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

[@MrRobots100]

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

[@mrericmendez5049]

Nikhil Udgata ffr🎨

[@huyanhbui7105]

Many thanks, I been tryin to find out about "pencil portrait tutorials" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you heard people talk about - Qonubrey Wenria Domination - (just google it ) ? Ive heard some unbelievable things about it and my mate got excellent success with it.

[@mrericmendez5049]

Any kind of tracing without a technique (studying) will only hinder our growth as artists. Thank you for reinforcing this concept. ❤️

[@yvancoel1280]

@Nikhil Udgata hey ,if anyone else wants to learn about easy ways to draw portraits try Skyarza Portrait Coach Star (Have a quick look on google cant remember the place now ) ? Ive heard some amazing things about it and my mate got cool results with it.

[@conradsmith9332]

Yep, after a bit you can almost get a mirror drawing with only your eyes.

[@TMokrowiecki]

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

[@huyanhbui7105]

Many thanks, I been tryin to find out about "pencil portrait tutorials" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you heard people talk about - Qonubrey Wenria Domination - (just google it ) ? Ive heard some unbelievable things about it and my mate got excellent success with it.

[@notpinky9259]

so blending is not a skill?

[@conradsmith9332]

Amen too that, good old traditional drawing done with only yours eyes and some graphite pencils.

[@Conda17]

I guess you didn’t see the brush used

[@theycallmezent9958]

11:53 , he said he barely blend but he still does.

[@martamontecillo623]

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

[@gwenpozen4950]

Let us know how it goes :)

[@AngelRenaissance]

no wayy sameeeee omg coincidence

[@spookyplum]

wow I’m doing the same for my dad! I hope he loved his gift!

[@Just_existing00]

Does he likes it?

[@baconftw11]

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.

[@bodenkree7053]

Rob Murphy I'm one of the people that starts my art videos with the outline already done. I don't trace and i don't use grids, I leave out the process of drawing my outline because it takes me an unexceptably long time to lay it down so all the video would be for that part is constant erasing because I don't achieve my desired outline all in one or two attempts. Which I believe no one wants to spend an unnecessary amount of time watching a video of me erasing my errors constantly, though I understand that that would allow viewers to be reassured that even a remotely realistic drawing takes time, practise and patiences and of course a few imperfections here and there to eventually get your art work to a point where I get with my art, however my videos are not for tutorial purposes so I don't believe I need to go through the full process of how I begin my work. However, I have been asked how to draw this and that, to which I do respond with a tutorial video on how I do it with the technique that I use ☺ I only wanted to share this because it seems as though you are pretty set on believing that most, if not all of the art videos that exclude the outline process are being traced or what not and I just wanted to let you know one possible reason why someone (me) does not include that process in their videos I also don't mean any offence either, so I apologize if that's how my comment has been approached

[@junoha6996]

for me as a begginer artist, i think tracing tracing can help since atleast itll help improve my understanding to how the lines should work etc, but day by day, trying to avoid tracing will give you a lot of challenge as an artist :D

[@GyreArts]

+TheIbdeathskull (Not a hate comment) Why u end with swag......

[@TheIbdeathskull]

Giovanni Tyre After I make strong arguments I like to joke around. The stronger the axiom or principle the more silly I become... philosophy swag. 🤔

[@toxicbones4210]

Oof, I suck at drawing portraits and my art teacher told me to start out as drawing grid lines first.

[@lu_lu0328]

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!

[@Benzyl_Penoxide]

This is inspiring. I am feeling quite discouraged bc I can’t draw a portrait at all and there’s all types of ideas I have for drawing portraits.

[@joynober]

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!

[@jasminbaumann6219]

That pencil is a weapon..

[@lucasmartins4960]

Yes This pencil is on fire

[@ZUNNI333]

And the brain the strategy

[@variableeddie8000]

Another good reason to constantly hold it up toward your subjects.

