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0 degrees front view head reference

Hard plane at 0 degrees. Compare the line drawing with the tonal study.

Head rotation reference, Hard plane, 0 degrees front view, line drawing
Line drawing
Head rotation reference, Hard plane, 0 degrees front view, tonal drawing
Tonal drawing

Drawing this angle

At the front view, establish the width of the skull before placing the face. Mark the brow, base of the nose and chin, then compare the spaces between them in this particular head. A light centre line can help you place paired features, but check each side against the drawing rather than forcing perfect symmetry. Notice how the cheeks narrow toward the mouth and widen or flatten again at the jaw corners.

Compare the level of the ear with the brow and nose. Treat those alignments as measurements from the reference, since ears vary in height and angle. In the line plate, follow the outer contour from temple to chin without stopping at individual features. In the tonal plate, look for the broad change from the front of the face to its sides. Try a small block-in using only that contour and three value groups before drawing the eyes.

See the full turn

Compare all four heads

Keep drawing

Try the free tonal sampler, or see the line and tonal studies in Head rotation volume 1.