How to draw a portrait from a photo and become more accurate for life drawing 

"...forget tracing paper,grid, projections or any geometric tools. The best tool is your eye". I became your fan from that line onwards

No blending, pure hatching and cross-hatching, amazing drawing skills...

I came here because i want to draw my dad and give it to him as a gift for his birthday. Well i hope he likes it

Bravo on not using tracing paper or grids or anything; there are so many viral(ish) videos on facebook of people drawing celebrities where they start the video with the outlines already done perfectly and mysteriously no explanation of how it was achieved is given, which suggests tracing or grids to me and I feel people liking these videos are being cheated a bit because rendering is only half of the challenge in drawings. I think almost anyone could trace to get an outline and shade over that to get a good result but they shouldn't flaunt it as if its some great skill, people like you developing their eye and a real skill at producing accurate proportions should be the ones going viral imho. P.s. I can't vouch for the mirror technique enough, the amount of times mirrors have shown me mistakes I hadn't noticed is unbelievable.

That pencil is a weapon..

I used to try and draw portraits SO MUCH in the past. I tried over and over again but none of the proportions ever seemed right...they all ended up as bad as the last. I came across this video and thought “well...it wouldn’t hurt to try” and I haven’t regretted watching it since. I’ve learned to draw portraits correctly and the drawings actually end up looking like the actual picture! Thank you so much!

I started portrait drawings in school a few years ago and I have to say, your explanations are way better than anything I learned in school. Thank you!

In the first three minutes it already resembles the person. Pretty cool.

I love watching you seeing. Before I draw, I must practice seeing.

This has been the most impactful video out of the 100s I have watched since beginning to draw and falling in love with it only months ago, for the first time at age 40. The techniques and narration of your thought processes behind all of your actions are so well explained. It is hard to find this. I watch more tutorials, read many books, taken many courses on an array of various interests I have had throughout my entire life, so please know from a devour of information and sort of "professional learner"(for lack of a better term)- you are an exceptionally gifted instructor. From experience I could tell instantly you have a rare gift for teaching and I thank you for sharing it. So helpful, thank you

I appreciate that he drew a normal man instead of choosing a super model

Well said.. when I started using grid lines... It took away all the fun while drawing. ...Sketching is not an engineering homework. I'm using my observations to calculate and draw a portrait. Although it's not completely accurate but with enough practice , I'm getting there. . But what most important is I'm loving the whole process of sketching. ❤️

This is the best drawing tutorial I think I have ever seen. I am excited to try this method to improve my drawing. I just subscribed. Thank you for these amazing videos! I hope to see many more.

i’ve watched so many videos on drawing portraits and none really resonated with me until this one. none of the other videos i watched felt like anything that could help me but this one is actually teaching me something so thanks !

best tutorial I've seen that challenges me to use my eyes and not rely on grids or measurement! I love your techniques, keep up the good work!

Another tip , you can measure using a knitting needle in one hand as well :)

I believe this is the 3rd time I'm watching this video, but I feel like I'm watching it the 1st time I love your lessons thank you!

you are so kind, thank you very much for you to share your technique to us 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 ❤️

Definitely, one of the best portrait drawing tutorials I've seen. You've raised significant points, which should help learners set off on the right foot: a) don't draw too large or too small b) keep the drawing level with the object c) concentrate on the larger shapes at first, without concerning oneself with details d) "take your time" ... and so on.

This is one of the best videos I’ve seen for this concept! I love drawing realistically and people around me do too! I want to get into drawing smaller photos instead of close up all he time. That’s why I watched this cause my friends want me to draw them both together and they are further away

This is literally the BEST drawing tutorial i have ever seen

i love how the drawing is appearing infront of my eyes in the beginning of the video!

1 year later from my last comment: Wow I've gotten pretty good at drawing portraits but that's because I rely heavily on the grid method + a proportional divider (I might as well just trace lmao). But this guy is on some next level. I hope to one day improve so much to the point there I don't need to even think about the grid method +proportional divider.