[@nikolabaitchev7094]

Of creation that is

[@teacuptea9155]

...so use it wisely

[@tomkennish3630]

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

[@hozida4554]

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

[@rev.marke.sanders1564]

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

[@Kedriann]

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!

[@FlorentFargesarts]

Thank you very much ! I will keep it up !

[@tokyorosa]

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.

[@benolip775]

How your drawing doing ?😂

[@benolip775]

@Sophie idk 😂

[@Miz2chocolat3sw33t]

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

[@krishna9080]

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. ❤️

[@plexoruselpuerco7193]

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

[@robertyoung406]

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.

[@MrPierref4]

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.

[@itzgachamizukipie2912]

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)

[@evinghostwrite7265]

You know when I was young I used to be pushed, thrown, bullied and hated for doing the things I loved - I told myself that I would never be like my predecessors when I grew up, yet as of writing this I feel the necessary urge to say: I am surprised you have a father figure. I understand and rightfully so I hate myself for it, for I don't appreciate myself for saying it, hell, I always dreamt the world without unneeded dislike, but yet I question if my adversaries would say the same. I guess what I am trying to say is, I apologize for the message I had bestowed upon you, I hope you can forgive me for it. Thank you and best regards in your future of skill of artistry.

[@coppleroses2077]

@@evinghostwrite7265 BAHAHAHAHA 💀

[@yeetuh]

Heyy ur 14 now, hru?

[@dmyn_]

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

[@etienneedward4449]

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!

[@jamesaritchie1]

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.

[@valzuman]

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

[@fnikitathomas]

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

[@FlorentFargesarts]

+fnikitathomas Thanks ! I would say that it took me 3 to 4 hours approximately.

[@katyai.2369]

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

[@MisakiChan]

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

[@chriswhitehouse8982]

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.

[@Kamikazee3]

This is literally the BEST drawing tutorial i have ever seen

[@marvelineous]

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 !

[@kayematildeposo2141]

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

[@kaykruse225]

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

[@alban1959]

This is simply a wonderful video. Thank you!

[@FlorentFargesarts]

+alban1959 You're welcome, thank you for the support

[@ShahanoorMamun]

outstanding drawing............!!

[@ashnikfield4224]

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

[@TheParerajeanmichel]

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

[@navanprince2210]

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

[@bronwilson2390]

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🤣

[@rammatsanuo6216]

beatiful journey for beginners

[@karthikgopan5824]

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

[@studioedin5288]

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

[@laragutierrez4610]

Came back to this video just so I could remember your tips on portrait life drawing. I was focusing way too much on scaling. I should've been drawing the model at its exact size on the paper! Reminder to self: Measure with my eyes and pencil. Don't measure on the flat surface of my model photo reference.

[@lella2201]

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

[@chanpreettsingh]

Best video to learn draw in accurate way

[@danielmcgowan4970]

Thank you Florent for a wonderful demonstration using traditional methods.

[@khaoulachatt7703]

thank you for sharing so many great tips with us ! i'm so impressed with your talent ❤❤❤ absolutly subscribing

[@FlorentFargesarts]

Thank you so much !

[@khaoulachatt7703]

Florent Farges - arts you're welcome 👍

[@owenslope6680]

chattkhaoula_ art I

[@susanwong6471]

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 💕😍🥰

[@mingmingtang9017]

The final result is truly amazing

[@kristinegfacebookmediabuyer]

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

[@readholic]

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.

[@user-gd8wh9ip7q]

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

[@loriegracefernandez522]

Hello, I came here because I can only draw anime style, but I can't draw realism very well. This helps me a lot..

[@ms.nachocheeseesmycheese6690]

why couldnt ny art teacher have been like you? for a teacher like you someone I can actually learn from. this was so helpful thank you

[@FlorentFargesarts]

Thank you very much. I am glad you found my videos helpful.

