Project - Portraits in Perspective

Lesson by

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Project - Portraits in Perspective

Lesson by

Stan Prokopenko

in Drawing Basics

189K

Mark as Completed

Course In Progress

Assignments 730Lesson NotesDownloads 6

In this project we'll practice applying perspective to organic forms. Heads, while organic, adhere to the rules of perspective similar to boxy objects, so we'll start by constructing 3D heads. Look for clues of the angle of each axis such as angles from brow to ear, the vertical center line of the face, and the horizontal side to side angles of the features.

I've prepared a range of portrait photos for you to work with, that you could find in the downloads tab under the video. You'll notice each photo is numbered. Please label your drawings with the corresponding photo you're drawing to help me and the community give you a critique. Otherwise it would be very difficult to know which box matches each photo.

Level 1: Basic Box Construction

Draw a box representing a simplified version of each head.

Try to match the orientation and dimensions of the head in the photo
Rely on your intuition to imagine each head's rotation and dimensions
Iterative process: Redo and refine as needed

Level 2: Head Construction

Start with a small box representation of the head, same as Level 1. Then add linear head construction with accurate perspective.

Use primarily straight lines to draw, emphasizing plane changes
Find angles in the organic shape that correlate with the simple box (ex: top and back of the head)
Observe, analyze, then draw
Avoid drawing tiny heads; aim for at least 4 inches in height

Deadline: Submit by 1/15/2024 for a chance to be in the critique video!

Minerva D

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Hi! This project is really usefull, here's mi exercise.

Melanie Scearce

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Looking good @Minerva D! The one I would change is #3 -- the corner of the box is in front of the ear, which is where the midline of the side plane should be.

Bohdan Fedorchenko

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I decided to draw the same box multiple times until I got the hang of it And I am very happy with the portrait. There are some proportion errors, but it looks close to reference and boxy

Brad Hewitt

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that was a good one. probably need to do it all over with greater attention to simplicadtion

Brad Hewitt

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After watching Proko's demo , I took a big step back (and hopefully leap forward).

Juan Andres Gonzalez Trejo

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hi everyone, did the lvl 1 with some contour and this is going to sound weird but it feels like magic how the box mach with the direction of the face, it's refreshing knowing some things in technical drawing connect really well :D

Brad Hewitt

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it is pretty cool. nice job!

Lib

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I think I got these boxes down.

@greenbdg

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Really challenging. Felt like I did a bit better as I went along. I feel like I can see the box and the planes clearly in my mind but then have a really hard time actually putting it down on the paper. Any critique and advice is much appreciated!!

@whatsthemoonmadeof

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11d

Did the first 10 heads, kinda struggled lmao. Did something between level 1 and level 2, just added in some of the features very simply. Critique is heavily appreciated!!

Jacob Granillo

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11d

You’re doing great! Just keep practicing

Le Hai

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11d

I really enjoyed drawing the head in perspective. I picked photo #11 for the level 2 drawing, and it looks like a completely different person, haha. So, I decided to draw my girlfriend, but I need help because her chin looks wrong.

@dukal

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12d

I made a few more. I've decided to do a bit of Level 2, but I'm having trouble with my proportions. Especially when it comes to placing the facial features. If you have any advice, it would be appreciated. Thank you!

Sabil

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12d

These are my attempt for number 3 and 18! Critiques are welcome!!

Melanie Scearce

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12d

I think there's multiple correct answers to #3, but make sure to make it 3D! #18 looks good to me, nicely done. Keep going!

Michał Staniszewski

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16d

I just switched to digital drawing. Those are my first drawings. Of Course i'm using proko pencil :P.

@doodleibu

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16d

Two more attempts at level 2. I think the thing that’s been the most difficult for me so far is that I’m using reference to see where to place facial features, but my boxes are out of proportion. And so I have to place features relative to what I had constructed, rather than the actual position on the ref, or else things would look wonky like my previous attempt. (also doesn’t help that I rarely draw faces haha) I guess the solution to this is just to make sure things are proportioned correctly early on before committing to details. Which is a problem I’ve been having for the longest time 😅 I’ll watch demos and critiques next.

@doodleibu

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16d

I followed along Stan’s demo for 7 and then gave 13 a shot before watching his demo. Feels like it went better this time around? Also I know it's a little ahead, but I've been finding the X trick really useful for checking proportions (at least when I draw a box around the head). My first pass at the front plane is usually too wide and so the box's center line doesn't end up matching the ref.

J M

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22d

You'd think that after the DrawaBox 250 box challenge, this would be easier.....but nope LOL I suppose it's too naïve of me to think that 250 boxes would be enough to master this skill. This was harder than I expected, but the struggle wasn't drawing the actual box, but trying to figure out what part of the face belongs and the orientation of it. Once I "figured" that out, it was easier to draw the actual box, but I don't think I got the orientation right for most of them. I had to hold myself from watching the demo because I can tell some of these are wrong, but I cannot figure out why. I normally try to do some of the level 2 work...but not for this one. At least not until watching the demo and the critique.

@doodleibu

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24d

Went back to do level 1 for some reps on the box 👀

Gloria Wickman

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25d

Had some trouble with this one so after attempting 1-7 on my own I went and watched the level 1 and level demos about halfway through to check my work and then using what I learned from those I completed 8-19. This was a really cool assignment and I definitely drew heads from angles I had never attempted before but the box helped me understand a lot better what I was seeing. I think I still failed at capturing an accurate likeness, but most of the later faces do look convincingly 3D so I was pleased with that. All critiques and advice are very welcome!

@doodleibu

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1mo

First shot at level 2 which took a bit of time. This was fun! Looking at this again the lower jaw isn't centered 🤔 I'll give this a few more shots

Melanie Scearce

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29d

The construction of his head looks cool. The upper lip and nose projected out the way you’ve done here looks very three dimensional. Aside from the center line that you mentioned, it looks to me like we might see a bit more of the top plane of his head, maybe something like this, since he is tilting down so much. Looking forward to seeing more of your sketches!

@dukal

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1mo

I've done head #1-2 and 3 multiple times to be sure

@loghserk

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1mo

This excercise is really fun (but humbling)! I started off doing all photos for level 1. Afterwards I tried some lvl 2 excersices. I think I mainly struggle with proportions now. I will finish all level 2 soon.

Rafael Rangel

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1mo

Number “1” it look kinda odd, but number “6” come out a little better. Everything start making more and more sense! :D

Rachel Dawn Owens

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1mo

Looks like you’re getting the idea. A tilted 3/4 view of the head can be challenging to draw. Here’s a tip to help you out on your next drawing- Notice whether the nose or the ear is breaking the silhouette. it will only be one or the other. Not both. Keep at it. Hope this helps,