Exercises that TRANSFORMED my Portrait Drawing

When I got back to drawing two years ago, my portrait drawings lacked structure, depth, and art style, and getting them to look somewhat believable was a long and often frustrating process.

Recently, I have been practicing a lot and just exploring different exercises to improve my portrait drawing skills, and in this video, I share 6 of my favorite exercises that have improved my ability to draw consistently better faces as a beginner over the last couple of years.

🕗 Chapters

00:00 Intro
00:59 Exercise 1: Drawing sculptures
02:59 Exercise 2: The Bargue method
05:00 Exercise 3: Skull practice
05:49 Exercise 4: The Loomis head
07:03 Exercise 5: The Bridgman head cube
08:10 Exercise 6: Master studies

📂 Free resources that can help you learn and practice these portrait drawing exercises:

✎📖 Books and art supplies I own (Affiliate Links):

Guys, this happens to be my second video on Youtube and I would love to hear your feedback so I can improve my next video! And please do consider liking this video and subscribing to my channel so the algorithm gods are kind to me!

Thanks so much for your interest and support! 💌

[laschizo]

Amazing video, very useful for beginners! I own the Loomis method book, but I had never heard about the other books you´ve mentionned, I´m definitely going to give it a go! As for studying sculptures and the masters, it is something that all the most skilled contemporary artists I know of speak about! I´ve personally never tried, it´s the beginner´s temptation to just skip the steps and draw whatever you want believing yours skills will magically improve. I guess it works for some people, but I it is most likely the way to go if you want to up your game!

[dianamackintos]

Day two of not watching YouTube shorts and finding good quality content that I wanna cry

[gwdavidson]

It's nice to see videos where the artist shows how they started and the progress they have made, thank you.

[pinocchiohero]

I noticed a shift in my sketching when i started trying to sketch sculptures! Its so much fun.

[Anastasiabruno]

FINALLY a someone that actually gives good advices . I am a portrait artist and academy of fine arts students of graphic design and I didn’t know the book you mentioned! It doesn’t have many text but just useful drawing and this is so amazing! You just motivated me right now in bed to start drawing!

[Miss_Annlaug]

“ these probably don’t look that amazing”. Proceeds to show us STUNNING drawings❤😂🎉🎉🎉🎉I’m an artist I know skill when I see it.

[theonedayatatimepodcast]

Wow, I actually think you are very talented! The video makes me want to give it a try. Thank you for sharing!

[Raeprim]

You're great. I love your drawings. Everything you showed shows mastery of line, values and form. I love the subtle stylizations on your portraits.

[ladaga]

Thank so much to take your time to show us how too do thing correctly to get raise and be better and be better. Amazing video and amazing person behind. Congrats

[robbieslater]

Wonderful insights and information on the different reference books on drawing methods, outlined by George Bridgeman, Charles Bargue, Andrew Loomis. Ammar you provide brilliant videos for Portrait Students. Look forward to more videos you produce, you are an Amazing teacher. Keep on creating and inspiring us. Have lovely day. PS huge thank you from me in Australia 😊🙏✏📚

[rabplaysguitar]

You should absolutely keep up the work on YT. I really love the light touch you have with your pencil. This video greatly summarises the mindset required when drawing portraits, or anything volumetric for that matters. Big shapes, proportion and structure ❤. Subscribed

[uptoourpass]

A lovely, unassuming intro to portrait drawing. I've been avoiding the practice, but recently took photos of sculptures that will now prove useful. Thank you for sharing your extraordinary talent.

[missducouteau]

5:26 it’s my favorite I’m majoring nursing my drawings improved after my anatomy classes 😅

[lockm]

Stumbled upon your website a good while ago and i found it super helpfull, i didn't realise you had YT channel. YT algorithm came through, so glad you have a channel!
Also great style!

[createri]

This channel and this content is literally what I was searching for, tysm man for your hard work.
This video was very helpful ❤

[lenakataeva]

This is so useful! I was scared to start drawing again. But I'll do it today and start with drawing sculptures

[defnegulmen]

Thanks for all the exercises! I am going to try drawing sculptures and bargue method. Great video!

[hoopyfrood]

I had been going to the local art museum to draw directly from actual portrait and figure sculpture. Very helpful.

[courtneyfarley]

Such a helpful video! Thank you for walking us through the different methods. I have a clearer understanding on how to approach things now! I hope you will continue with more videos. Seeing your progress and hearing your thinking regarding your process is appreciated. ☺️

[silentartist]

Beautiful renders as always. Incredible work.