Killer Things: How to draw 3/4 view face

In this tutorial you will learn how to draw female faces in 3/4 view angle. Drawing the face is part of the sketches that many young artists overlook and skip due to the lack of knowledge how easy and fun it actually can be. Your fashion sketches will look so much better if you draw a nice face for your model so grab the pencils and let’s start!

Step 1: Finding the right size

Draw an ellipse and mark the Centerline of it. The shape of the ellipse is as it was composed out of two equal in size circles one of top of the other.

Tip: For the purposes of this tutorial start with a bigger size of the face. Once you learn the whole technique you can scale up and down to any size that you need.

Step 2: Partitions & New Centerline

The face is turned away from the viewer in 3/4 view and so is the Centerline. To reflect that move the Centerline to the left. The closer the Centerline lays to the outline – the closer to profile view we get.
Draw a horizontal line in the middle of the ellipse (where the two circles touch). This is the Eye level line. Now divide each half in 3 equal parts.

Step 3: Draw the nose and the face contour

Use the line underneath the Eyes level line as your guide and draw a small circle. The size of this circle will define how big is the tip of the nose. Connect the left most point of this circle with the place where Eye level line crosses the New Centerline. Finish the nose by adding a nostril as shown in the illustration below.

Drawing the face contour right is essential for 3/4 point of view. The line starts straight for the forehead. Next it goes in at Eye level forming a small triangular shape. Right under it is the most bulged out section – the cheekbone. Finish it before the tip of the nose. The line continues straight until it reaches the point where the New Centerline touches the ellipse.

Step 4: Draw the jawline

Moving on to drawing the jawline. Notice that the chin takes the space between the two Centerlines and then the line goes smoothly up. Be careful with the angle of the jaw line. If it is too vertical the face will look severely slim. If it is too soft, following the ellipse the face of your model will become chubby. About 45 degrees angle is what you’re looking for. The line ends at nose level.

Step 5: Mark the eyes and the mouth

The features of the face go in perspective in 3/4 view and this should be shown not only in the way the nose is drawn. Slightly touching the paper with your pencil mark the place of the eyes and the mouth. Notice that the eyes lay on top of Eye level line and that part of the left eye is covered by the nose making it appear smaller. The right eye should not be too close to the nose NOR to the outline.

The mouth shape is almost touching the left outline and doesn’t go pass the original Centerline.

Tip: As for the eyes size – make each of them about 1/4 of Eye level width.

Step 6: Draw the face features

In fashion design sketches the face features are a little exaggerated but we still need to stay true to reality to make the face look attractive.
Draw the right eye as usual ( check out the “How to draw fashion eyes” tutorials for more tips on that). The left eye’s inner corner is covered by the nose and the outer corner is not visible because of the view angle. This will make it appear smaller. Make sure you have the same pupils and iris size as the other eye!

Divide the mouth ellipse guide in two halves: upper and lower lip. Use the New Centerline to guide you. In “How to draw sexy lips” tutorial and “Drawing the lips” Friday tip you will find more tips and tricks.

Step 7: Draw the remaining details

Add brows in your preferred shape right above the eyes, Notice how the left eyebrow is cropper – the outer part of it is not visible. Mark the right side cheekbone and the skull. Finish the skull before it touches the jawline. This space is needed for the neck

Step 8: Draw the neck and the ear

In fashion design sketches necks are drawn longer and slimmer than real life. It still needs to be in proportion with the whole head so pay special attention to it. A poorly drawn neck can ruin the impression of the beautiful face you’ve created.
Next add the ear. The shape of it is nor a half moon – it is irregular the top part being wider than the lower.

Step 9: Customize your model

Use the “How to draw the hairline” tutorial to guide you on the shape of the hairline and create a hairstyle of your liking. Different hairstyles and accessories will give unique look of your model each time. Play with it and have fun!

Hopefully this face drawing tutorial was useful to you! If you haven’t already check out the “How to draw profile face” and “How to draw a fashion face” to learn how to draw the face from different angles and add diversity to your sketches.