This document provides guidance on drawing facial features for a portrait. It advises starting with simple contours to guide the drawing of the face and using value rather than outlines to describe it. For eyes seen in profile, it notes that the shape looks like a triangle from the side. It also recommends rendering noses with light and shadow, beginning with light lines and then defining the shadow, including the shadow under the nose. Initial shapes, composition, and guidelines are covered as well as volumes, shading, rendering and finishing the portrait.

1. Introduction to The
Portrait

15. The Eye

16. When you begin the details of the face, start with
simple contours to help guide you but finish the
drawing using value to describe the face, not
outline.

22. Finally, if you are drawing a person in profile, notice that the shape of the eye is
different than when you are looking at the subject straight on. From the side an
eye looks a lot like a triangle.

23. The Mouth

27. Noses can also be tricky. The most important thing is rendering
the nose with light and shadow. Begin with light lines and then
begin to define the shadow.
There is always a shadow on the underside of the nose, though
the lighting will determine how dark it is.
The Nose

32. rendering in charcoal

33. Initial Shapes/Composition

34. Horizontal Plumb Lines, Median Arc

35. Vertical Plumb Lines , Facial Features

36. Volumes and Shading

37. Rendering and Finishing