Drawing female faces
Bemmu
Well recently I've tried to look at people and understand what
makes a face look like male or female.
Can anyone think of anything to add to my list of female properties?
- smaller chin
- thinner eyes
- thicker eyelashes
- gentler nose
- generally a smaller head
- usually more hair
So now I've tried to give some attention to these and managed to
draw up figures that actually resemble females. Even though it gives
me pain not being able to repeat on paper the beautiful faces
of some people I've seen.
I often end up noticing that the for examle the eyes aren't positioned
correctly or they differ from eachother in size or shape. Or then the
entire head is of the wrong shape and looks deformed. How should I go
about preventing these errors from happening?
And where should I start when drawing a human face?
--
Mikko "Bemmu" Sepponen | www.bemmu.com | BBS +358-3-3183424
arfuh
categorising the elements that made up faces, and then I remember
running to comics to trace their styles...in my experience there
is only one way to learnt to draw female faces and that is to
draw them over again and again etc...if it really means that much
to you, surround yourself with as many varied female faces as you
can (preferably ones you like, for then you will WANT to draw
them) and immerse yourself in it...it works, you ust have to be
patient.
One possibility is that you are trying to create "perfect" faces
using a formula which is based on a very distinctive male face.
Often I find innaccuracies in faces and these give much more
character...
The proportion thing is solvable only by practice. This is an
instinctive thing. When I were at college I knew this wee little
lad who had heard that if you held a mirror up to your drawings
then you could see the flaws, and thus correct them. He spent the
entire year drawing with his right hand whilst simulaneously
holding a mirror in his left. And man did that guys work suck.
Formulas are for
We had an EMPIRE...
http://www.irvingfrazer.freeserve.co.uk
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arfuh
have something important to sa
.....
.....
Richard Pace
> God damn! Why does remarq keep snipping my messages?!? I might
> have something important to sa
Maybe Remarq knows you better than you think?
Richard
At least that's what my wife says when she cuts me off . . .
--
I've added over twenty more images of my artwork to my gallery for your viewing
pleasure!
- http://webhome.idirect.com/~rpace/
Betty Cunningham
examples of the different human facial elements and how they compare
-including a plethora of information on OLD male and female faces.
--
Flying Goat Graphics
http://www.flyinggoat.com
(Society of Vertebrate Paleontology member)
-------------------------------------------<,D,><
arfuh
<bet...@flyinggoat.com> wrote:
>look for STAGE MAKEUP by Richard Corson as a VERY good book with
lots of
>examples of the different human facial elements and how they
compare
>-including a plethora of information on OLD male and female
faces.
>
accurate old faces. Most folk I know just add lots of wrinkles to
young faces making prune-like baby faces.
And babies are hard to draw too, without making them look like
dumplings...
Frazer
Richard Pace
>
> Aha..an oft overlooked element in the artist's repertoire, being
> accurate old faces. Most folk I know just add lots of wrinkles to
> young faces making prune-like baby faces.
Mmmmmmmm, prune-like baby faces . . . .
> And babies are hard to draw too, without making them look like
> dumplings...
Mmmmmmmm, baby dumplings . . . .
Richard
(hmm, sex and food -- well, masturbation and cannibalism, actually -- whotta
news group)
Ruud van Gaal
<firving...@irvingfrazer.freeserve.co.uk.invalid> wrote:
>Ah, magic formula.....
...
>The proportion thing is solvable only by practice. This is an
>instinctive thing. When I were at college I knew this wee little
>lad who had heard that if you held a mirror up to your drawings
>then you could see the flaws, and thus correct them. He spent the
>entire year drawing with his right hand whilst simulaneously
>holding a mirror in his left. And man did that guys work suck.
Hehe! But in fact, looking at your drawing every now & then in a
mirror, or rotated 180 degrees (so that the top is at the bottom)
makes you notice things you didn't notice when it was the right side
up.
But ofcourse, you still need a bit of technique, a bit of practice,
and that bit of talent that makes drawings just a tad better (although
technique and practice can achieve a LOT).
You can see lots of female faces by the way on my Gallery site.
Including a few tips on how I start drawing.
http://www.marketgraph.nl/gallery
Women have soft faces mostly, which doesn't mean skin but facial flow.
Less cornery, smaller distances in facial parts.
Ruud van Gaal
MarketGraph / MachTech: http://www.marketgraph.nl
Art: http://www.marketgraph.nl/gallery
Avi Katz
the face is just the front part of the head, and that any attempt to draw
the face without drawing the head is doomed. One exercise is to practice
drawing portraits, as detailed as possible, from life or photographs, but
LEAVING OUT THE EYES,NOSE AND MOUTH. Or at least think of a portrait as if
you were building it in clay: first building the volume, understanding the
big masses like forehead, cheeks, and chin; then getting the shape between
eyebows and eyes, mouth and nose and so on; and finally getting to the
features.
