Project - Portraits in Perspective

Lesson by

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Assignments 806Lesson NotesDownloads 6

Project - Portraits in Perspective

Lesson by

Stan Prokopenko

in Drawing Basics

206K

Mark as Completed

Course In Progress

Assignments 806Lesson 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!

Marcin Ch

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This exercise turned out to be much trickier than I expected. Recognizing plain change in perspective was already challenging for me, and keeping the proportions consistent made it even harder. I tried to analyze the portrait carefully and construct boxes in two-point perspective to capture the head’s rotation in space, but I often found myself unsure how much tilt or convergence to apply. I realized I tend to rely more on visual intuition than on actual structural understanding. I’d really appreciate any feedback, especially on how to better judge proportion and rotation when building forms from reference. Some guidance on exercises or ways to strengthen spatial awareness would be very helpful.

Alison Shelton

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This is challenging. I did rough sketches on paper then I inked them in procreate. I’m not sure my approach is correct so I will watch the demos next.

Alison Shelton

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More portrait boxes

Daniel Divinus

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First six at level 1.

Rachel Dawn Owens

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Looking good 📦

Dado

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Hello everyone! I’ve had to watch Stan’s demo to approach lvl 2 project, had no idea how to do it 😃 may I ask for a critique? I know I’ve tilted it too much, I’m also not happy with the nose, I’ve tried to copy the shadowed areas there and it seems off. I’d appreciate your tips and advices!

@hampop

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Looking for feedback 👋 I worked first on figuring out the bounding boxes for the first 6 heads first and then drew the actual heads on top. Feel like i kind of gotten these right, but something feels off for each one.

@yoyoy12

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Head Construction

Ami learning to draw

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you drew the head from cube form so well!

Rachel Dawn Owens

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Very solid head constructions!

@yoyoy12

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Basic Box Construction

Ami learning to draw

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10d

Hi! I drew 3 box heads in different angles. I would like to know your approach on drawing from box head to human head. I would like to know that how do you manipulate the cube form to draw the cranium and jaw? Thanks! @Rachel Dawn Owens @Chuck Ludwig Reina @Melanie Scearce @Martha Muniz @Stan Prokopenko

Melanie Scearce

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10d

Hey Ami! Drawing a head in a box is deceivingly difficult. It's a multistep process that requires you to understand each concept before moving forward. I recommend completing the level 1 exercise: using the provided photos in the downloads tab, try to match the orientation of each head with your box. You can even find your own photos and use those as reference if you like. Post it here and tag everyone above so we can give you feedback. Once you've done that, you'll have a better idea of the 3D forms in space. That's the key to developing your understanding: starting with the basics and gradually building up your skill and knowledge. You can then use that knowledge to move on to level 2 where you'll start experimenting with more specific head construction. Patrick linked you a very good tutorial about the Loomis method: https://www.proko.com/course-lesson/how-to-draw-the-head-from-any-angle/assignments. This is a great method that gives you the general proportions of an average head. Study these and internalize the rules, and with a lot of practice you will find that you can begin to draw heads from difference angles pretty intuitively. Below I've attached a few pointers I think might be helpful to you. Hope you find this insightful :)

@bezet

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16d

Level 1

Ami learning to draw

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17d

Hi! I did the first step which is I drew a Box Head in different angles. THE SECOND STEP I have some questions on second step: 1. After drawing a box head, how do I manipulate or carve the box into head form? 2. What 3 forms I have to draw the cranium and especially the jaw and how do I draw these forms inside the box? Thank You for reading! @Rachel Dawn Owens @Melanie Scearce @Patrick Bosworth @Marshall Vandruff @Stan Prokopenko LESS

Rachel Dawn Owens

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14d

I love how much you’re digging into this, trying to figure it out. Maybe a few skull studies would be helpful. It’s a good time of year to find a Halloween decoration and set up your own still life even 💀 The box idea is the simplest way to understand the structures of the head. Proko goes into step-by-step head construction later in the Drawing Basics course. Check the level 2 demo video: https://www.proko.com/s/H99g Also, just keep having fun with it. Doodle over your box drawings and see what you come up with. You might be surprised.

C. A. Corbell

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19d

Here are my attempts - I tried the level 2 part though I don't feel like I quite know what I'm doing with the planar representations of the actual heads - more to come on that I hope. (Haven't watched demos or critiques yet). I did a dozen total, here are 6 of them.

Tony Reza

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19d

Level 1 finally done GOLLY… I did enjoyed it as well and I would like any tips on my portrait shapes, in case I did an error

Ami learning to draw

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21d

My first attempt to draw a face from box. Never thought I can use box to draw head. I have a question. How do I add planes and How to I add features like eyes, nose, mouth and chin? Thanks

Wenhan Lee

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23d

Here are my (many) attempts. Constructive criticism is highly invited. Regarding Level 2, my main approach was to draw a bounding box and then work my way from there. For some reason I could not find my attempts for portraits 12-14 but oh well

C. A. Corbell

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18d

Great job, I like how you represent the heads with minimal planes, that's something I hope to learn.

Melanie Scearce

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23d

Some of your boxes feel a bit square, the front plane might be a little too wide in these. I noticed this in #2, 5, 7, 8 & 9. But overall, the actual orientation of these boxes looks great to me. Nice work 👍

Wenhan Lee

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23d

another attempt of portrait 9 and 12

Ssss 13

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26d

My attempt of level 2

@silver847

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27d

I got better as this went along! I feel good about this

@chrisdzy

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29d

Feeling like this is the most progress I’ve made so far, especially with the drawing here of mr.handsome guy. Seems like even the consideration of perspective at all makes a difference.

Wenhan Lee

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19d

Looks great

@chrisdzy

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30d

I really wanted to test myself with this exercise so I went freehand with no checking until I was done, problem was that even with a ruler I wasn’t able to figure out how to fix the question mark one. Also pretty sure I somehow ended up with three point perspective ones without really knowing but not 100% sure.