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Drawing the Head for Artists: Techniques for Mastering Expressive Portraiture
Drawing the Head for Artists is the definitive modern guide to drawing the human head and portrait, featuring the classic mediums and methods of the Old Masters.
Written by celebrated portrait artist and veteran studio instructor Oliver Sin, this richly informative and beautifully illustrated volume leads readers step-by-step through his method, from establishing a point of view to applying the timeless principles for creating an accurate and expressive likeness .
Among the topics
Brimming with striking images that document all the phases and details of the author’s process, Drawing the Head for Artists inspires and informs all artists, from aspiring to accomplished, on how to successfully portray the physical subtleties and emotional eloquence of the human face.
The For Artists series expertly guides and instructs artists at all skill levels who want to develop their classical drawing and painting skills and create realistic and representational art.
Written by celebrated portrait artist and veteran studio instructor Oliver Sin, this richly informative and beautifully illustrated volume leads readers step-by-step through his method, from establishing a point of view to applying the timeless principles for creating an accurate and expressive likeness .
Among the topics
Brimming with striking images that document all the phases and details of the author’s process, Drawing the Head for Artists inspires and informs all artists, from aspiring to accomplished, on how to successfully portray the physical subtleties and emotional eloquence of the human face.
The For Artists series expertly guides and instructs artists at all skill levels who want to develop their classical drawing and painting skills and create realistic and representational art.
160 pages, Paperback
Published August 6, 2019
172 people are currently reading
245 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 13, 2019
Very disappointed with this book.He had not given instructions on how he achieved building layers and tones in his portraits, instead completed portraits were just labeled. It is not a book for artist! It’s a book to browse through his completed drawings, with brief instructions and descriptions on art materials. I was blocked by him on Instagram for mentioning this! :)
December 1, 2023
It was, in many ways, frustrating for me to read. This book was chosen by my book club to focus on improving our portrait skills.
While the drawings are magnificent and advanced, I must respectfully criticize his book. Oliver Sin's attempt to teach us the techniques felt incomplete and short with some errors that may confuse the artists out there.
For example, in the section on values there is a sphere diagram that shows the highlight facing away, sitting right on the edge as if it is directly dependent on the light source when it should behave more like a reflected light sitting at the right angle where the light source and the viewer meet, known as the angle of incidence, usually halfway between light and midtone, thus it is not directly correlated to the light source, but instead depends on where the viewer is looking at and moves with the viewer.
My best guess is that since Oliver does portrait work, he's probably often working with the skin on the matte side so the highlight isn't as strong. So the most likely scenario is that he has misidentified the highlight and assumed that it should follow the light source rather than a reflected light influenced by the viewer's angle. Or maybe it's possible that he grabbed a sphere diagram that looked good and didn't pay attention? He did, however, define highlight as "The brightest area on an object. It directly faces the light source," which leads me to conclude that the latter is not what happened.
And because of that, I could not take his writing seriously after that. Also in the last chapter, he said to use the forehead as a guide for placing the brightest highlights on the beard, but in the drawing, it's blocked by a dark hat. Why not say hat? Or perhaps his cheek? I find this confusing and careless, even clumsy.
Anyway, back to the point. Should you get this book to read and learn? No. Not recommended. Should you get this book to look at beautiful drawings and some materials to get inspired to start drawing with charcoal? Sure, why not!
While the drawings are magnificent and advanced, I must respectfully criticize his book. Oliver Sin's attempt to teach us the techniques felt incomplete and short with some errors that may confuse the artists out there.
For example, in the section on values there is a sphere diagram that shows the highlight facing away, sitting right on the edge as if it is directly dependent on the light source when it should behave more like a reflected light sitting at the right angle where the light source and the viewer meet, known as the angle of incidence, usually halfway between light and midtone, thus it is not directly correlated to the light source, but instead depends on where the viewer is looking at and moves with the viewer.
My best guess is that since Oliver does portrait work, he's probably often working with the skin on the matte side so the highlight isn't as strong. So the most likely scenario is that he has misidentified the highlight and assumed that it should follow the light source rather than a reflected light influenced by the viewer's angle. Or maybe it's possible that he grabbed a sphere diagram that looked good and didn't pay attention? He did, however, define highlight as "The brightest area on an object. It directly faces the light source," which leads me to conclude that the latter is not what happened.
