Study your subject

Begin by sketching your subject in several positions. Children don’t sit still for very long so try to sketch them quickly as they play. This is a great way to improve visual memory and the power of observation. It also helps you to understand your model’s personality and characteristics better and will, hopefully, result in a more accurate portrait.

Select the ideal photograph

I take as many good, clear photographs as possible, preferably outside in natural light, then choose one that inspires me. A good composition is obviously also important. Decide whether you want to depict the head alone, head and shoulders, or include the body as well.

Select a good photograph

In an adult, the eyes are generally at the centre of the face. In younger children the eyes tend to be below centre. And, remember, the eye is not flat but three dimensional, and sits within a hollow eye socket. Use appropriate shading to convey this.

There is, as a rule, approximately one eye width between the eyes.

I used pink madder lake to outline the eye and mixed sky blue, light blue and bottle green for the iris colours. Ivory black was used for the darkest part of the eye – the pupil – and chocolate and terracotta for further shading and the eyelashes.

Nose

The shape of a person’s nose is not directly related to the skull and therefore, there is considerable differences in shape and size.

Here are two examples of my subject’s nose from different angles

Mouth

As with the eyes, the mouth is also key to capturing the model’s likeness and mood.

Faces with closed mouths avoid the need to draw teeth, which can be problematic and distracting.

The finished portrait, coloured pencil, (37x30cm)