Error in character painting: drawing nose, eyes, and mouth correctly

When you paint characters in Photoshop, it is crucial to capture the details of the facial features accurately. In this tutorial, you will learn how to avoid common mistakes when drawing the nose, eyes, and mouth. With valuable tips, you can learn how to significantly improve your observation skills and take your character design skills to the next level.

Key Insights

• Observe reality and not the image you have in your mind.
• Understand the three-dimensional structures of the face.
• Draw basic shapes for better definition.
• Pay attention to specific features when drawing eyes and mouth.

Step-by-Step Guide

Drawing the Nose Correctly

When you start drawing the nose, it is important to observe the actual object and not the image of it that you have in your mind. The nose you see in front of you may look completely different than you think. Often, you see artists recognizing the basic shapes such as nostrils and wings, but they lack understanding of the structure.

To achieve an authentic image of the nose, it can be helpful to draw it upside down or mirror the image. This way, the nose looks different and forces you to look closely. The result will usually be much more realistic.

Make sure that the tip of the nose is often rounded and the wings are clearly defined. Use these trapezoidal shapes located under the nose as a guide to represent the structure more clearly.

Every detail contributes to the three-dimensional appearance of the nose. Don’t shy away from sketching and refine your drawing by repeatedly comparing it to your reference object.

Representing the Eyes Correctly

Similar to the nose, many fall into the mindset that the eye consists only of contours. However, you must keep in mind that the eye is a sphere, which is reflected in its shape, light, and shadow. A good technique is to depict the eyeballs shaded to clarify the spherical shape.

Often, the eyelids are differently shaped and can vary. The key is not to focus solely on the lines but also on the formation of volume. Make sure that the iris is slightly cut at the upper and lower eyelids to create a natural effect.

Speaking of details: Don’t place too much emphasis on clearly defining every single eyelash. It is often better to use subtle shading to create the impression of eyelashes.

The Mouth: Male or Female?

When drawing a character's mouth, it is important to note the differences between male and female lips. Often men have less defined lip lines, while women focus more on lipstick and shape.

Ensure that the middle line between the upper and lower lip is the strongest. In men, the lip outlines are often pale and not as distinct, while they can be drawn more clearly in women, especially when lipstick is used.

With the help of lighting conditions, you can make the lips appear even more realistic. Under certain lighting, the upper lip may appear darker as it is angled downward.

Observe Your Surroundings

The principle of “correct observation” mentioned at the beginning remains an important aspect of drawing. Use the techniques of rotating and mirroring images to become aware of how the eyes, nose, and mouth work together in reality.

If you apply these methods, you will see that you develop a much better sense of the proportions and shapes of facial features. Work on sharpening these skills and gain confidence in your creation.

Summary

In this guide, you have learned important techniques to avoid the most common mistakes when drawing the nose, eyes, and mouth. Correct observation and understanding of three-dimensional structure are essential for developing your artistic skills.