FACES

Wouldn't you like to be able to sketch the people sitting around you at the coffee shop?

 What better time to try to draw faces then in the summer outside while you are people-watching.

Gesture drawing by Hugh Heimdahl

My cousin Hugh is an accomplished artist. He unearthed the drawings displayed here while looking through some of his old portfolios.

by Hugh Heimdahl

This is a self-portrait by Hugh who has a wry sense of humor. Doesn't that show in his self-portrait?














These two drawings show the remains of the prep work that Hugh did before he finalized his portraits. He, like art students everywhere, learned to draw the face by bringing it back to its simplest form: the egg.

by Hugh Heimdahl

As Picasso said, "When you start a portrait and search for a pure form, a clear volume,...you arrive inevitably at the egg. Likewise, starting with the egg and following the same process in reverse, one finishes with the portrait."

Faces:  something we know so intimately yet we find so hard to draw. To try drawing faces, give these steps a try.

Technique drawing by Martha Slavin

With practice, faces become easier. Sitting at a cafe table, you could make a quick sketch of the people around you because you know where the elements of the face belong inside that egg shape. You will also refresh your geometry lessons to help you construct something that looks three-dimensional on a flat plane.

by Hugh Heimdahl

If you would like to see more of Hugh's work and to enjoy his quirky sense of humor, check out his website:

http://www.marineonstcroix.com/hughpage.htm