Portrait Drawing for Beginners -- Part 1 -- The Layout 

The point of doing it this way is teach you how to recognize reference points and observe proportions effectively. I personally I don't feel I've cheated myself in any fashion. If anything learning this method has helped me become a better freehand artist without the use of any tools. But with any learning experience the method used it is subjective to the user.

Thank you very much. I tried to draw portrait before but totally lost. I didnt know where to start. Your tutorial helps a lot. To the people who are mocking him, this one is for a beginner , not a professional artist. If you guys can draw better, good for you. With unprofessional person like us who begins to learn, his tutorial really helps. So make a better tutorial than him, then we can discuss. If you dont do anything better, then dont say anything.

Basically, what he did is create a proportionate composition window. Everyone here that is complaining is probably either A). New, or B). Frustrated. Some people use grids to start out. If that helps you, use it until you get the practice to be able to repeat portions without a reference. There isn't a need to complain - he's just showing you a way to draw what you see in a proportionate way. You all have a lot to learn, it seems.

Look at all these people talking down on this dude because he uses a divider. Not everyone is as talented as you, we get it. Some people just need different tools to achieve the result they want and feel god about what they've created. Art should be for everyone, and this way it is. So who are you to talk down on that and demotivate people? Stop being so damn negative. This dude i actually giving some amazing tips and the end result is amazing, as you can see.

I went to a Hans Heysen exhibition a couple of years ago, he was one of Australia's finest professional artists. To my surprise one of his incomplete works still had grid marks across the canvas. Famous early century artists often used their apprentices to contribute in painting a piece of work but as the 'master' was the teacher they'd sign their name only to the painting and claim it as theirs. Professional artists often use all kind of tricks - if it helps someone who would otherwise have great difficulty, don't knock it. As a teacher once said to me, at the end of the day it is all about enjoying what you do.

I've watched the entire series and I just wanna say THANK YOU! I've been learning proportions and basic shapes for almost a year, but I had real problems with likeness. This is a great method and it has helped me get unstuck. Everyone, yes art can be created freehand, but never be afriad to get technical. You can only reach limited levels if you never do studies, daily practice and trusty measurements. I was a hardcore freehand artist for years until I got fed with wonky imperfect sketches. At the end of the day, art is a skill and talent is only half the journey! :)

Seriously, everyone's being so snobbish about "not being a real artist" because he uses all these materials, without taking note of the "beginner's tutorial" part. I'm pretty sure he draw it without all these stuff, it's just that he's teaching beginners how to get the proportions. You can't do things perfectly at the start. He's doing this until you get used to the proportions. Stop being such a snob.

i have never been able to make a perfect portrait before, but i have never felt more confident than now i.e. after watching your videos Thank you so much

I'm seeing comments about the tools he's using. Some people use them to be accurate, some people don't. But for starters or "beginners" as he said, whether it's a ruler or something similar it's a good way to start off. Now if you're more experienced you may not need stuff like that, but however I think it was a good idea for him to use the tools so once again beginners can understand and learn how to get the precise intercepts needed! I free hand a lot of stuff meaning I don't put a piece of paper on top of another picture to get it to be accurate, you're best with just coloring in the picture and calling it yours! I used to do that but as I've gotten better at my drawing I don't need to. They are just guides to help you understand how to get certain markings and whatnot. I'm gonna be using his ways to try to be able to draw portraits or anything similar so I can succeed and learn how to do it without out any materials someday. Just the goal of a young artist that wants to get better and upgrade her talent!

These dividers are also helpful for double checking. Eventually you won’t have to use the dividers but it still helps to check afterwards to make sure everything is correct. Definitely a great tool for practice.

Thank you so much, this has helped so much. Since I first saw this video I've been drawing portraits for different celebrities, and I've been super proud of the results.

Thank you so much! I just started teaching myself how to draw and I found this video incredibly helpful! Drawing portraits can be intimidating...It's nice to know where to start! You rock! Can't wait to watch Part Two!

