Step by Step

The first step is to choose a model and the easiest portrait to draw when you are starting out is yourself using a mirrior. The next best option is someone esle who wants to practice drawing a portrait step by step. Doing a self portrait is always good because your model is always looking up at you when you need to see their face.

These self portraits were drawn by a Gr 4 and Gr 3 students      
in one of my classes.They carefully followed the steps in this     
lesson. After sketching they completed expressionist pastel     
works of Art.     

Use an A4 sheet of paper and mark in from the edge, in the middle of all 4 sides, about 2 centimeters in the middle of each side. This will give you the boundaries of your egg shape.  Oval and round but slightly elongated.	Then turn your page so you can pivot your hand from the wrist like a compass arm. Keep turning your page so that your hand can pivot and make a smooth arc for the inside of each quarter of the egg shape.
Next you need to mark in a light vertical center line. You can find the centre by spanning your thumb and finger to where you think half way is, place a light mark and then test with your span the distance on the other side of your mark...	Then use the same method to find half way along your vertical line and mark in a horizontal line. Let your horizontal line have a slight curve.

best model you draw when you are starting out is yourself