cardboard,

• An hour to an hour and a half of uninterrupted time

What you'll do:

You will do two drawings. This usually takes an hour and a half to do,

but feel free to take as long as you wish for each of them. First are the

drawing titles and then the instructions for each drawing follows.

• "Self-Portrait"

• "A Person, Drawn from Memory”

Pre-instruction drawing #1: Your “Self-Portrait”

1. To provide a better drawing surface draw in your drawing pad or tape a few sheets of paper to your drawing board and

draw on that. This will cushion the surface and will be nicer to draw on than a harder surface.

2. Sit at arm's length (about 2 to 2+1/2 feet) from a mirror. Lean your board up against the wall or counter resting the bottom

of the board on your lap.

3. Look at the reflection of your head and face in the mirror and draw your "Self-Portrait."

4. When you have finished, title, date, and sign the drawing in the lower right-hand or lower left-hand corner.

Pre-instruction drawing #2: A person, drawn from memory

1. Call up in your mind's eye an image of a person—perhaps someone from the past or a person you know now. Or you

may recall a drawing you did in the past or a photograph of a person well known to you.

2. To the best of your ability, make a drawing of that person. You may draw just the head or a half-figure

3. When you have finished, title, sign, and date your drawing

**If you are a beginner please be gracious with yourself and don’t criticize the drawings harshly. Remember that these

drawings are done without any instruction. Just look for the areas you did well and congratulate yourself. You just hit it out of

the park!! Buy yourself a treat, get your favorite coffee or yummy snack–something that will make you feel good. If you have

more experience go ahead and notice the things you did well as well as the areas you could improve. Don’t forget

to treat yourself too :) The rewards are important so don’t skip them!

I can’t wait to see your progress so let’s get started!

TRADITIONAL PORTRAIT INSTRUCTIONS Printed here for your convenience

(See attached .pdf file for download)

A high profile client has hired YOU to draw their portrait. This is

your time to shine and do the best portrait you have ever done!

Due: by the end of the course.

Here are your instructions:

A. From the list below choose the kind of portrait you want to do from 5 different options.

B. Find a model and choose the pose, lighting, and clothing. You are free to

take a photo of the model or work form life.

C. If you can't find a model you can find a reference photo online that inspires

you and work from that.

D. To be done on 18” x 24” white or toned charcoal paper using charcoal or

pencil. Half body from the waist up and close ups are permitted. No full

body compositions.

PORTRAIT STYLES TO CHOOSE FROM

1. TRADITIONAL PORTRAIT

Traditional or Classical portraiture would refer

to an image where face is the predominant

element like this portrait I drew of my friends

daughter. As the art director I set up the pose

and controlled the lighting to get the look I

wanted. The purpose of the photograph is to

depict visual representation of that person.

Subject can be looking directly at the camera

or have a 3/4 view. With what is described as a

head-shot, two thirds framing can be used.

2. ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAIT

The term Environmental Portrait refers

to an image where the subject is

photographed in person’s natural

environment like this farmer by

photographer Jonathan Bielaski.

Additional examples could be: a worker

photographed at the construction zone,

teacher in the classroom, sculptor in a

sculpture studio and so on. Surroundings are used to compliment the

subject and to emphasize his character.

3. CANDID PORTRAIT

A candid portrait is taken

without a subject expecting

or acknowledging the

photographer like this

waitress in a coffee shop.

This style used in photo

journalism, travel

photography, street

photography and event photography. As opposed to an environmental

portrait this image is captured at the moment rather than set up.

4. GLAMOR PORTRAIT

The term Glamor Portrait refers to portraits where

emphasis is given to highlight the sexy romantic

appeal of the subject. The lighting is usually soft

shadows, with even, bright lighting. Think

Hollywood movies and fashion magazines.

5. LIFESTYLE PORTRAIT

The term Lifestyle Portrait refers to portraits where emphasis is given to

suggest the “style of living” of the individuals. Technically it is a

combination of environmental portrait and candid

portrait. More weight is given to communicate the

feeling of life experience of the subject. Usually

found in commercial and fine art photography.

The editorial, fashion, pharmaceutical, and food

industries often use lifestyle images to evoke

emotions in viewers by depiction of desired life

styles. It is common to see this style used in

wedding and family portrait photography as well.

PROPOSED SCHEDULE (be done as you move through the course)

Week 1

Look at the material and think about which kind of portrait you want to

make

Week 2

Decide on which portrait you want to do and commit to it.

Start doing research and get your creative juices flowing.

Week 3:

Gather reference, make notes, and think about a lighting strategy to best

show your portrait. Look at the Photoshop file with lighting strategies to

help you show your model in the best way as well as convey any emotion

that you think might help describe who the person is.

Find the .psd file called “Creative portrait lighting for artists” to find

lighting strategies and their emotional applications for portraiture.

You can watch my video on 7 different creative lighting set ups for artists

here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSLXJePJd24

Week 4

Do 3-5 thumbnail drawings at the beginning stage to explore how you

want to compose and light the model. Thumbnails are very small drawings

(2 x 3 inches) that show the most essential information about the character.

You can use line or tone for this. Keep it very simple focusing on proportion

and light and dark areas. Don’t use too much detail.

Go here for some helpful hints on the thumbnail process:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/564638872011970206/

Week 5

Start your final drawing. Be careful to draw lighting and check your

proportions carefully. Make sure your construction is valid.

