Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
present
HOW TO
DRAW A
PICTURE
FROM A
PHOTO:
A Free Portrait Tutorial
HOW TO DRAW A PICTURE FROM A PHOTO
This content has been abridged from an original article written by Sandra Angelo. This premium has been published by Interweave Press, 201 E. Fourth St., Loveland, CO 80537-5655; (970) 669-7672.
Copyright 2009 by Interweave Press, a division of Aspire Media, all rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced either in whole or in part without consent of the copyright owner.
2 www.artistsnetwork.com
HOW TO DRAW A PICTURE FROM A PHOTO
Rachael
2002, graphite, 11 x 812.
Collection the artist.
For this demonstration, I took a black-and-white photo of the Working from hard to soft graphite pencils, I drew the lines of the hair in varying
model and made a contour drawing of the major shapes within lengths. Following the three-dimensional form of the head, I worked up to a rich,
the hair on a sheet of two-ply, plate-finish paper. dark tone near the forehead and around the bun.
D
rawing from pho- may find that likeness resides in the
tographs has its
advantages and
mouth. But many beginners are filled
with trepidation at tackling the most Have the right
disadvantages. De-
ciding whether to
changeable, finely detailed, and idio-
syncratic feature of a person: the hair.
tools for the job
draw from life or Shiny, silky, smooth, frizzy, wavy,
from photographic kinky. A persons hair is as individual You could use a tablespoon to measure
reference should be a matter of choos- as his or her facial features. Both the a teaspoon full of liquid, but why risk
ing the practical path. Drawing from style and texture speak volumes about pouring too much or too little? Its al-
life will allow an artist to see a fuller someones age, personality, social sta- ways better to choose the right tool for
value range than what can be observed tus, and history. But many artists over- the job at hand. Thats as true in draw-
in a photograph, while drawing from a look that important aspect of a sitters ing as it is in cooking.
photograph of a child, say, rather than appearance and individuality in record- I recommend buying at least six
asking the child to pose, can make a ing what I call a personality portrait. graphite pencils, ranging in degrees of
difficult task much more manageable. They scribble lines, rub tones, and fill softness from an HB to a 9B, as well as
A lot of artists concentrate on the in shapes after theyve completed the an F. My favorite brands are European,
eyes when starting a portrait. Some face, hoping no one will notice that the because they yield a much wider range
concern themselves with the gen- hair looks more like a floppy hat pulled of values. Yes, you could use the yellow
eral shape of the head, while others tightly over the head. No. 2 pencil in your desk drawer, but
3 www.artistsnetwork.com
HOW TO DRAW A PICTURE FROM A PHOTO
Sadie
by Cindy Long,
2003, graphite on
cold-pressed Bristol
board, 1412 x 1112.
Collection the artist.
4 www.artistsnetwork.com
HOW TO DRAW A PICTURE FROM A PHOTO
This demonstration shows how to draw hair with an awareness that the lines flow I practiced drawing strands of hair, making sure they varied in
over and around a three-dimensional form, and how the position of the light source weight and length. The circled areas show how unnatural the hair
(at upper left) affects the placement of light and dark lines. looks if the lines end abruptly or if all lines end in the same place.
you will struggle to get the deep, rich for removing lines completely.
darks and the soft, light tones that are
easy to create with artists pencils.
The surface I prefer is a plate-finish,
100% cotton, pure-white drawing paper Where Do
Artists erasers are also a must be-
cause, unlike the pink eraser at the end
sold in 11-x-14 spiral-bound pads. I
also have one pad with thin, one-ply pa-
I Begin?
of a writing pencil, they wont damage per that I take along when traveling or
the paper surface or leave ugly marks. I sitting in a doctors office, and another I encourage beginners to learn by copy-
use a kneaded eraser for lifting graph- pad that contains a heavier, two-ply pa- ing Old Master drawings, then progress
ite from paper, to soften an edge, or to per for studio work. to working from large photographic ref-
lighten a value. As the name implies, a If my drawings are going to be han- erences. The two advantages of copying
kneaded eraser can be pulled apart and dled by a lot of people, I spray them with Old Masters are that its easier to render
pushed back together like bread dough a light mist of Krylon workable fixative. from drawings, because you can see
to clean graphite from the eraser. I If they are going to a framer immediate- how materials were used, and because
also use a hand-held, battery-operated ly, to be placed under glass, I dont need you will always learn more from copy-
eraser for establishing sharp edges or to give them that protective coating. ing a great drawing than from duplicat-
5 www.artistsnetwork.com
HOW TO DRAW A PICTURE FROM A PHOTO
6 www.artistsnetwork.com
HOW TO DRAW A PICTURE FROM A PHOTO
Jenni
by James Wallace,
2003, graphite, 10 x 8.
ing the same set of squares in the grid characteristic of human hair.
on your drawing paper. Also observe
the width and height of the hair in rela-
It may seem that using a grid is a
cheaters way of drawing, but its actu- How Can I Make
tion to the face.
