Draw Your Self-Portrait

 

In this article, we are going to show you how to perform a rather complicated exercise that many people dread: drawing your self-portrait. The advantage of this exercise is that if it fails, you'll only offend yourself and no one else...

 

For this article, I will not be drawing myself as it would be pointless since you need to draw yourself.

Instead, I will explain the different methods that exist to create your self-portrait as faithfully as possible, as well as the various steps to follow.

Before starting your self-portrait, I recommend you practice drawing portraits of other people. Practice as much as possible on faces other than your own, whether it's drawing from photos or from observation.

The more faces you draw, the more comfortable you will be drawing yourself.

 

 

 

 

If you feel ready, we can get started. If you get stuck, don't hesitate to stop your drawing and come back to it later. When you spend too much time on a drawing, you tend not to see anything anymore and make mistakes. Take regular breaks and remind yourself that your drawing won't be done in 5 minutes (unless you are doing short drawing sessions).

 

Finally, note that this article is aimed at both traditional illustrators (pencils, markers, pens, etc.) and digital artists. The method is the same, only the tool changes.

Use whichever tool you are most comfortable with.

 

If you're ready, let's get started...

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT IS A SELF-PORTRAIT?

 

A self-portrait is simply a portrait of the artist themselves. It can be pictorial (drawing, photo, etc.) or literary (autobiography).

The portrait represents the artist's vision of themselves. It can be very faithful or completely different from reality.

Generally, all artists make at least one self-portrait, but some have specialized in this field, using it as a way to express their emotions.

Notable examples are Frida Kahlo, Van Gogh, and Rembrandt, but also Picasso and many other artists who have made it a specialty and recounted their lives and experiences through self-portraits.

 

You could even say that the self-portrait is the ancestor of the selfie...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

METHODS FOR DRAWING A SELF-PORTRAIT

 

 

You have two choices before you... A photo or a mirror.

Here is a table that summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of the two methods.

 

 

 

Choose whichever method best suits you as I'm going to talk about both...

 

 

 

 

SELF-PORTRAIT METHOD: THE PHOTO

 

 

 

 

 

By choosing this method, you will have a photo of yourself that you will need to draw.

You can either draw from sight, simply by looking at the photo, or by using the grid method.

 

I have already written an article about using the grid method to draw, but let me give you a little reminder...

 

You draw a grid either directly on your photo or on a tracing/transparent paper that you overlay on your photo.

You reproduce the same grid on your drawing sheet.

Warning! The two grids must be completely identical or it will alter the proportions of your drawing!

Once you have your two sheets ready, you just need to transfer the elements from the photo onto your blank sheet using the grid for assistance.

 

 

 

 

 

The more lines your grid has, the more precise you can be. So, if you are a beginner, do not hesitate to draw quite a few lines, but not too many so that you can still easily see the photo. Another tip for beginners is that there is an article on 5 Easy Drawings to Create available on our blog, don't hesitate to check it out! It explains how to create simple drawings, such as a black cat, a dragon, a kawaii cloud, etc. ;)

Using this method, you will easily be able to create your self-portrait.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SELF-PORTRAIT METHOD: THE MIRROR

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are brave, you can choose the mirror method.

To create a portrait with a mirror, you need to be in a well-lit room.

If you can, have some lights that directly illuminate your face and create interesting shadows.

Position yourself at a table with a support that you can tilt towards you.

You can draw flat on a table, but it will be more complicated.

Finally, place a mirror in front of you so that you can look at yourself without having to move.

It's even better if you have an easel because you can position yourself in front of a mirror with your paper tilted straight ahead of you.

 

 

 

 

Once you are well positioned, all you have to do is draw what you see...

Now you are facing your mirror, your pencil in hand, ready to draw yourself, but here's the thing, you don't know where to start...

First, observe yourself!

Look at the smallest details of your face, the elements that stand out, that are unique, the different features of your face.

Observe the shape of your face. A face is not just round, it's an oval with a more or less square shape depending on the individual. I invite you to check out our article to learn how to draw a man's face, which talks about proportions, if you haven't already done so!

 

What are your eyes like? And your eyebrows?

What size is your forehead? Is your nose upturned? Round? Aquiline?

Do you have a mole or glasses?

 

All the details are important because they are what will make your portrait recognizable.

So make sure to draw them well! Missing a mole can change everything.

Once you've memorized the features of your face, choose a pose that suits you. Make sure to keep it simple...

Then strike the pose, memorize it, and draw it.

 

Feel free to take breaks. Put down your pencil and observe your drawing and your face in turn.

Remember to look at other things from time to time. When you stare at a drawing for too long, you can no longer see the flaws.

Think of having an expression, don't be afraid of looking ridiculous, after all, you are not drawing in front of an audience!

An expressive drawing will be more enjoyable to do than a neutral face, and if it's your own expression, you'll be more easily recognized.

 

A little advice: at the start, avoid drawing yourself from the front. A frontal face is always difficult to draw. Instead, try drawing yourself at a 3/4 angle, it will be simpler and more interesting!

 

 

 

 

 

Now that you are well positioned and confident in your lighting and pose, you can finally start drawing!

About time!

 

To start, I recommend making a quick sketch.

Without pressing down with your pencil, start by sketching the overall shape of your face, then quickly place the nose and mouth.

Continue with the eyebrows, then the eyes.

Once you have made a rough sketch of your face (WITHOUT pressing hard), linger on it to correct any inaccuracies.

Observe the details and features of your face.

Avoid drawing wrinkles if you are young. Overly pronounced wrinkles tend to age a person. For expression lines, you should create them with shadows and lights.

 

When your face looks good to you, you can continue, but always without pressing down with the pencil! Keep your strokes light.

 

Continue by drawing the ears, neck, and shoulders.

Finally, finish with the hair.

 

Once your sketch is finished and you are satisfied with it, you can go over certain lines again.

Accentuate features that are in the foreground like the outline of the lips, nose, eye contours, and some strands of hair.

As for the other lines, keep them thin and light. A difference in thickness and shade will add life to your drawing.

 

Once the outlines are complete, you can finish with the shadows and highlights.

If you are a beginner, don't overdo it and only include the most noticeable shadows.

To do this, squint your eyes to blur your vision.

This will make only the most important shadows and lights stand out.

 

 

 

 

 

Now you have finished your self-portrait!

There's only one way to know if you were successful... Show it to those around you and ask if they recognize you ;)

Creating a self-portrait is a very difficult task, even more so than drawing someone else.

We are forced to scrutinize and judge ourselves, to accept our qualities, but especially our flaws.

This is not an easy thing, but by doing the exercise several times, you will be able to memorize your face and draw yourself without a mirror or photo.

Feel free to have short drawing sessions. Do lots of self-portraits in 5 minutes and without an eraser.

Not only will this help you practice portraiture, but it will also train you to draw more quickly and lose the reflex to erase.

 

 

 

Illustrator and writer: Coralie