Drawing a Self-Portrait

Practice proportion in this art lesson: drawing a self-portrait.

🎨 Studio Brief #1

Study your reflection in a mirror and draw what you see.

🎯 Your mission

Don't erase. Sketch over until it sings.

⚡ The twist

Don't lift the pencil until you're done.

What you'll learn

Study your reflection in a mirror and draw what you see. Notice the proportions of your face: eyes are roughly halfway down the head, and the mouth is between the nose and chin. Use light lines first, then add detail and shading.

Get ready

Techniques you'll practise

proportioncontour drawingshading

You will need

Drawing paperErasers

Step 1 of 5

Set up a mirror at eye level and look at your face carefully for one full minute.

Step 2 of 5

Lightly sketch an oval for the head shape. Draw a horizontal line halfway down for the eye line.

Step 3 of 5

Add eyes, nose, and mouth using your guide lines. Compare distances constantly.

Step 4 of 5

Draw your hair, ears, and neck. Add shading under the chin and nose to show depth.

Step 5 of 5

Erase guide lines and darken your final contours. Sign your self-portrait.

Did you know?

🤯 Mind = Blown

🤯 Drawing the same thing twice usually makes the second one better — and the third one weirder.

🌟 Artist Spotlight

🎨 Quentin Blake (the Roald Dahl illustrator) drew with just one continuous line.

You did it!

Next: Still Life With Fruit All lessons

🎯

Next Smart Project

We'll pick an art project that matches exactly where your skills are right now.

✨ More to explore

🌍 Where you see this: Every comic, animation, and architecture started with a quick sketch.

🏆 Try this week: Draw the same object three times this week — once a day, slower each time.

👨‍👩‍👧 At dinner: “Show me your sketch. What's the part you'd do differently next time?”

📚Share card

Share this art project

Send it to a parent looking for a 15-minute screen-free creative win.

Drawing a Self-Portrait

Techniques you'll practise

You will need

Next Smart Project

Share this art project

Drawing a Self-Portrait

Done with art? Try something else

Your Cart (0)