This video explains how to the structure of the head and neck are organized. All of the major bony landmarks are covered, as well as how to identify them on a person.
In addition to explaining how to articulate bones like the mandible, the zygomatic arch, etc., this lecture shows how to group these bones together to create a convincing portrait. Lecture by Art Prof Clara Lieu.
- Watch the 3 min. version (draw along)
- Watch the 21 min. version (draw along)
- Watch the 70 min. version (lecture)
Video Walkthrough
- Resist the temptation to start with the eyes/nose/mouth
- Instead, start with the skull structure.
- Search for the structures around the eyes/nose/mouth
- Look at hair as a mass, and draw it simultaneously with the face
- Hair is an essential structure
- Cheekbones can be round or angular
- Shadows can articulate cheekbones
- Foreshortened heads
- The ear is a great landmark
- Use the ear to find the location of other parts of the head
- Build the eye socket before you draw the eye
- Find the “pockets” on the side of the lips
- Creases/ dimples around the mouth
- Wrinkles follow the form of the face, think about their relationship to the structure of the face.
- Wrinkles often cross over each other, look at how they layer on top of each other.
Reference Photos
Anatomical landmarks mentioned
- Ear
- Philtrum
- Masseter
Bones mentioned
- Nasal bone
- Mandible
- Zygomatic arch
- Eye sockets