[@ms.nachocheeseesmycheese6690]

I do have a question. If youll ever take the time to answer. How do you find inspiration? A muse, if you will, I've seemed to have lost mine. Now I don't know what to do. Now when I draw I don't feel anything. Not the way I used to. I used to love drawing and the feedback wasn't bad either. I don't know what happened. But I want to find my muse again. How do I do that? Thanks.

[@FlorentFargesarts]

It never happened to me except for my sketchbook. I think that considering how much time and effort it takes to draw, you have to choose what to do. Now... I never had one day without several drawings and paintings in the making at the same time, but for a while, my sketchbook used to collect dust, because it felt I had more important things to do. It was mainly stress and pressure holding me back. I don't know if it's your case... What I did to solve this was to bring back the fun. Instead of just drawing portrait studies or preparation work, I started drawing fantasy subjects. Complete surrealist scenes, pictures of random stories I invented... It was just fun, so maybe this is what you need.

[@barunjena6171]

You know you are the OG when you are able to make 100% accurate realistic portraits without any guidelines.

[@momo9594]

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

[@zahrahuniverse]

Very good skilled portrait artist beautiful

[@walterbarnes8524]

Exactly what I've been looking for, thank you

[@rencat7075]

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

[@mim260]

GREAT TUTORIAL THANK YOU

[@duckie2876]

This video is still helping 6 years later

[@teacuptea9155]

This was the best drawing tutorial I’ve ever seen

[@19sem50]

best of the best.... tutorial... thanks for the tips ...

[@DrAdnan]

This is real skill

[@normancomerford6148]

Realism incarnate! Perfect!

[@coutotattoo]

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

[@fardeensaifi3001]

That's just amazing 🤍.

[@normancomerford6148]

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

[@NosyHausfrau]

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

[@artstone23]

thank u so much for dis tutorial..keepsafe godbless

[@crw9618]

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.

[@AnthonyTurnham]

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!

[@Amichae]

Nice tutorial, thank you. Love your channel.

[@rebeccaa9257]

Another great artist giving out helpful videos here on KZbin, fantastic.

[@tunasandwich4883]

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:))

[@floralynphea5491]

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.

[@pentachronic]

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

[@rehabrabi8077]

Amazing and super helpful video 👍🏽

[@kpopfanatics8531]

thank you for your advise to know the right measure of a person's face using your eyes

[@Soulserenity02]

I found i clicked on your vdo randomly nd i know i found what i needed what i wanted to find💖💯✨👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@danlewis7707]

Fantastic offerings here. So deeply appreciated! 😎

[@JessicaRodriguez-lw3rj]

I’ve always been good at using my eyes at school when we would use grids my art would look fake and rigid

[@sdj9776]

Merci Florent. Des astuces bien instructives et utiles!

[@rickyfargason8859]

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.

[@phyllisalexander960]

Very helpful. Thanks!

[@moupatte]

Straight to the point. Thank you

[@annadas2760]

Thank you so much!! This was very helpful

[@taimarishi7048]

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

[@devideigner5665]

👏👏👏👏you deserve a million

[@blackandwhite1756]

this drawing is so beautiful

[@DrAdnan]

Brilliant technical skill!

[@Lexgend]

I didn't know why my portraits were not that accurately.Now i'll use an easel.

[@celestefaaiuaso158]

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

[@daigans]

excellents conseils, j'ai découvert récemment ton blog et je dois dire que j'aime beaucoup. merci pour cette générosité dont tu fais preuve en partageant tes connaissances .

[@rosamondjourdan1487]

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

[@claireryan8074]

Formidable!!

[@COCOChatnails]

Woaw. Impressionnant!

[@TheUntubed]

Portraits are tough. Your great at this!!

[@Rcala10]

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

[@rbcrazydesigns3098]

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

[@Ubetsuforever]

Great!!

[@jimmycricket7385]

It's a skill. No doubt about it.

[@leonardobissoli7854]

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