I’ve been reflecting on all the ‘face work’ I’ve been doing lately. (No, I don’t mean the filler or botox type.) I mean studying portraits and faces.
Human faces are captivating - I just love looking at them. It blows my mind how so many humans have lived, and how many faces there have been, and will be. Isn’t that WILD?!!
I draw and paint myself regularly, as a way of noticing the subtle changes of the passing of time on my face. (Well, less subtle every year!)
I draw people I love from observation, to really SEE them. Do we even look at the people closest to us properly anymore? I love the sensitive lines that came out in this sketch.
Some days, I’m just in the mood to play with paint, so I’ll find a reference image online to work from. I love the graphic lines and bold colours of this one.
I drew these two guys, deep in meditation at a spiritual chanting event. It was quite an epic evening, and I can still feel the depth of the energy of the room when I look at these sketches.
Drawing friends can be nerve wracking, for fear of offending them with an unflattering render - but thankfully dear Raman approved of my observational drawing of her, whilst we sipped a fancy coffee in a hipster cafe in Brighton. She has a particularly lovely nose, I think!
Occasionally, in an online drawing session, I’ll try something that feels awkward, messy and ugly, but end up loving it.
The point is, I love drawing faces. Can you tell?
I’m drawing Live Tomorrow!
📆 Friday 23rd May 17:00 CET ‘Loose Lines & Warm Ups’ : Portraits 3.
Click to register.
I’ll be drawing live, for 30 minutes, warming up from reference images.
🖼️ Paid members – image references are in your inbox!
Access Project Portraits: (Paid)
📹 Theme 2.1 – Introduction to Portraits
📹 Theme 2.2 – The Brief
📹 Theme 2.3 – Inspiration from Books
📹 Theme 2.4 – Process
Plus all the previous drawing references for ‘Loose Lines & Warm Ups’ Lives.
What’s all this Project stuff about?!🎧 Listen here to find out more.
Any questions? Drop them in the comments!
Love your face drawings, Raj! Especially the blackwing ones. But I have an extra soft spot for pencil portraits at the moment, as you know.
I think of all the ways people draw faces, your’s are my favourites!