7 years since i started drawing , and i've watched hundred and hundred of tutorials.. well i guess that's the best one , amazing job, it's so clear and simple now , it looks obvious now that i've watched your video, instant subscribe, great job , keep up

Thank you Florent for a wonderful demonstration using traditional methods.

Thank you so much; I generally tend to use grids when I draw but I'm gonna try and use your method and improve drawing by eye instead of just focusing on getting as much detail into one square.

Until now I still do freehand because of this vid, it inspires me a lot ❤️

that's my problem, i tend to include the details in lining, i can't separate it from the lining.. thanks for this tutorial👍👍

This is fascinating. It's a wonderful take on drawing from a photo, and one I haven't seen in the fifty years I've been involved in the arts. I think drawing from photos is a good learning tool, as is using grids and other such techniques, but I've always believed these things should be abandoned as soon as possible because they can interfere massively when trying to learn the skills required for life drawing. Now, I'm also a firm believer in being able to draw from the imagination, and incorporating memories and plain old personal life experience, largely emotions, but also people, into the work. I really can't do this with photos, with grids, etc. Because of this, I stopped drawing from photos as soon as I could get realistic drawings on paper, with rare exceptions, often as a favor to someone, but every great now and then for the money. Favors I did two or three times per year, copying a photo for money was much less frequent. But your take on it really does add a new dimension, a new reason to use a photo to improve life drawing. Though there is one difference. I can't remember who told the story, other than it being an artist who was holding a life drawing class. The life model was a woman, if it matters, and the professor could tell one of the students, a male, was getting more and more antsy, and seemingly had trouble concentrating. He thought it might have been because this was the first time they had a nude model, but then the situation became clear when the upset student screamed at the model, "For God's sake, will you PLEASE stop breathing!" At least photos don't breath. Or sneeze, or cough, or yawn. I've had all three happen. It never bothered me, but it drove some of the students crazy.

Outstanding! I'm so jealous - in awe of your talent!

This is the tutorial I have waited for. I needed to change my thinking to improve my drawing. Thank you!

Another great artist giving out helpful videos here on RU-vid, fantastic.

I love this tutorial so well explained i have taken my art very serious past year and have been using grids but i wanted to get away from grid portraits and try and do it without this video has helped so much thank u

As an 11 year old I LOVE drawing,and I'm currently learning how to draw real life drawings I'm always amazed by people like my father draw so realistic and right now how you explain is really helpful so thank you (0w0)

The final result is truly amazing

Ce que tu réalises est extraordinaire, c'est un don du ciel...Vraiment bravo, tout est magnifique.

You explain things exactly how I see/understand things, it's so helpful! I don't think in lines, I think about how much space things take up, so that first step is so helpful, yet I always thought I was cheating by doing it for some reason🤣

Exactly what I've been looking for, thank you

Thank you soooooooo much! I was struggling so bad to make a portrait and it finally looks good, the great explanation made me know exactly what to do. Awesome video in general. :D

Fantastic tutorial on drawing portraits. Thank you! It's helped me tremendously.

Woah! I tried this technique and I’m really surprised how well it worked! Thanks so much for making this video

One of the best portrait video I have ever watched...

You have a really good eye, Florent. I usually notice stuff wrong but not with you. I'm very impressed with you.

This is simply a wonderful video. Thank you!

Awsome! I try to draw and paint using eyes only and I found out that easyest way for me is to just start laying out the middle values first as a shape, and then go with light and darks, so no detailed sketching needed, but takes some practice of course

Amazing drawing! Thank you for your detailed explanations. You make it very clear to understand - not that I think I can ever be as good as you!

Absolutely beautiful work, very informative! Thank you

Fantastic offerings here. So deeply appreciated! 😎

This is incredibly helpful thank you so much! And your drawing is so beautiful 💕

I see myself a lot in you in the way you draw... is crazy

Great video! Thanks so much for all the tips and demo.

