Remi Engels

Pencil Portrait Drawing Tips on Facial Hair



Posted: Saturday, August 16, 2008

by
Remi's Arts

A mustache or a beard usually has lots of fullness. Therefore, it must be built up in layers. As with all feature in a pencil portrait, you need to look at facial hair in terms of shapes and not just in terms of outlines. The values are also of critical importance especially in relation to the values of the neighboring skin.

Here are a few clues that will help you become an expert in drawing decent mustache, beards, sideburns, and other varieties of facial hair:

* Values - Squint your eyes and take careful note of the overall value of the facial hair as compared to the surrounding skin. Is it lighter or darker or something in between? You should keep this overall average value in mind throughout the drawing process.

Also, check the extent of the mustache or beard. Is the entire upper lip covered by the mustache or is there a line of skin visible between the mustache and the mouth? In other words, get a good idea of the extent of the shapes involved. A drawing grid can be of great help with this.

* Growth - It is imperative that you render the growth lines of the facial hair correctly. Take a minute and look for the overall directions of the hair growth. Get a feel for the flow of the hair. Where are the breaks in the flow? How does a local direction of hair growth fit into the overall pattern?

While you concentrate on drawing a local shape, always be aware of the overall shape you are drawing. All this is critically important to obtain a good likeness.

* Layering - It is best to draw facial hair in layers, just like it grows in reality. This keeps your mustache or beard from looking flat or thin.

If necessary, you can put down one layer and use workable fixative before laying down the next layer.

Also, be aware of the underlying facial structure, otherwise the hair may look like it is pasted on. In other words, be aware of the peaks and valleys underneath the facial hair and note the how these structures are mirrored in the facial hair.

* Kneaded Eraser - The kneaded eraser is ideal to render the lighter values in facial hair. Shape the kneaded eraser into a point and lightly "draw" lighter lines into the darker valued areas of the facial hair. Very realistic renditions can be obtained with this technique.

* Close-up - Have a good look at a close-up of a mustache or some other facial hair. Notice how the hairs are ordered. Particularly, notice that some of the hairs are interwoven with others. It is important to reflect this in your drawing.

Note that generic-looking facial hair will make your drawing look artificial. Each individual has his or her own unique hair growth patterns. It becomes necessary to study these patterns, i.e., shape, fullness or thinness, values, growth patterns, underlying structure, etc. As always, practice makes perfect. Also remember, drawing hair must be done with a light, flowing touch, maybe using an F or HB pencil.

Remi Engels, Ph.D., is a pencil portrait artist and oil painter. He is also the author of a popular Pencil Portrait Drawing Course. Get Your Free copy here: Remi's Pencil Portrait Drawing Course while supplies last.

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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by Emma Ralph from New Zealand 2 years 8 days ago.
Facial hair is one area that I must admit I do find difficult. Even though I work in pastels, I've found your article to be really helpful and I certainly will try and adapt the techniques with my pastels.
 
Cheers - Emma
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