How to Draw a Face: Simple Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Ready to bring a character to life? This tutorial is perfect for artists ages 7 and up who want to master facial proportions. You will only need a pencil, an eraser, and a sheet of paper to get started. Follow along to build confidence in your portrait sketching skills.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

A high-quality, colorful illustration of a human face, serving as the featured guide image.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Eyes

Close-up sketch of two human eyes with detailed irises and pupils on white paper.

Start by drawing two almond-shaped outlines for the eyes. Add three circles inside each for the iris and pupil, then shade the top half of the iris. Tip: Keep your pencil pressure light so you can easily adjust the symmetry later.

Step 2: Brows and Nose Bridge

Drawing of eyebrows and the beginning of a nose bridge centered between the eyes.

Draw thick, arched eyebrows above the eyes to give your character expression. Then, sketch the bridge of the nose using two soft, curved lines. Tip: The nose bridge should start right between the inner corners of the eyes.

Step 3: Defining the Nose and Mouth

Detailed sketch showing the nose structure and a neutral mouth line.

Add the nostrils with small curves and draw a simple, straight line for the mouth. Use short, light strokes to define the lips. Tip: Don't over-draw the lips; a simple line often looks more natural for beginners.

Step 4: Shaping the Jawline

The outline of a face shape including the chin and cheeks.

Draw a smooth, continuous curve to create the chin and cheeks. Tip: Imagine the shape of a rounded 'U' to get the chin just right.

Step 5: Adding the Ears

Face outline with ears added to the sides.

Draw two curved shapes on the sides of the head for the ears. Add internal lines to show the ear's structure. Tip: Ears usually align with the top of the eyes and the bottom of the nose.

Step 6: Starting the Hairline

Adding the first layer of hair strands over the forehead.

Sketch overlapping curved lines across the forehead to create the hair. Let some lines meet at a point to form a natural-looking lock of hair. Tip: Hair isn't a solid block; draw individual strands to make it look realistic.

Step 7: Building Hair Volume

Adding more volume to the hair using layered curved lines.

Continue adding curved lines to build up the hair around the sides and top of the head. Tip: Vary the length of your lines to give the hair texture and volume.

Step 8: Finalizing the Hair

Finished hair outline with added texture lines.

Complete the hair outline by connecting the lines on top of the head. Add a few extra strokes for texture. Tip: Use a darker pencil for the final outline to make the hair pop.

Step 9: Drawing the Neck

Adding the neck to the completed face drawing.

Extend two curved lines down from the chin to form the neck. Add subtle shading lines to show the neck's curve. Tip: Keep the neck lines slightly narrower than the jawline for a natural look.

Step 10: Adding Color

A fully colored, realistic portrait of a person's face.

Your outline is finished! Now, use your favorite colors to bring your portrait to life. Tip: Use light skin tones first, then add darker shades to the edges of the face to create a 3D effect.