Drawing a nose from the front view can be easily accomplished by following these step-by-step instructions. The nose can be broken down into three parts: the bridge, the nostrils, and the ball or tip. By dividing the nose into sections, the drawing process becomes much simpler. In this tutorial, we will use basic shapes as guidelines to ensure symmetry and construct the shape of the nose.
To complete this nose drawing, you will need the following materials:
- Ain Mechanical Pencil with 0.5 mm HB lead (If you’re a beginner, using a blunt HB pencil can provide a smoother shading experience)
- Kneaded Rubber Eraser
- Blending Stump (Learn how to use one here)
- Canson Bristol Paper (smooth side)
How to Draw a Nose Step by Step
Step 1: Begin with a Circle
Start by drawing a circle to represent the ball of the nose. Then, add two curved lines on each side to indicate the bridge. Keep the strokes light, as they will be erased in later steps.
Step 2: Sketch Guidelines for the Nose Shape
Draw a horizontal line across the middle of the circle and a diamond-like shape around it to outline the nostrils.
Step 3: Shade around the Nose Bridge and Tip
Shade around the outer part of the bridge and the inner part of the circle, creating a long “U” shape. Pay attention to making the shading thicker at the top of the bridge, as it transitions into the brow bones. Don’t worry if the guidelines from earlier don’t blend in with the shading; we will darken the drawing later.
For a tutorial on drawing a nose from the side, click here.
Step 4: Draw the Nostrils
Follow the diamond shape you created earlier to draw the nostrils. At this point, you’ll begin to see the nose taking shape.
Step 5: Shade the Nostrils
Shade the nostrils, leaving some areas untouched for highlighting later on.
If you’re facing difficulties with shading, click here.
Step 6: Shape the Nose
Shape and contour the bridge and ball of the nose. Experiment with shading to achieve desired effects. For a more pointed look, shade the top of the circle. To create a flatter appearance, shade the middle of the circle. Use the eraser to correct any areas that appear too dark, eliminate visible lines, or highlight specific areas.
Step 7: Blend Your Shading
To achieve a softer look, gently blend the shading using a blending stump. Make any necessary touch-ups and go over the highlighted areas once again with a kneaded eraser. Feel free to experiment with different diamond shapes and circles to create unique nose shapes. Additionally, you can explore various shading techniques to achieve longer, flatter, or more defined noses. For a detailed tutorial on drawing a nose step by step from the side, click here.
If you’re interested in placing the nose correctly on a face with proper proportions, take a look at my tutorial on drawing faces here.
Hey! This tutorial also comes in video format! If you haven’t watched it yet, click here or press play below. The video provides in-depth guidance, includes additional steps, and showcases various techniques.
If you enjoyed this simple nose drawing tutorial and know someone who would appreciate it too, feel free to share it with your friends!
More nose drawing tutorials:
- Drawing noses from a 3/4 view
- Drawing noses from the side