That great! I'm glad that this helped you.

Love your videos! I have watched these over and over again. Very helpful! Thanks!!

Why are these guys complaining so much?? Alright we know you are very talented and were just looking for God damn it art tutorials just by mistake but please let others live their lives too! Just like this guy there are many others who use different materials to reach perfection but that doesn't give you any right to complain about. And yes we'll be waiting to see how many of you all create masterpieces in the coming years.

There is certainly nothing wrong with that. I prefer a much looser approach myself. I teach this technique to help those that have never drawn a portrait before. One the hardest things to learn in portrait drawing is keeping the proportions correct. And if used correctly you can use this technique in conjunction with any freehand method to help you double check your measurements.

I think every method of pracitce is good, because at the end you still will be drawing in your own style... always.

Goodness. . .this is really quite involved. My high school art teacher never taught us this way, using all these instruments. Rather, she told us to use our forefinger and thumb, and estimate everything.

Super dope. I never though to do the method you shown at the end. Nice!

I watched all five videos plus a few of the others here. This are awesome and totally worth watching. If you're looking for accuracy in your portrait drawings this method will help you achieve it. The tools used are pretty common items available at any store. The proportional divider is available online pretty cheap as well, however, a compass will do just as well. Thank you.

Fantastic intro for beginners and up. Great demo on how to use the proportional divider properly.

I'm appreciative! I've been trying to draw forever and I do wish I was great! The more I learn, I find, the less I know

What ever it takes to get accuracy making it look real is what takes talent & skill.

I'm a beginner and you fit the bill ,just the teacher I need .I am off down to buy some extra materials and can't wait to learn heaps from you .This has been valuable information thank you .

No problem, I'm glad you enjoyed them.

We did this in art class, but she didn't explain it well enough like you did. I'm glad I came across your account.

this is a great tutorial the drawing is the most important part of any painting or drawing. Thanks

thank you for being AMAZING!

Great strategy! I plan to use it straight away.

I used this in my 2nd portrait and really got better results than before

Good tut Tom, I am going to have a go at it.

To all the negative commentators on here, the old adage holds true: "No point in being ignorant unless you demonstrate it." Before the Internet we didn't know how lucky we were to be oblivious to the fact we're surrounded by such antagonistic people. Instead of complaining and criticizing, why not send us a link directing us to your works of art? (No matter if you use a Proportional Divider.) Incidentally, if JD Hillberry uses one I'm sure some of you would benefit from using one too.

He's got some good tutorials as well. I defiantly recommend them. Believe it or not I actually started drawing that way when I first started learning. I use to be a drafter in a past life. It wasn't until later I stumbled across 5PM.

excellent tutorial!

I would say when your first starting out using a larger photo with good resolution will help you achieve a better result. As you get better you will become more adept to anatomy and be able to freehand hard to see items when it comes to the lower resolution references.

will try this tonight!!

Thank you so much for sharing this method. Tom.

Thank you so much sir for such a clear explanation ... Very useful

Thank you. It was very informative.

Its a good tutorial for a beginner like me . Im going to try this .

this tutorial is realy good but and if you wan to to do it in a different size?

omg thanks! It really helped.

Amazing.... Thank you soo much

very useful info ,thanks,

Sorry...I didn't finish that last comment. Was saying the more I think I've learned, the less I know...and with that said: new learning in all facets of life teaches one who want to learn, Something. Any method that helps meet YOUR goal, counts for success. Some people know just enough to always attempt to insult those who really want to learn! Thank you so much! Jimi

Thank You

thank you dude!

grt one .. its really helpful.....thank u sir...

Cool!!!

this really helped me with my detials

These are great just a lot to remember. I've seen a video to measure with pencil and then go to the paper. Idk guess if anything helps keep doing what your doing. :) What is the best pencil number to draw portraits and to color with?

Thank you very much foo tye idea!!!

