Hi Friends! Today I want to show you all how to draw faces! In this part we will focus on coloring in your face drawings. To learn the steps of drawing a basic face, check out part one on the blog here: https://www.rongrongdevoe.com/blog/how-to-draw-faces-part-1
Watch the video below for a 20 minute tutorial and read on for a list of steps on how to color your face illustration. All you need is colored pencils or markers and your sketch of a face from part one.
This is a skill that intimidates many people in the beginning of their art journey so I am here to help remedy that! All you need is a pencil, paper, markers or colored pencils, and an eraser!
The first thing to do is to lighten your pencil lines from your original drawings with an eraser. You don’t need the lines to be profound as they are just guides for your color. Erase to the point where only you can see the lines.
First Rule for Coloring:
Wherever you touch color, whether its hair or face or clothing, start with the lighter color. Build the color light -> medium -> dark. (If you want to see specific colors I use, watch the video)
Tips for Coloring the Hair:
I like to start with the hair when coloring.
Always use long strokes while coloring. It gives your art a smoother look.
Do the left and right side together (Don’t finish the hair, eyes, or anything on one side before doing the other. This can make them look unmatched.)
Make sure to fill in the hair from behind the head / neck.
Once your have the base lightest color on, move onto the medium color. Use this for shadows (hair behind the head). This adds more levels to your work and makes your drawings look more vivid. With the medium you should also darken the roots and can add a few longer dark streaks in the hair.
Finally add the darkest color. Close to the neck is the darkest. I have learned this from observing family and friends in real life - so I recommend really looking at your family and friends and what their hair and features look like to learn for your art. Also darken the part on the top of the hair.
Steps for Coloring the Face:
I tend to use two shades on the face. Like before, start with the lightest color and use long strokes. If the color feels too light a 2nd layer of the same color can help.
Apply a medium shade for shadows under the eyebrows, on the side of the nose, under the hair, under the nose, under the lips, the side of the mouth, under the chin on the neck, on the collar bones, and the shadow between skin and clothes.
Now onto eyes which are the most important to portraits. First pick your color, then use a fine brush pen to outline the eyes. When outlining the eyes, follow the pencil lines from earlier and use long strokes. Then you can add some eyelashes. Don’t forget to draw eyebrows!
Use the same brush pen to outline the nose and lips.
For the lips, pick your lip color then use a black brush pen to outline the middle of the lips. Then add just a tad bit of line under the lip. Never outline the upper or full lips as it looks more cartoonish.
Refine the face with your brush pen. Do this slow and steady because you can’t change it after the fact if you aren’t drawing digital.
Outline the hair wherever the hair and face connects. Add some natural strands of hair so it doesn’t come across stiff and too perfect. Now you can outline the shoulders and start working on the clothes.
To add a bit more depth you can use a white gel pen to add highlights to the eyes and lips.
Drawing and coloring faces is really all about practice. To keep improving your illustration skills, sign up for my course Fashion Illustration 101. In the course you will learn how to draw inspiring fashion illustrations and even make money from your art! It’s time to invest in your passions, learn more at: rongrongdevoe.com/fashion-illustration-course
Book Recommendations:
Steal Like an Artist - Austin Kleon
This book talks about how to combine your creativity with others and add your own spin on it. It covers why there are no new ideas and how to become a better artist buy standing on the shoulders of the greats.
Show Your Work - Austin Kleon
This book goes over how to get out of your own way with judging yourself and instead put your work out there to the world.
Art Inc. - Lisa Congdon
This is the essential guide to building your career as an artist. It goes over practical ways to monetize your art.