A PORTRAIT IS NOT AN IDENTI-KIT!
visit my gallery
http://www.avikatz.com
Betty Cunningham
http://www.flyinggoat.com/FGGartpage01B.html
The important thing in portrait work is not to know tricks to do male or
female faces, but to understand the face and it's construction in and of
itself. You can have women with hawk noses (see image at top of page)
or women with cheekbones you can open beer bottles with (see women image
right side of page), as well as chubby or baby-faced men who have soft
features (see the chin and jawline of the male image, right side of
page).
Bridgeman's book on drawing human faces is invaluable for the basic
structures of the face; the ability to recognise how Elmo's face differs
from Elmer's face comes with practice, and practice alone.
-Betty Cunningham
Ruud van Gaal wrote:
> Women have soft faces mostly, which doesn't mean skin but facial flow.
> Less cornery, smaller distances in facial parts.
--
arfuh
now...like the drawings....
frazer colour me impressed
....
Bemmu
Ruud van Gaals images are good.
Ruud do you see the image in your head before you start drawing it?
Or do you think it through while drawing it?
I cannot imagine a whole human face in my head. Let alone know
what if would look like from different angles or with enough detail to
be able to draw it.
Bemmu
> Including a few tips on how I start drawing.
> http://www.marketgraph.nl/gallery
Yikes.
Those pictures are the "no way, nobody can draw like that" -kind of
pictures.
I spend most of my time programming, but sometimes I get bored and start
to scribble something on the paper where I should really be designing a
program...
Mostly cartoonish, but occassionally I freeze a frame on video when I see
someone really pretty and try to regenerate that image on paper - usually
with
bad results. I've managed to draw Natalie Imbruglia once and the resulting
image actually looked human :).
Ruud van Gaal
>> frazer colour me impressed
>
>Ruud van Gaals images are good.
Thanks :)
>Ruud do you see the image in your head before you start drawing it?
>Or do you think it through while drawing it?
I use photographs while drawing, so it's not from the head,
unfortunately.
I notice that when I imagine the bone structure a bit, or the flow of
the skin, it is easier (and faster) to draw more lifelike. If shadows
don't fall right, it just has a bad look.
And you now & then need to put the picture away for a while, and then
look at it from a greater distance, so you notice the overall shape
and FEEL instead of the 'missing lines from under the eye' so to say
:)
>I cannot imagine a whole human face in my head. Let alone know
>what if would look like from different angles or with enough detail to
>be able to draw it.
The angle thing is closely related to knowing what a face is composed
of. I haven't really done it, but it should be good to practice the
eyes for example at different angles. I just don't draw that much, I
want the results too bad I guess. I think I'm too perfectionistic
actually and would like to be able to do more 'live' drawing, not the
5 hours or so I spent with the photograph drawing.
Every head has different proportions and I don't think it is easy to
remember them all; it's better to have the subject at hand to measure
and look.
Danny McCallum
Your can always go up to strange women and ask," Can I draw you naked"?
When they say,"no" ask them," would you say yes if I wore clothes"?(LOL)
in all seriousness go to a crowded cafe and draw the people you see,the
practice and exposure will be usefull.
Bemmu wrote:
>
> I often draw faces, but they always end up male.
> Well recently I've tried to look at people and understand what
> makes a face look like male or female.
> Can anyone think of anything to add to my list of female properties?
> - smaller chin
> - thinner eyes
> - thicker eyelashes
> - gentler nose
> - generally a smaller head
> - usually more hair
>
> So now I've tried to give some attention to these and managed to
> draw up figures that actually resemble females. Even though it gives
> me pain not being able to repeat on paper the beautiful faces
> of some people I've seen.
>
> I often end up noticing that the for examle the eyes aren't positioned
> correctly or they differ from eachother in size or shape. Or then the
> entire head is of the wrong shape and looks deformed. How should I go
> about preventing these errors from happening?
>
> And where should I start when drawing a human face?
>
> --
> Mikko "Bemmu" Sepponen | www.bemmu.com | BBS +358-3-3183424
--
-----------------------------------------------------
Click here for Free Video!!
http://www.gohip.com/freevideo/
Betty Cunningham
I appreciate hearing nice things about my work as much as anybody; now
that I'm the boss type it just doesn't happen anymore.
-Betty
--
arfuh
wrote:
>> frazer colour me impressed
>
>Ruud van Gaals images are good.
