How to draw a face - a free face drawing guide
Draw a realistic face step by step, learning proportions, placement of eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and hair, plus basic shading to show expression. Download the PDF for complete instructions.
Photos of realistic face drawing examples
Step-by-step guide to draw a realistic face
Step 1
Draw a light oval for the head with the pencil.
Step 2
Draw a light oval on your paper to make the shape of the head.
Step 3
Draw a straight vertical line down the middle of the oval to split the face in half.
Step 4
Draw a horizontal eye line across the oval at the halfway point.
Step 5
Draw a horizontal line halfway down the oval to mark the eye level.
Step 6
Draw a light horizontal hairline about one third of the way down from the top of the oval.
Step 7
Draw two eyes on the eye line and leave about one eye-width of space between them.
Step 8
Mark two eye centers on the eye line so there is about one eye width between them.
Step 9
Place a small horizontal mark halfway between the eye line and the bottom of the oval to show where the nose will end.
Step 10
Draw almond shaped eyes around the two eye centers.
Step 11
Draw the nose from the eye line down to the nose mark using simple curved lines.
Step 12
Mark the bottom of the nose halfway between the eye line and the chin.
Step 13
Put a small horizontal mark halfway between the nose mark and the bottom of the oval to mark the mouth line.
Step 14
Draw the mouth on the mouth line using a gentle curve for the top lip and a softer curve for the bottom lip.
Step 15
Sketch the nose shape along the center line from the eye line to the nose mark.
Step 16
Draw the ears on each side of the head between the eye line and the nose mark.
Step 17
Mark the mouth line about one third of the distance from the nose bottom to the chin.
Step 18
Draw the mouth shape at the mouth line with corners roughly under the pupils.
Step 19
Lightly sketch the hairline where the hair will start on the forehead.
Step 20
Draw the ears between the eye line and the bottom of the nose on each side of the head.
Step 21
Draw the hair style you like using the hairline as a guide.
Step 22
Add simple shading with light pencil strokes under the lower eyelids along the sides of the nose and just under the lower lip to show expression.
Step 23
Lightly refine the jawline and connect it to the ears to make the face shape smooth.
Step 24
Gently erase the vertical and horizontal construction lines so your face looks neat.
Step 25
Sketch the hair outline from the hairline around the head and add eyebrow and eyelid lines to set the expression.
Step 26
Add light shading with soft pencil strokes on the eye sockets sides of the nose and under the lower lip then gently blend with the tissue.
Step 27
Erase the construction lines sign your name and share your finished drawing on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use instead of a soft pencil or tissue if we don't have them?
Use a regular HB or 2B pencil for the construction and sketching and blend the light shading with a clean fingertip or a cotton swab instead of tissue.
My eyes look uneven—how can I fix them after drawing?
Measure from the vertical center line with your pencil to re-mark the two eye centers about one eye width apart, then erase and redraw the almond-shaped eyes around those corrected centers before refining the jawline.
How can I adapt this activity for younger or older children?
For younger kids simplify by tracing a printed oval and using crayons to place eyes on the eye line and a simple mouth on the mouth line, while older kids should follow all construction lines, add the soft-pencil shading on the eye sockets, sides of the nose and under the lip, and blend with tissue for realism.
How can we extend or personalize the finished drawing?
After erasing construction lines and signing your name, personalize the portrait by designing different hairstyles from the hairline, adding accessories or clothing with colored pencils, and photographing the result to share on DIY.org.
What can we use if we don't have a pencil, eraser, or drawing paper?
Use the back of a cereal box or cardstock as paper, sketch the light oval and construction lines in steps 1–3 with a soft colored pencil or crayon, and lift small mistakes with a kneaded putty or a piece of clean tape instead of an eraser.
My eyes or mouth look uneven—what should I check or redo?
Keep the vertical and horizontal construction lines in steps 2–3 very light, use the pencil tip as a spacer to leave one eye-width between the eyes in step 4, and compare features to the centerline before erasing in step 15.
How can I change this activity for different ages?
For younger kids have them trace an oval and use stickers for eyes and a pre-cut mouth after step 4, while older kids can refine the nose curves in step 6, add detailed hair in step 11, and practice the shading in step 13.
How can we extend or personalize the finished face?
After erasing construction lines in step 15 and adding the light shading from step 13, vary the mouth curve in step 7 for different expressions, add freckles or accessories, color the hair from step 11, and then share the result on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to draw a realistic face
Self Portrait Drawing for 3rd- 5th Grade | How to Draw a Face Step-by-Step Tutorial for Kids
6 Videos
Facts about portrait drawing and facial proportions
✏️ In portraits the eyes often sit halfway down the head, not near the top like many beginners expect.
✏️ Small changes in shading and value can dramatically alter a face’s perceived expression and depth.
🎭 A small change in shading or a tiny tilt of an eyebrow or mouth can completely change the expression you draw.
👀 A typical face is about five eye-widths across, so spacing the eyes is an easy measurement trick.
🖼️ Artists often place the eyes halfway down the head — a simple rule that helps faces look realistic.
🧮 Artists often use simple ratios (and sometimes the golden ratio) to place features and create a balanced face.
👂 Ears usually align from the eye line to the bottom of the nose, making ear placement quick to find.
🔍 Perfect facial symmetry is rare; tiny asymmetries are what make each face look alive and unique.
👀 The space between the eyes is usually about the width of one eye — a super-handy drawing shortcut!
🎭 Tiny shifts in eyebrow or mouth shape can turn a smile into a frown — expressions are all about subtle curves.
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What ages is learning to draw a realistic face suitable for?
What are the benefits of practicing realistic face drawing with kids?
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What materials do I need to draw a proportionate face with my child?
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What are the benefits of drawing faces for children?
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