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Caroline Dally

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I’ve never been taught to draw and I can see this is not right. Any hints to improve proportions and how to add shading would be good. I see so many expert sketches on this site
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, NAPA

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The head is too broad as is the neck, and both are too big for the body - this is what happens when you concentrate too much on the features (which in this case DO convey a real personality, so well done - that's not easy in itself) and lose sight of the overall shape.  It's overcome by getting the shapes down and working the features into the correct shape.  Practice is the key - and lots of it.  I don't think there's a more difficult discipline than portraiture, with figure-drawing a close second - so!  No challenge there, then! Shading - many ways of doing that, but again look for the shapes and the shades will reveal themselves:  parallel lines can do it, smudging soft pencil or charcoal, hatching and cross-hatching; worth making the point though that no amount of shading will help if the proportions are wrong: as, um - most of us know all too well.    I would suggest buying a book on drawing - you can take its lessons in your own time, rather than trying to follow a dvd or download.  And as often as you can, work from live models, and failing those, plaster casts - the Charles Bargue drawing course is said to be a good one: certainly one of those who used to post on this page found it improved his work enormously.  (Come back, Daviboiz, [sic] you are missed.) 

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by Robert Jones, NAPA

Caroline Dally

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Thank you Robert. I was thinking it was her body was wrong. Very useful. I’ll take a look at the Charles Brague drawing course you suggest. Anything to inform me will help I’m sure, and a recommended course even better. 

Alan Bickley

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The Charles Bargue course isn’t an easy one! It requires years of dedicated study, but is undoubtedly an excellent choice for those artists who want to specialise in accurate drawing and portraiture. There are many books available on portrait drawing/painting Caroline, I would suggest something basic to start with and work up from there!  I’m sure that someone on here will recommend something suitable.
GS Feb 2022

Gudrun Ståhl Sharpley

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I found a book via Jackson's art I think.  The Artist's Complete Guide to Drawing the Head.  Even though it concentrates on the head, the technique and ideas can be used to draw anything in anyway you like.  There are no limits. 🙂 Gudrun
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, NAPA

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I've had this for a while, and it may not be in print now - but The Fundamentals of Drawing Portraits is worth taking a look at; it was available quite recently, and may still be, even second-hand.  
GS Feb 2022

Gudrun Ståhl Sharpley

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I forgot to mention artist author.  William Maugham.

Caroline Dally

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Great!  Thank you for the suggestions. Something basic is what I need as I truly know nothing. Don’t want to get put off with something too over my head. 

Sylvia Evans

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Ambitious lady…great.  You have jumped in the deep end.   Why not ,just for a change do a small still life. Chuck a pot and a few veggies on a cloth and sit and look and look and look.go squinty eyed  and look for shape and lights and darks and start a bit of colour.  Mainly relax ,enjoy and paint everything that takes your fancy.  A big wide world of fun. 
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, NAPA

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There's a much more simple book - 'simple' in the sense of basic - which I know I've got somewhere.   I'll hoick it out from wherever it's hiding, which might take a while, and hope to let you know tomorrow. You're right to avoid a very technique-heavy book when starting out, that can just put you RIGHT off - start with something very basic (indeed, we can ALL learn from that - I often go back to basics) - I'll rummage through my drawers tomorrow, as it were, and let you know what I find.  Never be ashamed to start with the veriest basics - I've been painting and drawing for decades, but find returning to the simplest starting points very helpful, because it causes me to remember those things I've long forgotten: never hurts to remind ourselves.  

Caroline Dally

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Thank you Sylvia. That sounds like a good suggestion. And thanks Robert. I’d be interested to know what the book is if you can find it. I looked online, but it’s very difficult to know what is going to be the most helpful. Ordered ‘the fundamentals of drawing’ so we will see when it arrives if it truly is for beginners 

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