Drawing ¾ View Portraits

Drawing the face at different angles!

Emily Valenza, 2015

We see the head turned

slightly to the side in a 3/4

view.

It’s very similar to the steps of

drawing a frontal face!

1. Choose the position of

the face

You can see how the

face is angled by looking

at the chin and the

vertical lines of the face

2. Draw a basic outline

for the face shape

The indent you see on

the left side is made by

the brow ridge, ocular

cavity and cheekbone.

3. Draw a curved vertical line

for the midpoint of the face

(nose line)

Now draw a curved horizontal

line for the midpoint of the face

(eyeline)

You should curve these lines

towards the indent side of the

face.

4. Measure a thumb

width from the center

line to find where to

place the first eye.

Add the second eye so

it fits in the space

between the edge of

the face and the center

line.

5. Start an arch shape

for the eyebrow above

the smaller eye, then

swoop it down along

the middle line to

create the nose.

Add a second eyebrow!

6. Draw lines down from

the center of each eye to

find the width of the mouth.

Draw the line that is formed

when the lips rest against

each other.

Draw each lip. The pilthrum

will be on the center line.

7. Draw horizontal

lines from the

eyebrows and nose

to find the length of

the ear, then draw an

ear!

8. Swoop lines towards the

“ear” side of the face to

create a neck shape.

9. Add extra lines for

details like:

- irises and pupils

- eyelids

- nostrils

- the folds of the ear

- outline of the hair

10. Observe where

shadows usually form:

- under eyebrows

- the side of the nose

- next to the nostril

- inside the ear

- under the jawline

- on the top lip

- under the bottom lip

Pay attention to the hair

texture you’re drawing!

Here are a few examples:

These rules are helpful, but the most

important skill you can practice is

observation:

● Look carefully in the mirror or at your model. Note the exact

shape of the face, eyes, nose, lips and ears.

● What is unique about the person that you see? Glasses?

Braces? An awesome hairstyle?

● Make sure to add these details to achieve a likeness.

Drawing Expressions