Well, I've mustered up the courage to post my first portrait WIP. I've never drawn a portrait so I'm feeling a little inadequate and overwhelmed posting here (I see other WIPs that are so awesome it embarrasses me to post).

So far, I've got my Bristol Smooth, a 1 inch grid, and a rough outline. I guess since others start with the eyes, I'll do the same (I really don't know where to start LOL). But, I'm an open book here and hopefully will learn something along the way.

[attachmentid=9151][attachmentid=9152]

Next post, I'll make sure the pic's are a little bigger (my drawing is 8 X 8 inches)

Well, it looks like your on the right path. Good luck to you!

Yep, good start. I couldn't draw a portrait if my life depended on it.
One tip other people keep saying is to put both the picture and the drawing on the same page, and compare the more subtle differences. You don't have to of course though.

Thanks guys (cantwin, Spuddy) for the encouragement. It means a lot. I "started with the eyes" and it was a miserable failure. Uhg! My little guy looks like an alien.

I dug up my "Drawing for Dummy's" book and found chapters on drawing portraits (both children and youth). After the line drawing, Brenda shades the large portions of the face first (in most all of the portraits in the Dummy's book). I guess I'll get out my eraser and try that approach. It seems like a good idea because you then focus on the light source and not the iris / pupil / eye lid etc...

It's an interesting learning process for me.

Thanks again!

The outline looks great. . . hope it turns out as you envision. Please post the finished product

this is looking like a FINE start, and I would love the see the next installment!!

Looks good to me - great start!! You are on your way! I look forward to watching it progress.