3/4 View Portraiture

a tutorial for elementary students who have had previous experience in frontal view portraiture

1. Drawing ¾ View Portraits Drawing the face at different angles! Emily Valenza, 2015

2. We see the head turned slightly to the side in a 3/4 view. It’s very similar to the steps of drawing a frontal face!

3. 1. Choose the position of the face You can see how the face is angled by looking at the chin and the vertical lines of the face

4. 2. Draw a basic outline for the face shape The indent you see on the left side is made by the brow ridge, ocular cavity and cheekbone.

5. 3. Draw a curved vertical line for the midpoint of the face (nose line) Now draw a curved horizontal line for the midpoint of the face (eyeline) You should curve these lines towards the indent side of the face.

6. 4. Measure a thumb width from the center line to find where to place the first eye. Add the second eye so it fits in the space between the edge of the face and the center line.

7. 5. Start an arch shape for the eyebrow above the smaller eye, then swoop it down along the middle line to create the nose. Add a second eyebrow!

8. 6. Draw lines down from the center of each eye to find the width of the mouth. Draw the line that is formed when the lips rest against each other. Draw each lip. The pilthrum will be on the center line.

9. 7. Draw horizontal lines from the eyebrows and ears to find the length of the ear, then draw an ear!

10. 8. Swoop lines towards the “ear” side of the face to create a neck shape.

11. 9. Add extra lines for details like: - irises and pupils - eyelids - nostrils - the folds of the ear - outline of the hair

12. 10. Observe where shadows usually form: - under eyebrows - the side of the nose - next to the nostril - inside the ear - under the jawline - on the top lip - under the bottom lip

13. Pay attention to the hair texture you’re drawing! Here are a few examples:

14. These rules are helpful, but the most important skill you can practice is observation : Look carefully in the mirror or at your model. Note the exact shape of the face, eyes, nose, lips and ears. What is unique about the person that you see? Glasses? Braces? An awesome hairstyle? Make sure to add these details to achieve a likeness.

15. Drawing Expressions