Drawing a Self-Portrait (Part 5)

Practice proportion in this art lesson: drawing a self-portrait (part 5).

🎨 Studio Brief #49

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

🎯 Your mission

Draw it slow. Then draw it again, faster.

⚡ The twist

Draw with your wrong hand for the first 30 seconds.

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

ErasersPencils (HB and 2B)Colored pencilsDrawing paper

Step 1 of 3

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

Step 2 of 3

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

Step 3 of 3

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

Did you know?

🤯 Mind = Blown

🤯 The pencil was invented over 400 years ago. Same idea ever since.

🌟 Artist Spotlight

🎨 Leonardo da Vinci filled 13,000+ pages of sketchbooks — most just curious doodles.

You did it!

Next: Still Life With Fruit (Part 5)All lessons

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✨ More to explore

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

🏆 Try this week: Sketch one thing in your house you've never really looked at before.

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

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Drawing a Self-Portrait (Part 5)

Techniques you'll practise

You will need

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Drawing a Self-Portrait (Part 5)

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