Portrait Sketchbooking: Explore the Human Face
By Gabriela Niko
Overview
In this course, Gabriela Niko—Polish illustrator and sketchbook specialist—guides you through mastering portrait drawing using your sketchbook as your creative lab. Through structured practice in proportion, head structure, and facial elements, you’ll learn to draw eyes, noses, lips, and facial angles (profile, ¾, and front). By progressing lesson by lesson, you’ll sharpen your observational skills while cultivating a unique personal style. With downloadable resources and accessible tools like pencil, sketchbook, and photo-editing apps, this program invites you to track your growth and express your artistic vision with confidence.
What you'll learn in this course
Use and adapt your materials
Sharpen your pencil techniques and master shading and hatching for expressive line work.
Understand head structure & proportion
Learn the foundational rules of facial proportions to ensure realistic portraits.
Draw facial features accurately
Focus on essential elements like eyes, noses, and lips across different angles.
Create three portrait angles
Practice drawing profile, ¾, and frontal views to build a balanced sketchbook spread.
Present and refine your work
Photograph your sketches, edit them digitally, and present your final project confidently.