The Colored Pencil Course: Portrait Drawing - Part 2
Lesson Description
In this lesson, we continue our journey into portrait drawing with colored pencils. This lesson is the second module in a series specifically focused on the portrait, and it dives deeply into one of the most challenging and expressive facial features: the nose. By the end of this lesson, you will have a better understanding of how to capture the subtle shapes, shadows, and highlights that make a nose look realistic and three-dimensional.
Understanding the Structure of the Nose
Before you put pencil to paper, it’s essential to understand the anatomy of the nose. The nose is composed of a combination of bone, cartilage, and soft tissue, and each part affects how light interacts with it. In this section, we break down the nose into its basic forms—the bridge, the tip, the nostrils, and the wings. Learning these forms helps you simplify what might initially seem like a complex structure, giving you a roadmap to follow when you begin drawing.
Light, Shadow, and Subtle Value Changes
One of the keys to a realistic nose is capturing the subtle variations in light and shadow. In this lesson, you will learn how to observe and render soft gradients of value with colored pencils. We’ll explore techniques for layering colors to create depth and dimension, including burnishing, blending, and building up translucent layers. These techniques help you achieve the gentle transitions between light and dark that make the nose appear realistic without looking flat or harsh.
Using Directional Lines and Texture
While the nose doesn’t have as much texture as skin on other parts of the face, directional lines and soft shading can enhance its realism. In this section, we show you how to use short, controlled pencil strokes to suggest the subtle contours and curves of the nose. You’ll also learn how to avoid overworking the area, ensuring your drawing maintains a smooth, natural appearance while still conveying structure and form.
Color Choices for Realism
Choosing the right colors is crucial in portrait drawing. In this lesson, we discuss strategies for selecting a palette that captures the natural tones of the nose. From warm undertones to cooler shadows, you’ll learn how to mix and layer colors effectively. This section also covers how to identify and replicate subtle shifts in hue that occur on the skin around the nose, including the transition to the cheeks and under the eyes.
Step-by-Step Demonstration
Matt Fussell provides a detailed, step-by-step demonstration of drawing a nose with colored pencils. Following along with the video, you will see how to map out the shape, block in initial values, refine shadows, and add highlights. This process reinforces the importance of patience and observation in achieving a realistic result. Each step is explained clearly, making it easy for you to follow along and apply these techniques to your own portraits.
Practical Exercises and Tips
At the end of the lesson, you’ll find practical exercises designed to help you reinforce the concepts learned. These exercises focus on practicing different nose shapes, experimenting with value transitions, and honing your color layering skills. Additionally, Matt provides tips on common mistakes to avoid and insights into how to troubleshoot areas that may appear stiff or unnatural.
Lesson 14 is a comprehensive guide to mastering one of the most delicate features in portrait drawing. By focusing on the structure, values, textures, and colors of the nose, this lesson helps build confidence in rendering realistic facial features. Whether you’re working on a full portrait or focusing on individual features, the techniques covered here will enhance your understanding of anatomy and improve your overall colored pencil portrait skills.
Lesson Materials
Bristol paper, Prismacolor colored pencils, colorless blender.
Lesson Resources
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Reference Image
Course Curriculum
Founder of The Virtual Instructor, artist and teacher. Matt makes learning art easy to understand and enjoyable.
excellent!!
Two questions:
1. What is the difference between regular pastel pencils and oil pastel pencils as far as the end results. I do oil painting at the present time.
2. When you finish a pastel pencil piece, do you use a fixative on it, like varnish?
Thank you for replying. Ruth
Hi Ruth,
1. There are pastel pencils which feature compressed pastel medium encased within a wooden pencil. I am not familiar with oil pastel pencils. There are oil pastels – which are pastels with a oil binder – but I do not think that these are available as pencils. I believe you may be thinking of oil-based and wax-based colored pencils since your question is posted on a module from The Colored Pencil Course. You may check out this article exploring the differences between the two…http://thevirtualinstructor.com/blog/oil-based-vs-wax-based-colored-pencils
If you want more information on the differences between some of the different pencils that are colored (not all are “colored pencils”), check out this article…http://thevirtualinstructor.com/blog/colored-pencils-vs-watercolor-pencils-vs-the-others
2. Yes, you can use fixative on a pastel piece once it’s finished. I prefer not to do so since it can darken the value (darkness or lightness) of the work. If you’re a member, you can check out this Member’s Minute Episode on using fixative…http://thevirtualinstructor.com/members/members-minute-111115/
There are oil pastel pencils. They are specialty pencils usually sold as pencils for working on wood (pyrographers use them a lot). I have a set and LOVE them.
Hi, Matt. I have been used Bristol paper of hahnamule but when I intent to apply dark brown over indigo, the blue colored is removed. I think than this paper is too smooth.
Hi Maritza,
Yes, it sounds as though you may be filling in the tooth of the paper quickly. Once the tooth is filled, the material cannot “stick” to the surface.
Hello,
What is the process for determining which colors of the Prisma Color pencil set to use ?
How do you know which color should be used to mute another color ?
Thanks