School was probably the last time I drew a face with any degree of seriousness, and that was 3 plus decades ago at the very least! About a month ago I decided to give it another try.  I have always been fascinated by faces, how different light affects the expression and how to use tonal variances to create an accuate face with expression. I new I could draw faces, but I wasn’t sure if I could draw the faces with any degree of accuracy.  In my next portrait challenge I want to draw my children and then I can post the photographs with the studies. I just need to persuade my son to shave his prickles off his face so it’s easier for this novice to draw.  Not sure I am ready for a facial hair challenge yet!  Initially I was quite dependent on line, but in just these last 4 portraits I can see how I have forgotten my anxiety and allowed the areas of light and dark to guide me.  It’s no different to painting really.  Once the penny dropped it was so much easier.  Even after all these years I still need to remind myself colour is not always light and dark, and to draw what I SEE and NOT what I think I SEE!!!!!

I have arranged the portraits in the order in which I have drawn them and not age of subject.  In the last two portraits I started SEEING how the shape of the lip was hidden in shadow yet even though there is no line defining the shape the eye does it for you. Way more accurate than any line I could have drawn!  For the hair I used an eraser to help create strong areas of light and to further enhance the growth direction of the hair and the way it was lying.