And because of that, I could not take his writing seriously after that. Also in the last chapter, he said to use the forehead as a guide for placing the brightest highlights on the beard, but in the drawing, it's blocked by a dark hat. Why not say hat? Or perhaps his cheek? I find this confusing and careless, even clumsy.
Anyway, back to the point. Should you get this book to read and learn? No. Not recommended. Should you get this book to look at beautiful drawings and some materials to get inspired to start drawing with charcoal? Sure, why not!
August 5, 2019
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Drawing the Head for Artists by Oliver Sin is a technique and partial tutorial book aimed at artists and students of portraiture specifically for drawing the head and face. Due out 6th Aug 2019 from Quarto on their Quarry imprint, it's 160 pages and available in paperback format.
One of the things which impressed me very much about this book is the depth of the information provided by the author for achieving specific results (which are also illustrated in the book). He gives details about materials and tools selection and how to hold and use those tools to achieve the desired shading or values or effects.
The book follows a logical format and different sections are easy to find (there's an index included). The introduction (~14% of the page content) covers some very basic artistic philosophy and mostly very detailed specific materials and recommendations. There are sidebars with extra info interspersed with the artist's own astoundingly beautiful portraiture (see cover).
The next chapters progress through concepts and techniques, portraiture poses, facial features, depth and dimension, mood, children and elderly people, and alternatives for backgrounds and special effects.
This is a gorgeous book to look at. It presupposes a high level of expertise, and it might help to think of this as a master class. There is a short bibliography and materials list at the end of the book.
Five stars. Highly recommended as a source of inspiration. I also enjoyed seeing some pages from the artist's sketchbook in pen and ink. They were very fast and informal sketches and it heartens me to see that even an artist capable of the portraiture included in this book also has sketchbooks full of very fast and informal line sketches.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
Drawing the Head for Artists by Oliver Sin is a technique and partial tutorial book aimed at artists and students of portraiture specifically for drawing the head and face. Due out 6th Aug 2019 from Quarto on their Quarry imprint, it's 160 pages and available in paperback format.
One of the things which impressed me very much about this book is the depth of the information provided by the author for achieving specific results (which are also illustrated in the book). He gives details about materials and tools selection and how to hold and use those tools to achieve the desired shading or values or effects.
The book follows a logical format and different sections are easy to find (there's an index included). The introduction (~14% of the page content) covers some very basic artistic philosophy and mostly very detailed specific materials and recommendations. There are sidebars with extra info interspersed with the artist's own astoundingly beautiful portraiture (see cover).
The next chapters progress through concepts and techniques, portraiture poses, facial features, depth and dimension, mood, children and elderly people, and alternatives for backgrounds and special effects.
This is a gorgeous book to look at. It presupposes a high level of expertise, and it might help to think of this as a master class. There is a short bibliography and materials list at the end of the book.
Five stars. Highly recommended as a source of inspiration. I also enjoyed seeing some pages from the artist's sketchbook in pen and ink. They were very fast and informal sketches and it heartens me to see that even an artist capable of the portraiture included in this book also has sketchbooks full of very fast and informal line sketches.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
August 7, 2019
This book teaches how to draw portraits using charcoal. The author talked about what tools to use and described some drawing techniques (both in general and for using charcoal). He then gave tips for drawing the head in proportion from the front, side, and three-quarters poses. He gave step-by-step directions for drawing the nose, eyes, ears, and mouth in each of these poses. Then he demonstrated the start-to-finish steps for doing a portrait. He also gave a step-by-step demonstration for hair and for facial hair.
