How to Draw Human Head Outline

How to Draw Outlines of the human head

Today we are going to be talking about outlines of the human head. Outlines are just guidelines that will help to structure out the image you want to paint, draw or create.  These fast structure sketches are just the framework for the final image. They are not to be taken very seriously, however, they are important to help your overall finished image.

How many of you start off with an outline and find yourself spending more time on it than you think you should? How many of you worry if the outline is the right shape or size (proportion wize)? These are valid concerns but are ultimately not worth the stress.  Outlines are just the idea of your creation, not the finished work. Try not to spend so much time on them. Just get the idea out and on paper.

When I was young, I asked my art teacher to help me with my outlining. If you are in need of help, I will tell you what my teacher told me. “Draw as many outlines as you can, as fast as you can.” Outlines are like doodles but with purpose. Main object are most important as well as perspective. As long as you get these down and in the correct place for your composition, everything else will fall into place.

I like to think of outlines as a map with landmarks. Let’s say you are trying to show draw someone a map to your house (if Google Maps server went down or something).  Would I be safe to assume you would use landmarks, street names and cross streets as reference points? Maybe there is a big tree on the corner of your street. Would you include that on your map? It’s the same thing with outlines. Landmarks are most important as well as the direction things are moving. You are drawing a map for yourself to understand where everything is in your image. Pretty easy, right?

So, lets get started.

The first example I would like to talk about is my personal favorite. I use this more often then the others just because I’m more comfortable with it. Let’s check it out!

Example 1:

I like to call this the “egg shape” method. Making an egg shape with my arm, pencil hovering about the page, I create this shape. I slowing bring my pencil to the page and continue the shape until I'm happy with the overall look, size and shape. Once I’ve completed that step I’m ready to add my cross lines. Notice that every line is basically centered with the shape or a portion of the shape. Eyes are half the head; nose is half the bottom portion of the head; mouth is half the bottom portion of the nose. The size of the eye is very important as well. However large you would like to make the eye, make sure that you could fit 5 of them across the width of the head. Every human is built this way, unless of awesome circumstances. These are the basics of the human face no matter male or female. Once again, detail will be added later once everything is proportionate and the composition is where you would like it to be.

Example 2:

This example is what I like to use when I’m sketching a caricature, cartoon or some type of comic book super hero. This outline is more for the “straight on” look. It’s not very good to use on a 45 degree or 3 quarters viewpoint. It’s cleaner but still has its drawbacks. Notice that all the cross lines are the same as the first example. These cross lines will never change; only the viewer’s perspective will change. Let move on to the 3^rd and final example I like to use for sketching human heads.

Example 3:

This way of outlining is very useful in the real world. Starting with a circle to represent the top portion of the skull helps with any viewpoint you choose to use. The jawbone lines can be built on top of this circle in any direction. It’s extremely useful when drawing or sketching still lives or life itself. The process is a little slower than the rest and there are more lines to get lost in, but if you understand what YOU are doing with it; it really doesn’t matter.

Remember, these are very loose sketches to start with. You want to try to build the image up not just jump right into detail. Think of it as; you can’t build a roof until the walls go up. You can’t build a house if you don’t have a foundation. The same goes for all artwork. A foundation is what helps keep the idea standing.

(If you found this helpful, leave me a comment and let me know. I want to help artist become better and this will let me know what content to include. If you have any questions, would like to talk more about today’s subject or would like to suggest other “how to” blogs/videos; feel free to contact me via email: DanielGilbreathFineArt@yahoo.com and subscribe to my website http://www.DanielGilbreath.com to stay up to date with new lessons and art work by me.)