Drawing: People with William F. Powell

Facial Features—Noses & Ears

Noses can be easily developed from simple straight lines. The first step is to sketch the overall shape as illustrated by the sketches below. Then smooth out the corners into subtle curves in accordance with the shape of the nose. A three-quarter view can also be drawn with this method. Once you have a good preliminary drawing, begin shading to create form.

The nostrils enhance the personality of the nose as well as the person. Make sure the shading inside the nostrils isn’t too dark or they might draw too much attention. Men’s nostrils are generally angular, while women’s nostrils are more gently curved. Observe your subject closely to ensure that each feature of your drawing is accurate.

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