How to start a pencil portrait without using an outline of features?

Question

I enjoy drawing head portraits in pencil, but I've found that sketching an outline of the prominent features often lead me astray. For example, due to shadows my eye is sometimes approximating the feature boundaries. This then impacts shading, and may lead to an amateurish feel and mean having to rework large portions of the piece.Most of the best portraits I've seen are not necessarily precise but instantly identifiable as the person and also capture their 'look'.Is there a better way to start the portrait than trying to capture the outline of the features? Should I be trying to plot the shadows/shapes or start in detail in one area and work out?

Answer 1

Start with 2 oval/circles that overlap. Where they intersect, this is eye level. Make a cross shape from top to bottom and from side to side (this is 2 lines). This can indicate forehead and cheek. On the line going across, make a triangular shape for nose which will help you locate a place for the mouth. Put a line for the mouth. Then use 2 triangles for the eyes on the line going across the circles. To locate the features, you are basically using geometric shapes, that you can develop into personal features. Using a sketchbook, draw mouths, eyes, noses, hair. Note the differences between male and female features. Practice, practice, practice.