Really enjoyed this. The structure made it easy to follow along, and the instructor's energy kept me engaged. So applicable to real-world scenarios.
Beginner's Guide to Realistic Portrait Drawing
Master the foundational rules of facial proportions, anatomy, and shading to draw realistic human portraits with confidence.
-
💬
AI instructor
Ask about any lesson and get a clear answer instantly, anytime. -
🕐
Start anytime
No schedules or deadlines — learn at your own pace, whenever suits you. -
🌐
In English
Lessons, tasks and certificate — all fully in your language.
About this course
Course contents
5 modules · 29 lessons · 3h 8m
1
Foundations and Structure of the Head
Understand the volumetric structure of the head and its universal proportions.
- Introduction and Materials
Prepare the workspace and understand which pencils to use for portraiture.6 min - The Loomis Method: The Sphere
Learn to build the base of the head starting from a simplified sphere.7 min - The Rule of Thirds
Divide the face into proportional segments to correctly position the features.7 min - The Head in Profile
Apply proportions to the side view of the head.6 min - The Three-Quarter View
Manage perspective and plane distortion in a rotated face.7 min - The Asaro Planes
Break down the face into flat surfaces to understand the three-dimensional structure.7 min
2
Anatomy of Features: Eyes and Nose
Draw eyes and the nose not as flat symbols, but as complex anatomical objects.
- The Eye: The Eyeball
Understand that the eye is a sphere set in a socket, covered by the eyelids.7 min - Symmetry and Spacing
Position the eyes at the correct distance from each other on the frontal plane.6 min - Iris Details and Highlights
Make the gaze come alive through the management of highlights.6 min - The Structure of the Nose
Visualize the nose as a simplified prism before adding details.6 min - Nostrils and Alae of the Nose
Draw the base of the nose while avoiding the 'black hole' effect.6 min - Exercise: Eye-Nose Connection
Practice drawing the T-zone of the face to improve observation.7 min
3
Anatomy of Features: Mouth and Ears
Complete the facial features with attention to volume and positioning.
- Lip Volumes
Break down the mouth into five fat pads to create volume.6 min - The Mouth in Perspective
Draw the lips when the face is tilted or rotated.6 min - The Ear: C and Y Shapes
Simplify the complex anatomy of the ear into memorable shapes.6 min - Ear Alignment
Position the ears in relation to the brow and nose lines.6 min - Hair Masses
Draw hair as large volumes of shadow instead of individual strands.7 min - Exercise: Complete Features
Combine the mouth and ears with the previously learned head structure.7 min
4
Light, Shadow, and Shading
Apply chiaroscuro to transform a line drawing into a realistic portrait.
- The Logic of Light
Identify direct light, form shadow, cast shadow, and reflected light.6 min - Shading Techniques
Learn cross-hatching and the use of a blending stump for soft transitions.7 min - Mapping Shadows on the Face
Identify the main shadow areas based on structural planes.7 min - The Value Scale
Control pencil pressure to create a full tonal range.7 min - Edge Management
Distinguish between hard, soft, and lost edges to guide the viewer's eye.6 min - Exercise: Shading a Solid
Apply shading to a sphere to simulate human skin.6 min
5
Synthesis and Portrait Creation
Combine all skills to create a finished portrait with a good likeness.
- Capturing Likeness
Observe the unique distances between features that make a face specific.7 min - Drawing from a Photo
A step-by-step procedure for translating a photographic reference into a drawing.7 min - Drawing from Imagination
Use the learned rules to create a face without external references.7 min - Correcting Common Mistakes
Identify and resolve issues with asymmetry or flat values.6 min - Refining the Finished Portrait
Add final touches and high-contrast details.6 min
Your First Realistic Portrait
Choose a close-up photograph of a face with clear lighting. Apply the Loomis method for construction, define the features using the studied anatomy, and complete the work with a full shading workflow.
What you'll get
-
📜
Certificate of completion
Add it to your LinkedIn profile -
💬
Personal AI tutor
Stuck on a lesson? Ask your built-in tutor anything, any time. -
♾️
Lifetime access
Come back anytime, no expiry -
📱
Phone or computer
Works anywhere, any device -
💸
14-day refund
No questions asked -
⚡
Short & focused
3h 8m of practical content
Certificate of completion
Every course you complete on PickAClass issues a credential like this — original, with its own code, verifiable by URL, and detailed about what was actually demonstrated.
Reviews (3)
Found it useful for a refresher. Not sure it would be the best starting point for a complete beginner, tbh.
It's a good course if you have some prior knowledge. For absolute beginners, some concepts might be a bit challenging. The structure is logical, though.
Learners also took
AutoLISP Programming for AutoCAD Automation
AutoCAD Plugin Development with C#.NET
SketchUp Pro: From Foundations to Dynamic Components
3ds Max: 3D Modeling and Interior Visualization
Frequently asked
What do I need to take this course? +
Just a phone or computer with internet. No installs, no special hardware.
How do I pay? +
By card via Stripe. We don’t store card details — Stripe handles them securely.
Can I get a refund? +
Yes — full refund within 14 days, no questions asked.
How long will I have access? +
Forever. Once you purchase, the course is yours to revisit anytime.
Will I get a certificate? +
Yes. On completion you'll receive a certificate you can add to your LinkedIn profile.
Get 10 courses a month
Members get 10 courses of their choice every month for $0. No per-course charges — you pay only the subscription.
- ✓ 10 courses every month
- ✓ Cancel anytime
Renews monthly. Unused courses expire at the end of each billing month.