Josh your doing a great job keep it up

I used to do portraits like this but its too time consuming. Now I place tracing paper on my paper with tape at the top and very lightly draw the outline and layout using the tacing paper as a reference. Now I can do a portrait in 2 hrs

THIS IS SO RELAXING TO LISTEN TO 🧘‍♂️

these really helps

This entire series was excellent. Did you learn the method you use from Darrell Tanks 5pencilmethod? You did a great job at explaining everything with details and examples. Best portrait tutorial on youtube.

AmazinGGG!!

Thanks!

Good job

superb I like this way :-0

i did not know drawing portraits was so technical. here i am eyeballing the lengths and distances

indeed that was helpful

Bit painstaking in the process, but it gets the work done and nicely too. Nice vids sir. I'll try to learn and absorb the essence, flow. Good day!

I put the link in the description. At the moment the divider is back-ordered. I have emailed the manufacturer to check on the status. I will let you know what I find out.

i guess this isnt aligned with public opinion (considering most comments) but i think this is pretty excellent, especially with all the effort you put into it. and its not the "cheaty" trace and transfer thing ive seen before.

I just love you so much right now

Now i know what im going to use bo need lot of lines just a devider ahaha.. Thank u sir it helps me alot.. Btw im just a beginner on portraiting... :)

Everyone has a different process for drawing. If one doesn’t work for you don’t be discouraged, you just have to find the one that you enjoy and is most simple to you, either way it’s just practice practice practice :)

Thanks for this most of the vids on here are already drawn out and there just shading and not showing you how they start the drawing .Im a self taught artist and was curious how some other artist draw there outline .

wow thank u

thanks

hi,usually how long time u spend to draw a portrait?

Can't tell if geometry or art??

Please explain how to use a proportional divider from a tiny picture to a large canvas. Larger than the proportional divider will spread.

super

besides measuring, can a portrait be achieve with a reference of a picture in smartphones, tablets, etc or I just have to print out the picture. Need assistance here please..

Is it possible to get get a copy of the image you used to draw this? I figured it would easier to follow if I am drawing the same thing for my first time.

Could you please tell me the tools used in the whole 5 tutorials? Thanks in advance.

i Like It

hi, could you please tell me from which brand your divider is? i would like to get the same as you have, but i cannot find it. Thanks a lot

thank you sir I was good at shading but my layouts sucks now my portraits are amazing

So many negative comments on using proportion divider, yet the results speak for themselves. Some the great masters like Durer, Vermeer, Ingres all used the proportion divider or grid system at one time or another to create works of exacting realism.

Can you or anyone please give some advice on sketching a face portrait on a larger scale like a wall. I am a beginner and can draw the layout of a person's face with the help of a reference pretty acurately.

What do they call that tool you are using thanks

thankyou :) what i dont get is whats wrong with the divider? he's a genius drawing in laymans term using it for everyone's sake

I ❤️ your accent!!

If you were going to make a copy with all the measurements, you may as well have used some transparent paper. Would have saved you a lot more time.

Hello thanks for video "draw portrait pt1". as artist/photographer for many years often use photo to paint an image enjoyed your programme believe a good starting point regards brian tisley

Good

thanks.but should i have to take the measurement of a single part of the face from the real pic?

You're doing the most.

where did you buy your divider?

this is harder than math

Drawing is my life

I want to learn to draw live subjects. any advice there?

I just started out doing portraits today and it surprisingly turned out pretty good which scared the fuck out of me

Caravaggio, Raphael, Vermeer, Velázquez, Norman Rockwell, Michelangelo, and hundreds of other famous artist used tools and projectors to get accurate proportions. So snobs go to corner for a time out. Lets see some portraits of yours done without any reference points.

Lol. Yes, the face has geometric symmetry. That tool can be used while looking at any object to gain reference and perspective, FOR BEGINNERS. Your right, professionals have learned already by sight. Allow the teacher to teach

"It's not an exact science." Hey, you said it. Not me