How to draw a portrait from a photo and become more accurate for life drawing

Drawing tutorial : In this video, I want to show you how I draw a portrait from a photo while trying to become more accurate for life drawing.

I make this drawing from a photograph but at the same time imagine that I am drawing a real person. Keeping that in mind, I don't use any technique that can't be applied to a situation where a model sits in front of me.

I don't use tracing paper, grids, projectors or any kind of geometric measuring tool...
This video will show you a few tips that you can use in your practice to get better prepared for life portrait drawing. This exercise doesn't replace life drawing but can train you for it.

These tips are good to train your eye to become more accurate. They are not really relevant if your plan is to draw only from photographs and rely soly on tracing paper, but they can make a huge difference if you would like to draw someone's portrait from life and feel that you need some preparation.

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[MrRobots]

"...forget tracing paper, grid, projections or any geometric tools. The best tool is your eye". I became your fan from that line onwards

[TMokrowiecki]

No blending, pure hatching and cross-hatching, amazing drawing skills...

[lu_lu]

I used to try and draw portraits SO MUCH in the past. I tried over and over again but none of the proportions ever seemed right...they all ended up as bad as the last. I came across this video and thought “well...it wouldn’t hurt to try” and I haven’t regretted watching it since. I’ve learned to draw portraits correctly and the drawings actually end up looking like the actual picture! Thank you so much!

[baconftw]

Bravo on not using tracing paper or grids or anything; there are so many viral(ish) videos on facebook of people drawing celebrities where they start the video with the outlines already done perfectly and mysteriously no explanation of how it was achieved is given, which suggests tracing or grids to me and I feel people liking these videos are being cheated a bit because rendering is only half of the challenge in drawings. I think almost anyone could trace to get an outline and shade over that to get a good result but they shouldn't flaunt it as if its some great skill, people like you developing their eye and a real skill at producing accurate proportions should be the ones going viral imho.

P.s. I can't vouch for the mirror technique enough, the amount of times mirrors have shown me mistakes I hadn't noticed is unbelievable.

[joynober]

I started portrait drawings in school a few years ago and I have to say, your explanations are way better than anything I learned in school. Thank you!

[tomkennish]

This has been the most impactful video out of the 100s I have watched since beginning to draw and falling in love with it only months ago, for the first time at age 40. The techniques and narration of your thought processes behind all of your actions are so well explained. It is hard to find this. I watch more tutorials, read many books, taken many courses on an array of various interests I have had throughout my entire life, so please know from a devour of information and sort of "professional learner"(for lack of a better term)- you are an exceptionally gifted instructor. From experience I could tell instantly you have a rare gift for teaching and I thank you for sharing it. So helpful, thank you

[hozida]

In the first three minutes it already resembles the person. Pretty cool.

[rev.marke.sanders]

I love watching you seeing. Before I draw, I must practice seeing.

[krishna]

Well said.. when I started using grid lines... It took away all the fun while drawing. ...Sketching is not an engineering homework.
I'm using my observations to calculate and draw a portrait. Although it's not completely accurate but with enough practice, I'm getting there. . But what most important is I'm loving the whole process of sketching. ❤️

[plexoruselpuerco]

I appreciate that he drew a normal man instead of choosing a super model

[Kedriann]

best tutorial I've seen that challenges me to use my eyes and not rely on grids or measurement! I love your techniques, keep up the good work!

[MrPierref]

Definitely, one of the best portrait drawing tutorials I've seen. You've raised significant points, which should help learners set off on the right foot: a) don't draw too large or too small b) keep the drawing level with the object c) concentrate on the larger shapes at first, without concerning oneself with details d) "take your time" ... and so on.

[itzgachamizukipie]

As an 11 year old I LOVE drawing, and I'm currently learning how to draw real life drawings I'm always amazed by people like my father draw so realistic and right now how you explain is really helpful so thank you (0w0)

[tokyorosa]

This is the best drawing tutorial I think I have ever seen. I am excited to try this method to improve my drawing.

I just subscribed. Thank you for these amazing videos! I hope to see many more.

[robertyoung]

1 year later from my last comment: Wow I've gotten pretty good at drawing portraits but that's because I rely heavily on the grid method + a proportional divider (I might as well just trace lmao). But this guy is on some next level. I hope to one day improve so much to the point there I don't need to even think about the grid method +proportional divider.

[jamesaritchie]

This is fascinating. It's a wonderful take on drawing from a photo, and one I haven't seen in the fifty years I've been involved in the arts. I think drawing from photos is a good learning tool, as is using grids and other such techniques, but I've always believed these things should be abandoned as soon as possible because they can interfere massively when trying to learn the skills required for life drawing.

Now, I'm also a firm believer in being able to draw from the imagination, and incorporating memories and plain old personal life experience, largely emotions, but also people, into the work. I really can't do this with photos, with grids, etc. Because of this, I stopped drawing from photos as soon as I could get realistic drawings on paper, with rare exceptions, often as a favor to someone, but every great now and then for the money. Favors I did two or three times per year, copying a photo for money was much less frequent.

But your take on it really does add a new dimension, a new reason to use a photo to improve life drawing. Though there is one difference.

I can't remember who told the story, other than it being an artist who was holding a life drawing class. The life model was a woman, if it matters, and the professor could tell one of the students, a male, was getting more and more antsy, and seemingly had trouble concentrating. He thought it might have been because this was the first time they had a nude model, but then the situation became clear when the upset student screamed at the model, "For God's sake, will you PLEASE stop breathing!"

At least photos don't breath. Or sneeze, or cough, or yawn. I've had all three happen. It never bothered me, but it drove some of the students crazy.

[MisakiChan]

7 years since i started drawing, and i've watched hundred and hundred of tutorials.. well i guess that's the best one, amazing job, it's so clear and simple now, it looks obvious now that i've watched your video, instant subscribe, great job, keep up

[etienneedward]

I believe this is the 3rd time I'm watching this video, but I feel like I'm watching it the 1st time I love your lessons thank you!

[fnikitathomas]

I never even thought about standing up! I agree that this is one of the best videos for drawing technique on YouTube. BTW, how long did it take you to finish the drawing?

[Kamikazee]

This is literally the BEST drawing tutorial i have ever seen