I just had a peek...yeah they're nice, very good likenesses (but
we know how that's done now dodn't we?) although I'm more of a
fan of marks and lines than the soft edge stuff Ruud does. That's
what I dug about Betty's work, 'cos the construction was in
evidence, all the loose lines left in despite being integrated so
well...shall I stick in a link to MY pencil drawings? Oh all
right then, but I warn it's nothing like any of your lot...these
are sketches for working drawings and therefore have a distinct
rough look to them.
http://www.irvingfrazer.freeserve.co.uk/pencil.html
>Ruud do you see the image in your head before you start drawing
it?
>Or do you think it through while drawing it?
>
>I cannot imagine a whole human face in my head. Let alone know
>what if would look like from different angles or with enough
detail to
>be able to draw it.
Interesting point. Personally I need to "see" the images before I
can draw them, otherwise I just go through the motions of
construction and it all looks shite...the vision is something
akin to inspiration in the sense that if I can see it I can be
enchanted by it and therefore want to draw it. And it helps if I
can visualise the proportions as well.
frazer
....
>
>--
>Mikko "Bemmu" Sepponen | www.bemmu.com | BBS +358-3-
We had an EMPIRE...
arfuh
are free of course, no service charge there. Best way to be I
reckon. Incidentally I'm my own boss, but I compliment myself ALL
the time mmm mmmm yessir.....
frazer you're so great
..
Betty Cunningham
and Windsor-Smith immediatly.
I love your color work especially- strong graphics images such as
Mignola's Hellboy or IronWolf work too.
Why the hell haven't I seen your work before?
-Betty Cunningham
> We had an EMPIRE...
> http://www.irvingfrazer.freeserve.co.uk
> * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet's Discussion Network *
> The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet - Free!
--
arfuh
mention artists whose work I've never senn or despise...actually
the Barry Windsor smith was spot on (he went to my old art skool
y'know) and Chaykin is a big influence even though I've only ever
seen a smidge of his work. The Kaluta and vess...actually I'm big
into Alphonse Mucha who I think I share an affection for with
those guys, as I don't really go in for either of their work.
What really blows my head up is when I gwt compared to berni
Wrightson. Doesn't happen much.
As to why you ain't seen my work...blame submission editors
(those freaks in chains and rags who are paid the princely sum of
one groat a year to open and return all submitted packes from
artists without ever even looking at them) at every magazine and
publisher world wide. Hmph. Only NOW am I getting work, and
that's due in part to email and my luvvly new computer...Next I
plan to usurp the infidels who are occupying my rightful
throne...better stop there I think.
Frazer the conqu
Ruud van Gaal
<firving...@irvingfrazer.freeserve.co.uk.invalid> wrote:
>In article <38E31321...@uta.fi>, Bemmu <lom...@uta.fi>
>wrote:
>>> frazer colour me impressed
>>
>>Ruud van Gaals images are good.
>
...
>well...shall I stick in a link to MY pencil drawings? Oh all
>right then, but I warn it's nothing like any of your lot...these
>are sketches for working drawings and therefore have a distinct
>rough look to them.
>http://www.irvingfrazer.freeserve.co.uk/pencil.html
Very cool stuff, much different from the style I use. Much more
emotional. Great drawings. More from the heart than my
photograph-copying-like style.
Warlock
<firving...@irvingfrazer.freeserve.co.uk.invalid> wrote:
>In article <38E31321...@uta.fi>, Bemmu <lom...@uta.fi>
>wrote:
>>> frazer colour me impressed
>>
>>Ruud van Gaals images are good.
>
>I just had a peek...yeah they're nice, very good likenesses (but
>we know how that's done now dodn't we?) although I'm more of a
>fan of marks and lines than the soft edge stuff Ruud does. That's
>what I dug about Betty's work, 'cos the construction was in
>evidence, all the loose lines left in despite being integrated so
>well...shall I stick in a link to MY pencil drawings? Oh all
>right then, but I warn it's nothing like any of your lot...these
>are sketches for working drawings and therefore have a distinct
>rough look to them.
>http://www.irvingfrazer.freeserve.co.uk/pencil.html
>
Nice work, Frazer, your pencils kinda remind me of one Walt Simonson,
once upon a time a wizkid from this side of the pond who unfortunately
doesn't do many comics anymore. Anyway, you have a style similar to
his but one that's still unique. (You could never work at Image, I'm
afraid!) :)
--Hugh
Marcus Gray
<ru...@marketgraph.nl> writes
>On Thu, 30 Mar 2000 11:56:28 -0800, arfuh
><firving...@irvingfrazer.freeserve.co.uk.invalid> wrote:
>
>>In article <38E31321...@uta.fi>, Bemmu <lom...@uta.fi>
>>wrote:
>>>> frazer colour me impressed
>>>
>>>Ruud van Gaals images are good.