If you are struggling with accuracy,
ally a process artists have relied on for
centuries. Its a simple way of transfer-
it Look Real?
consider turning your reference and ring the major lines of a drawing and,
drawing paper upside down. Or place at the same time, either reducing or I recommend that beginners build up lay-
a piece of paper (with a 12 window enlarging the image. Furthermore, a ers of graphite from the lightest to the dark-
in it) over your reference, blocking ev- grid helps us understand that draw- est values, because students seem to have
erything except the information con- ing and painting depend on seeing the more confidence in progressing toward the
tained within a 12 square. That will abstract relationship of shapes, lines, intense darks rather than away from them.
force you to see abstract line and shape and values. Once you accept that prem- Following that idea, you should start draw-
relationships instead of working from ise and stop being intimidated by the ing the lightest highlights and work toward
preconceived notions about how the magnificence of Raphaels Madonna or the dark twists and folds in the subjects
subject should look. Once your line the intricacies of Aunt Gertrudes lace hair. Use your graphite pencils in numeri-
drawing is accurate, you are ready to blouse, youll be able to draw anything cal sequence, increasing the amount of
start filling in the contours with lines accuratelyincluding hair. pressure you apply to them as you build
7 www.artistsnetwork.com
HOW TO DRAW A PICTURE FROM A PHOTO
Hannah
Yes, practice is the only way to master any by Carrie Ballantyne, 2003, charcoal,
15 x 11. Private collection.
art form, be it music, dance, or fine and ap-
This charcoal portrait was done after the
plied art. Its especially important in draw- colored-pencil piece because Ballantyne
ing, which builds confidence, facilitates wanted to tackle the challenge of charcoal,
and because she wanted to execute a more
the motor coordination between eyes and accurate depiction of her daughtershe
hands, and increases an understanding of wasnt satisifed with certain parts of her
colored-pencil portrait. The process for both
how to depict specific subjects. Practice is drawings began with many photographs,
also a way of being sure of what youre do- which she developed in black and white
to allow her to gauge each one without
ing once youre in the middle of a drawing. being unduly influenced by color.
If you arent quite sure how to draw the
LEFT
next section, practice on a separate piece of
Shades of Gray
paper so you wont worry about ruining all by Carrie Ballantyne, 2002, colored
the good work youve done. pencil, 15 x 12. Private collection.
8 www.artistsnetwork.com
HOW TO DRAW A PICTURE FROM A PHOTO
t3FGFSFODFJNBHFTDBOCFFOMBSHFE
Photo References:
quickly and easily on a home printer. Three Common Mistakes
t7BMVFTDBOCFNPEJGJFEJOJNBHF 1. MISTAKE: LIMITED VALUE RANGE
manipulation software such as Light and dark values lend depth to
Photoshop to explore details difficult art. For example, subtle shadows
to view from traditional prints. indicate underlying anatomical struc-
t&WFOUIFQIPUPTIPPUJUTFMGQSPWJEFT tures such as bones or muscles. If
instant feedback. One can shoot your photo doesnt show detail, you
and immediately check the LCD cant draw or paint it. Subtleties are
monitor on the back of the camera often what make or break a likeness.
for any sign of double chins or SOLUTION: SHOOT WITH
dangling cellulite--and all but the VARIED LIGHT.
finest photos can be deleted. a. Shoot each picture with and
without the flash.
Yet even with modern inventions, b. Print several versions of your photo
artists need to avoid pitfalls that tBEBSLWFSTJPOUPTIPXEFUBJM
could otherwise force portraits into an in the light areas
uninspired mold, not unlike holding up tBNFEJVNFYQPTVSFQIPUPUP
a banal mirror in front of the sitter. show midtones
ta lightened photo to reveal
leries to stimulate your brain with trast, a good reference simply needs to This third frame was modified
in Photoshop. It was lightened
provocative ideas that may inspire offer the artist details about the sitter, significantly so that the details in
unusual costumes, backgrounds or his or her environment and costume. the dark areas would show up.
9 www.artistsnetwork.com
HOW TO DRAW A PICTURE FROM A PHOTO
ZZZZZ
by Sandra Angelo, 2003, 11x14.
I cropped out all extraneous information and
drew only what was needed to tell the story.
10 www.artistsnetwork.com
MORE RESOURCES
Visit the North Light Shop for these titles!
CONNECT WITH US