Facial proportions can vary according to ethnic background and gender. Traditionally men have more
angular faces and more pronounced brow just above the eyebrow line. Examine the images shown to see
how the eyes fall in the middle of the entire skull, between the tip of the head and chin. In-between the
eyes is a space equal to the width of one of the eyes. Halfway between the eyes and the tip of the chin is
the line where the mouth opening will fall. Although the model on the left is a young adult female the
proportions are the same as an adult. Her features are simply softer and less angular than what would be
found in an older mature looking individual.

Remember these are merely guidelines and will need to be adjusted to fit the subject that you are depicting.
Below is that of a middle aged male’s profile. When you are drawing a subject keep in mind where
your light source is coming from. The same rules apply to drawing a human being as to drawing anything
else. The trick is to be objective and to over romanticize, draw what you see and not what you
‘think’ you are seeing. Look at the subject carefully and try to look at the person you are drawing more
then the paper you are drawing on. Always work from life whenever possible, if you can not find a
model or do not feel comfortable doing so as of yet, simply use a mirror and do a self portrait.