>>
>>well...shall I stick in a link to MY pencil drawings? Oh all
>>right then, but I warn it's nothing like any of your lot...these
>>are sketches for working drawings and therefore have a distinct
>>rough look to them.
>>http://www.irvingfrazer.freeserve.co.uk/pencil.html
>
>emotional. Great drawings. More from the heart than my
>photograph-copying-like style.
>
>
>Ruud van Gaal
>MarketGraph / MachTech: http://www.marketgraph.nl
>Art: http://www.marketgraph.nl/gallery
Some beautiful work from both you guys. I wish I was more skilled with
the pencil. With just with sketches (something I should do more often)
but with finished work.
Anyway, who here carries and uses a sketchbook? Do you find it
beneficial for your work?
Not a lot but some sketches-
http://www.cyberart.demon.co.uk/Cyberart4/WebPages/sketches.htm
--
Marcus Gray
Betty Cunningham
image!
-Betty
Marcus Gray wrote:
> Some beautiful work from both you guys. I wish I was more skilled with
> the pencil. With just with sketches (something I should do more often)
> but with finished work.
>
> Anyway, who here carries and uses a sketchbook? Do you find it
> beneficial for your work?
>
> Not a lot but some sketches-
> http://www.cyberart.demon.co.uk/Cyberart4/WebPages/sketches.htm
> --
> Marcus Gray
--
Warlock
>Some beautiful work from both you guys. I wish I was more skilled with
>the pencil. With just with sketches (something I should do more often)
>but with finished work.
>
>Anyway, who here carries and uses a sketchbook? Do you find it
>beneficial for your work?
>
>Not a lot but some sketches-
>http://www.cyberart.demon.co.uk/Cyberart4/WebPages/sketches.htm
Yeah, real nice stuff there, and I also liked the Mermaid-type
drawing-- kinda like Aeon Fluxx meets H.R. Geiger. ;-} And I liked the
Mata Hari-type drawing , too (the second one down)...looks to be ink
and wash? Really good.
--Hugh
Illustration
--<>http://home.earthlink.net/~warlock/index.html
arfuh
pix, man. Like to see that you draw fantasy girls well...I see
many out there who lack the neccassary knowledge to pull it off
and create monster man/women things, but yours are quite
tasty.....and sketchbooks: who carry's them? Not me. I'd get my
head kicked in around here if I started drawing things I liked.
There's some strange people about...
Frazer the wary
..
Avi Katz
> > Anyway, who here carries and uses a sketchbook? Do you find it
> > beneficial for your work?
I never use a sketchbook, 'cause it sticks you with all the bad drawings. I
always carry a folder with loose paper though. Then I can throw out half,
and keep the ones I like. My favorite place is the bus, if I'm lucky I grab
the place behing the driver that faces back and I have the greatest possible
collection of models. Over the years I have built up a collection of
thousands of faces, which I can go through when I need a character for an
illustration. Drawing without getting caught, and despite the
jiggling...well, that's the sport.
Warlock
wrote:
I don't use one either, although I probably should, it could only
help. I've just never been one of these guys who likes to have a
pencil in their hand 24/7 or they go crazy. I do like looking at other
peoples' sketchbooks, though. Steve Rude has a really nice one out as
does one from Bill Sienkiewicz. I still haven't gotten the one by Neal
Adams yet, but I should, as Neal's one of my faves.
--Hugh
Marcus Gray
<war...@earthlink.net> writes
>
>>Some beautiful work from both you guys. I wish I was more skilled with
>>the pencil. With just with sketches (something I should do more often)
>>but with finished work.
>>
>>beneficial for your work?
>>
>>http://www.cyberart.demon.co.uk/Cyberart4/WebPages/sketches.htm
>
>
>Yeah, real nice stuff there, and I also liked the Mermaid-type
>drawing-- kinda like Aeon Fluxx meets H.R. Geiger. ;-} And I liked the
>Mata Hari-type drawing , too (the second one down)...looks to be ink
>and wash? Really good.
>
Thanks,
It's more Aeon Fluxx meets meets Alphonse Mucha. Having said
that, I'll take anything that looks cool, bung it in the mixer, churn it
about a bit and throw it up.
You can look at (another shameless plug) my other stuff at-
http://www.cyberart.demon.co.uk
--
Marcus Gray
arfuh
one page...I like your girls, man, very tasy.....I was going to
try something like that soo, so don't think I'm ripping you off
or nowt....
And I hereby pass the motion that you are NOT allowed to be
humble on this ng anymore. "I wish I was better with a pencil.."
pah. If I like it it MUST be good...
Frazer the Bitch