Week 6, 7

Continue working on your portrait. Put in the values to build the tonal

structure. Make sure your connections and construction are valid.

Week 8

Turn in you final portrait. You did it, congratulations!!

Course Study Plan (printed here in case you can't download it)

Bootcamp Portrait Drawing Course

Module 1

SEE and CONSTRUCT

Your first drawing: The first drawing which is a “pre Instruction” drawing of a self portrait in

charcoal. It is a “Memento” drawing–a snapshot of where you are now in our artistic process.

Please find the “Pre-Instruction Drawing Assignment” document and follow the instructions

Buy a sketchbook about 9 x 12 inches in size. There are many different kinds out there. I

recommend one that can open up and lay flat so it doesn’t keep trying to close while you are

drawing.

Your portrait masterpiece. Download and read the assignment descriptions. At the end of

this course you will have your very own professional portrait masterpiece for your portfolio.

Look at the material and think about which kind of portrait you want to make. Decide on

which portrait you want to do and commit to it. Start doing research and get your creative

juices flowing.

Practice seeing like an artist using the squint and compare technique when you are looking

at things throughout the day. Especially use it when you are drawing. In your sketch book do

10 drawings small drawings (5 per page) that look like flat 2D puzzle pieces that interlock and

form a picture like in the “Lighting" and “Bad Xerox” videos. Fill in the darks and keep it

simple!

Download the Planes of the Head Template Practice file. You should consider practicing

the Plane Head and Rhythm Head templates a half a dozen times or so over the length of the

course. It can take that long for it to get into your muscle memory. Once it is there your head

DRAW JUICE - PORTRAIT DRAWING !1

drawing skills will improve dramatically!

Sketch in your sketchbook from life or from photos for 15-30 minutes if you can manage it.

Module 2

ACTION and FORM

Practice drawing the head in profile with the triangle shape. Do a 2 minute practice

session for 14 minutes. Then do a 5 minute practice session like I demo in the video for 15

minutes.

Continue your portrait. Gather reference, make notes, and think about a lighting strategy to

best show your portrait.

Find the .psd file called “Creative portrait lighting for artists” to find lighting strategies and their

emotional applications for portraiture to help convey who the person is more clearly to you

and your audience.

You can watch my video on 7 different creative lighting set ups for artists here:

www . youtube . com/watch?v=OSLXJePJd24

Do 5-10 thumbnails and work out the composition, lighting and proportions. Do 5-10 small

thumbnail drawings at the beginning stage to explore how you want to compose and light the

model.

Thumbnails are very small drawings that show the most essential information about the

character. You can use line or tone for this. Keep it very simple focusing on proportion and

light and dark areas. Don’t use too much detail.

Draw the planes of the head from the Front view as in the demo video. This can be done

DRAW JUICE - PORTRAIT DRAWING !2

in charcoal or digitally. Try doing this a few times over the week to get it into your muscle

memory.

Draw the head from the Three Quarter view as in the Charcoal demo video. It can be

done

traditionally large or small in size, or you can do it digitally. The important thing is to just do it

and get the hang of it.

Module 3

the FEATURES

Draw the features from the 5 different positions on 8.5 x 11 inch paper or in your

sketchbook or Photoshop. Use the homework reference worksheet as a guide.

Continue drawing your portrait. Try to orchestrate your portrait so all the elements come

together in a compelling way like a conductor in a symphony to delight and entertain yourself

and your viewers. Post your progress to the Facebook group to get feedback and

encouragement.

Sketch in your sketchbook from life or from photos for 15-30 minutes each day.

Module 4

OBJECTIVE and LIGHTING

Grab the practice files and do both the Conscious Learning and Improving Your Visual

Memory assignments

DRAW JUICE - PORTRAIT DRAWING !3

Continue to work on your portrait: Start your final portrait drawing. The exciting part is

here! Remember to stick with your plan and see it though. Continue to Post your progress

to the Facebook group to get feedback and encouragement.

Start the drawing very lightly in the block in phase as in a blue print to get it on the paper.

When you draw lightly it’s much easier to correct mistakes and change things.

Consider using an H or HB pencil or charcoal for this because it is easier to draw lightly with

and easier to erase than the softer B pencils. Check your proportions carefully.

Make sure your construction and connections are valid. Refer to my charcoal demonstrations

on how to do a block-in to get it on the paper.

Don’t rush it-take your time! Commit to your plan and be determined to see it through. You

can do this! !

Go here for some helpful hints on the thumbnail process:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/564638872011970206/

Module 5

DRAW JUICE - PORTRAIT DRAWING !4

DRAW and DESIGN

Continue on your portrait drawing and bring it to a conclusion. Remember to stick with

your plan and see it though.

When finished post your final portrait not the Facebook group to wrap it up.

You’ve done it, congratulations!! You climbed this art mountain and you can be very proud

of yourself.

I wish you continued success in your art journey! Now is a good time to go back and revisit

the first drawing that you did before starting the class. It was the self portrait remember? No

doubt you have come a long way in a short time. Give yourself credit and a big pat on the

back for ANY progress that you made–it’s really important for you to do that. Treat yourself to

something meaningful to celebrate and follow through with it, you are worth it!

Remember to keep creating and never give up!

Sincerely,

Chris Petrocchi / Draw Juice Studios