Layins Workbook

D R AW I N G P R O G R A M Head Drawing Phase I: Basic Head Construction—Lay-ins

OVERVIEW What you will learn: We will attempt to memorize the basic construction of the profile, straight-on, and three-quarter head. These concepts are the foundation for constructing skull, abstraction, and Asaro head drawings. Pay special attention to the “rule of thirds” when measuring where the features go. The basic shape is an oval or elongated ellipse. In my opinion, these simple lay-ins are one of the most important.

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ASSIGNMENT 1: BASIC HEAD CONSTRUCTION–LAY-INS

This assignment will introduce you to the construction of a basic head in straight-on, profile, and three-quarter view. Part 1: Watch the video demonstrating how to construct a head. Then, look over the handouts which will act as a refresher for you. I have included some key notes and helpful hints, so look closely, and read over these handouts. Part 2: Copy the handouts for the various head angles. 1) You may want to start with the profile pose as it is the most manageable. Use the handout with my drawing and copy as best you can. This information will be used in the construction of a great deal of your drawings and, ultimately, paintings. 2) Next, move on to the straight-on pose. 3) Now, attempt the three-quarter pose. Note: You should draw these dozens of times. It is a good idea to occasionally put aside your handouts, and draw these images from memory. If you can’t draw them from memory, don’t worry. It just means you need to repeat the angles until you can. Part 3: Make sure to work from the additional handouts. I have included several which build off of these principles. Do your best. You are slowly building the foundation for more advanced concepts to come. Don’t rush–it is not a race.




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When learning to draw the fundamentals, the student should grasp the simplistic essentials before putting on the “window dressing.” Looking at the cranium, think of it as a ball flattened on its sides and a bit fuller in the back than front. First, learn to construct this ball minus any of the features. It’s important to initially construct the ball and facial planes so they function as one unit. Once constructed properly, this unit can then be tilted in any direction. You must learn to draw through the form. We need to develop the ability to feel the unseen side of the head. It is extremely frustrating and inefficient to draw from one feature to another oblivious of the skull and the placement of the features without it. It’s necessary to construct the head in such a way that we always are subdividing the whole into its parts rather than guessing at where they go.




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D R AW I N G P R O G R A M Head Drawing Phase I: Basic Head Construction—Lay-ins Of all head poses, the profile will likely be the most manageable. From this angle, there will be no need to match up the eyes. This will save valuable time. The “rule of thirds” will still apply. Remember, the “rule of thirds” is simply a springboard. Many people will not generally fit this rule. However, once you have made it intuitive through repetition, you can then see deviations and quickly and efficiently alter your position to accommodate the individual’s uniqueness.

PROFILE

You can also use two ovals when constructing a profile. You will ultimately draw upon many different methods of construction.




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T H R E E - Q U A RT E R

Here we see the simplified head basic ball or cranial mass with the “rule of thirds” showing key measuring points. Practice these left and right, three-quarter views until you can draw them from memory! They seem basic but can still present a challenge as your hand and eye learn to coordinate with each other.




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STRAIGHT ON

Above is a simplified construction of a straight-on head. I find straight-on heads to be most challenging. Here we’ve drawn our oval or, shall I say, circle. We then pull the face plane off the sides constructing the outer jaw. Determine where the jaw turns heading towards the chin. Remember, all good drawing requires “guessing” or visual estimation. This might surprise you at first but try to get used to it, because we most likely will need to move things around a bit as they begin to relate. Make an effort to stay light on your pressure with the pencil. The hand should glide on the paper in a relaxed manner. Always remember to breathe and “relax.” No death grip on your pencil. Now you can start to determine the “rule of thirds.” The first third will estimate where the hairline starts. Remember to take note that this is not the high point of the head. That point exists towards the back of the cranium. The next challenge is to estimate your first third. It will take you down to the brow line. This is not the highest arc of the eyebrow but rather across the top of your brow ridge excluding the high point. You can now take this third and duplicate it to find the next point. This is roughly where the bottom of the nose is. The last third should find you at the chin. Learn to trust your estimations. Ultimately, they are all you have!




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- TIP Practicing drawing large ovals using the entire arm is essential when drawing the head. For the sake of simplicity, we will be drawing the head at eye level from the three key angles: straight-on, three-quarter, and profile. Later we will include more challenging angles as well as above and below perspectives.




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Layins Workbook

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