How to Draw a Head Outline: Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to bring your characters to life? This guide is perfect for budding artists ages 6 and up who want to master the basics of facial structure. Grab a pencil, an eraser, and a sheet of paper to start building your portrait skills with this simple, confidence-boosting exercise.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

A clean, professional head outline drawing perfect for beginners.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Eye

Close-up sketch of a single eye with a pupil and V-shaped eyelid outline.

Start by drawing a sideways “V” for the eye socket. Add a partial oval inside with a smaller circle for the pupil. Teacher's Tip: Keep the pupil dark and bold to give your character an expressive, focused look.

Step 2: Defining the Brow and Forehead

Drawing showing the addition of an eyebrow and the start of the forehead curve.

Contour the eyelid with a soft curve. Above it, draw a blunt, pointed eyebrow shape. Add a curved line in front to start the forehead. Teacher's Tip: Use a light touch here; the forehead should look smooth and rounded.

Step 3: Shaping the Nose

Sketch illustrating the bridge of the nose and a simple nostril curve.

Extend the forehead line downward to form the bridge of the nose. Add a small, squiggly “S” shape for the nostril. Teacher's Tip: Don't over-detail the nose; a simple curve is often enough for a clean cartoon style.

Step 4: Drawing the Mouth and Jaw

Step showing the mouth, chin, and jawline construction.

Draw a gentle smile line below the nose, then add a small dash for the mouth corner. Continue the line to enclose the lips, chin, and jaw. Teacher's Tip: Make the chin slightly rounded to give the face a friendly, approachable look.

Step 5: Sketching the Hairline

Illustration of the hair outline and hairline details.

Use a long, sweeping curve for the back of the head and shorter, varied strokes for the front hairline. Teacher's Tip: Vary the length of your hair strokes to make the hair look natural and textured rather than like a solid block.

Step 6: Adding the Ear

Draw the ear using a curved line, adding inner contours and sideburns in front. Teacher's Tip: The top of the ear usually aligns with the eyebrow, and the bottom with the nose—use this as a guide for placement!

Step 7: Refining Details and Neck

Step showing the addition of ear details and the neck structure.

Add two curved lines inside the ear for detail. Sketch more hair at the back and extend lines down for the neck. Teacher's Tip: Keep the neck lines parallel to give the head a sturdy, balanced look.

Step 8: Adding the Shirt Collar

Drawing showing the addition of a shirt collar.

Use gentle curves to draw the rectangular collar and the back of the shirt. Teacher's Tip: Ensure the collar sits comfortably around the neck lines you just drew.

Step 9: Final Touches

Final line art showing hair texture and completed collar.

Add texture to the hair with short curved lines and complete the other side of the shirt collar. Teacher's Tip: Use a darker pencil for these final lines to make your drawing pop!

Step 10: Color Your Portrait

Completed and colored portrait of a head outline.

Your head outline is complete! Now, bring it to life with your favorite colors. Teacher's Tip: Try using light skin tones and darker shades for the hair to add depth.