Here’s a simple and straightforward method for beginners to learn how to draw both male and female faces. In this tutorial, we will start by drawing two basic faces and then explore how slight modifications can significantly affect the overall appearance. Whether you’re an aspiring artist or just looking for a fun creative activity, this tutorial is perfect for you!
Tools You’ll Need
Before we begin, make sure you have the following tools handy:
- HB pencil
- Kneaded Eraser (for lifting graphite in layers)
- Plastic Eraser (for erasing mistakes completely)
- Canson Sketch Paper
To make the process easier, try to sketch lightly so you can easily erase any mistakes along the way. This technique will be particularly helpful when we experiment with different facial features later in the tutorial. Although I’m using a 2B pencil in this demonstration, I recommend using an HB or harder pencil grade.
How to Draw a Male Face
Step 1: Start with a Circle
Begin by drawing a circle and then add a vertical and horizontal line through the center. Keep your construction lines light, and if you’re having trouble drawing a perfect circle, you can always use a round object like a cup or a roll of duct tape as a guide.
Step 2: Define the Chin
To determine the placement of the chin, measure half of the circle’s diameter from the bottom of the circle to the horizontal line. Transfer this measurement to the bottom of the circle and draw a line for the chin.
Step 3: Outline the Cheeks and Jawline
Connect the chin to the circle to create the cheeks and jawline. Remember to keep your lines light, as we will add more definition to the face later. Before proceeding, erase the horizontal line inside the circle.
Step 4: Add Facial Construction Lines
Draw a vertical and horizontal line through the center of the head. Split the bottom and top sections of the face in half, and then split each half in half again. These lines will serve as guides for the eyes, nose, lips, and hair.
Step 5: Draw the Eyes and Eyebrows
Divide the face into five equal sections along the line labeled “eyes.” Take into account the entire width of the head when placing the eyes. If you find it challenging to divide the face equally, you can measure the head’s width with a ruler and divide that number by five. For example, if the widest part of the head is 6cm, divide it by 5 to get 1.2cm, then section the head into portions of 1.2cm each. Draw the eyes within the appropriate spaces.
Step 6: Sketch the Nose
Draw two boundary lines descending from the inner corner of each eye and stopping at the line labeled “nose.” Place the nose within these boundaries. For a medium-length nose, position it slightly above the nose line. If you want to learn more about drawing noses, check out our blog or video tutorial.
Step 7: Define the Lips
Similar to the previous step, draw two boundary lines coming down from the center of each eye and ending at the line labeled “lips.” Create a triangle just below and touching the nose, with the base resting on the “lip” line. To master the art of drawing lips, refer to our blog or video tutorial.
Step 8: Draw the Hair
Begin by drawing an angular shape for the hairline, keeping it well-defined. For the top part of the hairline, position it between the two lines we drew earlier. Once the hairline is complete, continue drawing the remaining hair. To add volume, draw the outlines further away from the head while maintaining a consistent distance to avoid an unrealistic look.
Step 9: Sketch the Ears
Roughly between the eyes and nose lines, draw the ears. Pay attention to their size and placement in relation to the rest of the face.
Step 10: Finalize the Face
Give more definition to the cheeks, jawline, and chin using smooth lines. You can create a sharp jawline and a dimpled chin for a distinctive look. If you want to make the character appear slimmer, add subtle lines to shape the cheeks. Complete the drawing by adding a thick neck and drawing the shoulders as well. Erase any construction lines that are still visible to reveal the final face.
How to Draw a Female Face
Step 1: Begin with a Circle
Just like with the male face, start by drawing a circle with a vertical and horizontal line through the center.
Step 2: Determine the Chin
Measure half of the circle’s diameter and add it to the bottom to determine the chin’s placement. However, this time, make the chin slightly shorter.
Step 3: Outline the Cheeks, Jaw, and Chin
For a more feminine look, draw a narrow face with a tapered jawline. Keep the lines softer and less angular. To achieve this, narrow the chin more compared to the male face.
Step 4: Add Facial Construction Lines
Erase the horizontal line inside the circle and draw a vertical and horizontal line through the center of the head. Split the bottom and top sections of the face into halves and then divide each half in half again.
Step 5: Draw the Eyes
Similar to the male face, divide the face into five equal sections along the line marked “eyes.” Take the full width of the head into account when placing the eyes. Draw the eyes within the second and fourth section. For a detailed guide on drawing realistic eyes, refer to our tutorial.
Step 6: Sketch the Nose
Draw boundary lines descending from the inner corner of each eye and stopping at the line labeled “nose.” Position the nose slightly higher than the “nose line” for a medium-length nose. Keep the lines soft and not too angular. Create a smooth curve for the nose bridge.
Step 7: Define the Mouth
Again, draw boundary lines coming down from the center of each eye. Create a triangle below the nose, resting on the “lips” line. For a medium-length mouth, keep it within the boundary lines and have the bottom lip touch the “lips” line.
Step 8: Outline the Ears
Draw the ears roughly between the eye and nose lines. Pay attention to their size and placement for a proportional look.
Step 9: Draw the Hair
Females tend to have softer and more rounded hairlines. Draw a smooth line around the forehead, avoiding sharp angles. Keep your lines light. Once the hairline is complete, add the remaining hair. For an in-depth tutorial on drawing hair, visit our tutorial.
Step 10: Finalize the Face
Give definition to the cheeks, jawline, and chin using soft lines. A square chin can give a more masculine appearance, while a narrower chin creates a feminine look. Draw a narrow neck compared to the male face. If desired, add the shoulders for a complete drawing. Erase any construction lines that are still visible.
Easily Customize Your Character
The most exciting part of this tutorial is the ability to make endless changes to your characters! Once you’ve drawn a face, you can easily modify the features to experiment with different looks. Play around with hairstyles, lips, nose lengths, eye shapes, and more. You can keep the construction lines as a guide or use the faint lines from erased features to create slightly different variations. Feel free to push the boundaries and have fun with your drawings!
Explore Various Male Faces
Drawing males with thick outlines around the mouth may make them appear more feminine. To create a more masculine look, lighten the outlines. You can also experiment with different eye shapes, angles, and jawlines. Try turning a man into a boy by narrowing and smoothing the jawline. Adding facial hair can also age the character.
Discover Different Female Faces
Small changes can significantly impact the expression of a female face. Widening the eyes can instantly remove a sad appearance, and adjusting the lips and nose position can create various emotions. Don’t be afraid to get creative and explore different features!
Additional Examples
Here are a few more examples to inspire your creativity. Remember to enjoy the process and have fun with your drawings!
We hope you enjoyed this step-by-step drawing tutorial. Happy drawing and have a great time exploring the endless possibilities of creating unique characters!
