See your subject clearly

'Not another article on how to do portraits ... surely not, there are so many!'

'Well, yes there are, but this is about drawing and how best to approach the subject and prepare your attitude and skills to achieve the best results.

'Inevitably, making a likeness of someone brings with it many complex and demanding points of view, together with historical baggage that should be left behind in an attempt to see the subject clearly.

'In my view there are more than enough books on how to construct an anatomical representation of the face: how to draw eyes, lips, noses, ears, and where to put the shading. Showing an egg shape as the basis for drawing the head is of little use — what you need is to look carefully at the model.

'The most important factor in drawing anything is to be able to see the subject clearly, and from that to select aspects that will make an interesting drawing. It may help to discard some of the assumptions you already have about portrait drawing.

'Look at the face as you would a still life or landscape to encourage a more interesting view of the subject; the eyes and the folds of hair and shadows might be as exciting as one of Turner's storms at sea.

'How can we find a new, fresh and exciting way of looking at the face that will contribute to an exciting and rewarding quick sketch?

'These are challenging thoughts, and to sit down and draw someone's face, or even your own face in the mirror, can be either satisfying and enjoyable or extremely boring and worthless, depending on your skills, previous learning and the approach you take'.

Drawing is still a necessity for artists. If your artistic creations were made of neon tubes or a collection of cardboard boxes you might feel that to be able to draw a likeness of someone would be irrelevant, but that would be to misunderstand what art is.

If we want to describe an idea, a thought, a feeling, then using a pencil and piece of paper is at the beginning of all art, both great and small.

If you want to achieve a good likeness of someone, your studies and direction will be different from those of another artist who is more interested in colour, or the effect of light, or in developing a personal style — or individual way of looking at the face.

If you are as yet unsure of what your particular interest is, or in which direction your abilities are going, do not worry because these factors will evolve and show themselves as you work. The important thing is to keep working.

Try different drawing tools and various types of paper; make both small and large drawings using a wide range of sitters: old and young, with long tresses or short crops, studious or sporty. This will help to enhance your visual vocabulary and your drawing.