The secret to portraiture is thinking in three dimensions
In short: Capturing a celebrity likeness isn't just about tracing surface features; it is about constructing a skull. To draw a convincing portrait, you must mentally build a three-dimensional object while working on a two-dimensional surface, identifying hidden landmarks that dictate how light and shape behave.
To master a caricature or portrait, the artist suggests starting by blocking in simple shapes rather than focusing on tiny details. This is often achieved by holding a pencil sideways, a technique that prevents the artist from getting hung up on minute lines and allows for a clearer focus on the overall construction of the face.
A key principle in this method is the mental construction of the skull. Even when drawing from a single angle, the artist must imagine the entire structure of the head. For example, when drawing Justin Bieber, this involves identifying the edges of the eye sockets and the landmarks of the skull to determine how the face is built, rather than simply drawing the visible surface.
Nuance is required when deciding which features to emphasize. While the underlying bone structure is vital for construction, some landmarks—like prominent eye sockets—might be omitted in the final drawing if they aren't naturally visible on the subject. The goal is to balance the 'angular quality' of the skull with the 'soft' features of the face, such as a high, 'pixie-ish' nose or a full, bow-shaped top lip.
The process concludes with refinement. After establishing the basic structure, the artist may use a light box and tracing paper to refine the work. In the case of caricatures, an artist might produce ten different versions to ensure they have a firm handle on the subject's personality and specific quirks, such as a smirk where one corner of the mouth sits higher than the other.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: How to Draw Justin Bieber | Drawing Tips
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