You just earned a new subscriber. This was so helpful, your tips are awesome!

Florent, I love all your videos. Thanks so much for all these valuable tips. It's great watching your work evolve as the video goes on. I know you posted this way back in 2015 and probably won't see this.... but THANK YOU!

So much simple yet valuable information. I loved this. And look forward to using your tips. Thankyou

Drawing vertically has really helped me. I put a board on my easel and tape my reference photo and drawing paper right next to it too. I do not stand, however, because my legs get numb after about 10 mins of standing. I do sit in a rolling desk chair that does allow me to roll back and compare my drawing to my reference photo...really helps.

I never even thought about standing up! I agree that this is one of the best videos for drawing technique on RU-vid. BTW, how long did it take you to finish the drawing?

Thanks so much for this video! I've finally been able to draw decent portraits. They've kept me busy/sane during this COVID-19 shelter in

Great advice. I like your idea of splitting shade from light with an initial pass. I'll have to try that.

Lovely drawing. Thank you for the tips. It really helps me.

So inspiring, no unnecessary complicated panes explanation of the face structure- just practice and observe- I love the simplicity and clear explanation of how to draw- another great utube from you. I will practice as prescribed 💕😍🥰

Thanks for the information! This was something I've been missing on my road

ThankYou to shearing your art knowledge........😊

Best drawing tutorial ever, thank you sir

Easily absorbed info simply explained. Thanks for the book recommendation. Oh and lovely work.

amazing,only few people can draw like this,i like it.how to maintain exact proportions of eyes,nose etc,excellent..

Beautiful drawing. this video helped me a lot. thank you

Really helpful!! you are so generous to share this knowledge with all we as beginner artist or formed ones. It's clear and inspirational the way you demo this tutorial. Wish you the best!

Amazing video!!! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

Realism incarnate! Perfect!

merci pour la précision, la pédagogie, la systématique et de partagé votre savoir !

Nice tutorial, thank you. Love your channel.

Straight to the point. Thank you

Thank you so much for this! This is a wealth of info!

Look I learned how to do structure and all that I did pretty good at start thank you for that, I recognized how important that is, I left portrait for silly reason believe me 5, 6 yr ago but I'm now ready and I have a long journey .. I'm here just to say thank you.

Very good tips. Thank you very much for sharing this. Excellent drawing skills.

Portraits are tough. Your great at this!!

Excellent tutorial, massive help, thanks

I do portraits only with grid lines which turns out beautiful but im not confident without it. Thank you very much you gave me insipration :) Subscribed:))

GREAT TUTORIAL THANK YOU

Good tips and advice. Very useful. Thanks for sharing.

After watching your video I'm going to start drawing vertical. Make a drawing board and mount it on my easel. That way I can raise the drawing to standing eye level. Thanks you. Your work is fantastic!! I will have to try the mirror technique.

Thanks a million for this drawing. The info really helped most especially drawing in standing position.

Wow I use the same technique when using references. I'm nowhere near as amazing at drawing as you but subconsciously I have used this same technique from the start.

Thank you so much!! This was very helpful

Incredib work, I love your approach.

Thank you so much for this tutorial!

We have the same technique and discipline, but you have already perfected it, im still going there.

Merci Florent. Des astuces bien instructives et utiles!

Very helpful. Thanks!

That's just amazing 🤍.

Thank you. Amazing. Beautiful and useful.

Woaw. Impressionnant!

This was an amazing tutorial!

Amazing and super helpful video 👍🏽

Thank you for sharing. Beautiful instruction as are your portraits!

Thank you! You have amazing skill!

Best video to learn draw in accurate way

Brilliant technical skill!

beatiful journey for beginners

I always learn a lots of things in your video, and find out how to get my skill better! Thanks for your sharing!