How to Draw People & Portraits

Faces are the subject most beginners want to draw — and the one where small errors show the most. These portrait lessons cover different ages and features, from a child’s round face to an older man’s lined skin and a full beard, so you can see how proportions change across a lifetime. Every lesson starts with simple construction lines to place the eyes, nose and mouth, then builds up hair and soft graphite shading in 12 short steps. If you’re new to portraits, start with the man’s face to learn standard adult proportions, then try the boy or the old man to see what changes. For the fundamentals behind all of them, read our guide to drawing faces for beginners.