How to Draw a Nose

 

 

In this article, we will look at the basics that will be useful for drawing a nose. So, the practical side of today's topic is that by using a small mirror, you can very easily observe your own!

 

The nose is obviously a central part of the face, it can give it a very distinctive look and character, and its representation will be closely tied to your style. Sometimes it will be almost non-existent, just defined by the nostrils and a line, other times it can be the major element of the drawing... It's up to you to decide, but it is important, regardless of the graphic choices you make, that you understand the basics of the nose's structure.

 

 

 

 

STUDY OF ANATOMY FOR DRAWING

 

So the nose rests on a bony protrusion, which forms the top of the nasal bridge (green line), and the rest will be made up of cartilage (which is why the tip of your nose is flexible!). As a result, studying the skull doesn't particularly help us, you might say...

 

 

 

 

It should be noted, however, that the nose is positioned in the middle of the face and that the rest of the elements are constructed symmetrically around it (orange axis). Also, remember that it is primarily through your nostrils that you breathe, so avoid making the nostrils too small and narrow in a drawing that is even slightly realistic.

 

Finally, the start of the nose is placed at the top of the limit of the eye sockets (blue arrow). Once the skull is covered with flesh, the start of the nose can be placed at the level of the gaze, just below the eyebrows.

 

 

 

 

THE DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE NOSE

 

So that we have no doubt and understand each other well, here's a small diagram with the basic lexical elements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE BASICS OF NOSE DRAWING

 

We're going to simplify our topic. So, pay attention here, I'm assuming that the rest of the face is a flat plane, which is obviously not the case!

 

So we have in green the ridge of the nose which starts between the eyes, at the level of the upper eyelids.

The top of the ridge is very thin, watch out if the nose is too fine... it means no breathing!

At the tip of the nose, the underside tilts back towards the face, and on this area (blue), the nostrils are positioned. The folds of the philtrum should then be placed adjoining them. This blue area is "under" the nose, bear this in mind for your shading.

 

 

 

 

In the middle diagram, we add in red the slightly round fleshy parts of the nose wings, above the nostrils, as well as the tip of the nose. The tip of the nose will be fairly round, pronounced and voluminous. Depending on the noses, and the styles, it will be more or less discernible.

The third diagram includes all the parts.

 

 

 

 

NOSE DRAWINGS IN FRONT VIEW, 3/4 AND PROFILE

 

 

 

 

 

First of all, as seen primarily from the front and ¾ views, you can connect the area at the top of the nose with the eyebrow line (dark green lines).

 

We notice that the root of the nose is placed at the level of the eyes (red lines).

In any case, the outline of the nose ridge (in light green) is really what forms the nose.

The nostrils in blue with the definition of the "round" volume of the nose wings.

 

I also mark the philtrum just to remind you that this element is indeed a continuation of the nose.

 

 

 

 

 

STUDY OF NOSTRILS FRONT, 3/4 AND PROFILE

We will now look more closely at the bottom of the nose. In the 3 views, the ridge line is highlighted in green.

 

 

At the nostril level: the area shaded in blue is located "under" the nose and the area shaded in red is the part of the nose wings that forms a fleshy part "above" the nostrils. In the context of realistic drawing, you will need to remember this for your shading and volumetric rendering.

 

It is also noted that the wings, on the exteriors, form a small depression, in dark green / indicated by the arrows.

 

 

 

 

 

THE DIFFERENT NOSE VARIATIONS

 

Beyond styles, there is an entire range of variations in nose shapes that need to be considered according to different ethnicities.

 

 

 

The position of the top of the nose will be found at the level of the gaze, and the eyebrow line extends into the line above this (red lines).

The edges (in green) will be marked and defined to varying degrees, and even the thickness of the nose will vary. The nostrils (in blue) will also be more or less developed and of different shapes.

 

 

Finally, a small exercise to do when creating a character, you can keep the same face base and apply different noses.

In the following drawings, only the noses will be changed.

 

 

 

Here in [1] a fairly classic nose, in [2] I mark the bony "bump" at the top of the nose a bit more, in [3] the tip of the nose is more pronounced and developed, as well as the nostrils, and in [4] I bend the edge a bit with a fairly fine tip.

 

 

 

 

 

DRAWING A NOSE STEP BY STEP

 

So it makes sense, but there is no nose without a face. I encourage you to check out the article on how to draw a man's face, which might interest you ;)

So I will not elaborate on the construction of the rest of the face. We will start working on a drawing of a woman in a ¾ view.

First, we shape the face. I place the central axis (in green) of the face, to guide me in the symmetry of the construction. I place the eyes and eyebrows.

 

 

 

 

From the eyebrows, I draw a line that goes down to the base of the root (in blue). From the root, I start to trace the ridge. The base of the nose is at the level of the eyes (red line), so it's all good.

 

 

 

I continue the bridge of the nose and form the tip, which is slightly round. I go up slightly at the end of the line.

 

 

 

I form the "underside" of the nose, with the curve of the nostril.

 

 

 

I finish my nose by drawing the curve of the nostril wing (in red). In blue we see the nostril wing on the other side. In pink, the philtrum, continuing seamlessly from the line.

 

 

 

I shape the lips taking into consideration the philtrum and the vertical axis.

 

 

 

I'm cleaning up my sketch a bit. The axis of symmetry has been well maintained.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

APPLYING COLOR TO THE DRAWING

 

We will color in grayscale to clearly see the different parts. The light comes from the front, left side. I start by coloring the hair, eyebrows, eyes and lips.

 

 

 

I shade the face, except for the nose. I'm shading the neck, cheeks, eyes, forehead and philtrum.

 

 

 

 

I shade the "length" of the nose (cross-hatched red) and this gives most of the volume to the nose. Be careful, if you place your shadow too close to the edge line, your nose will appear too thin. Remember to maintain a minimum width to the nose, otherwise your character won't be able to breathe! I shade the "bottom" of the nose and the depression at the edge of the wing's curve.

 

 

 

 

I'm enhancing the shadow of the nostril and the hollow above the curve of the wing.

 

 

The result is simple, but if you master this foundation, you will be able to produce accurate drawings quickly.

See later on if you want more realism or details, or even simplify everything further to match your style more closely.

 

 

Points to remember.

 

To give character to your nose you can play with different elements:

 

• the line of the ridge of the nose, straight, humped, etc...
  
  
• the tip of the nose, discreet, marked or voluminous,
  
  
• the nostrils, more or less developed, with thin or thick wings.

 

 

 

Remember that, apart from style modifications, the nose should not be too narrow, like the nostrils which must be well defined.

 

 

 

Illustrator and writer: Elo Illus