He also talked about why you might use different lighting angles (three-quarters, rim, top, side, front, bottom), ways to make a portrait look less static, and how to convey the person's personality. He gave tips about drawing hats, scarves, collars, hands, children, the elderly, and the differences between men and women. He also talked about how do draw using toned papers and suggested some ways to create interesting background textures. While this book is probably most useful to artists with some drawing experience, I'd recommend it to anyone wanting to improve their charcoal portrait drawing.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
He also talked about why you might use different lighting angles (three-quarters, rim, top, side, front, bottom), ways to make a portrait look less static, and how to convey the person's personality. He gave tips about drawing hats, scarves, collars, hands, children, the elderly, and the differences between men and women. He also talked about how do draw using toned papers and suggested some ways to create interesting background textures. While this book is probably most useful to artists with some drawing experience, I'd recommend it to anyone wanting to improve their charcoal portrait drawing.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
July 23, 2019
This is an exceptional Head Drawing Techniques book that will satisfy readers in multiple levels.
The steps are clear, precise and easy to follow. Whether as a beginner, an artist with some basic drawing skills, or a veteran artist trying to push one’s limits, as long as you are intrigued by portrait drawing, you will find inspirations in this book.
The wide range in nationalities is a visual feast for a modern world of global recognition.
This also serves as a portfolio collection of an amazing contemporary portraiture artist. Even just browsing thru the pages, mostly full page artworks, is satisfying. There are quite a few portraits, which jump out to me as timeless. I would have easily mistaken it as a page from the Impressionist, Realist, Victorian, Edwardian or Renaissance era. And this is a quality which I find truly intriguing.
The steps are clear, precise and easy to follow. Whether as a beginner, an artist with some basic drawing skills, or a veteran artist trying to push one’s limits, as long as you are intrigued by portrait drawing, you will find inspirations in this book.
The wide range in nationalities is a visual feast for a modern world of global recognition.
This also serves as a portfolio collection of an amazing contemporary portraiture artist. Even just browsing thru the pages, mostly full page artworks, is satisfying. There are quite a few portraits, which jump out to me as timeless. I would have easily mistaken it as a page from the Impressionist, Realist, Victorian, Edwardian or Renaissance era. And this is a quality which I find truly intriguing.
August 4, 2019
This book is full of both inspiring charcoal portraits and detailed explanations on everything from charcoal, paper, mark making, hard/soft edges, poses, lighting, facial features, hair, colored papers, male vs female profiles, children vs adults vs elderly, etc. There are 11 progression drawings with more than 2 steps each, and several more showing a basic drawing and then a finished drawing with explanations on how the results were achieved. I counted 108 individual portraits, but perhaps it’s safer to just say there are over 100 gorgeous portraits that should inspire and encourage the inner artist in everyone to break out the charcoal and start practicing. This is a book that will be handy to keep accessible as a reference during the journey to becoming a better portrait artist as there is simply too much information and too many tips to absorb everything in one go.
July 22, 2019
This book shows amazing drawings from a very talented artist. The book itself provides secrets and instructions on how to make a drawing more realistic. He uses many different ages, gender and nationalities to show the unique strengths necessary in each face. If you have a basis of drawing, this book is a definite to expand those horizons and take your drawings to the next level.
I enjoyed the step-by-step instruction, as well as, how to apply materials. Creating dimension using illusions is also covered. By using this process and each phase provided, your drawings go from amateurish to wow.
I received an ARC from Quarto Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book.
I enjoyed the step-by-step instruction, as well as, how to apply materials. Creating dimension using illusions is also covered. By using this process and each phase provided, your drawings go from amateurish to wow.
I received an ARC from Quarto Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book.
March 6, 2024
A dishonest book from one cover to another. It wastes pages on advertising the paper the author wants to sell. Was it necessary? Yes, for the uninspired author. It later wastes pages on hatching. And to make it more offensive, they put "for Artists" on the cover.
It turns out most of the book is not information. Most of the book is a showcase for the mediocre work of the author. The Internet is producing the same amount of soulless sketches at a pace of this guy's past and FUTURE output times ten in a second.
Should you buy this book? No way!
Should one read this book? Yea, if you have the time and it is free. A generic search on YouTube would give you far better results with details the author does not know.
It turns out most of the book is not information. Most of the book is a showcase for the mediocre work of the author. The Internet is producing the same amount of soulless sketches at a pace of this guy's past and FUTURE output times ten in a second.
Should you buy this book? No way!
Should one read this book? Yea, if you have the time and it is free. A generic search on YouTube would give you far better results with details the author does not know.
July 14, 2019
Drawing the Head for Artists is an interesting and informative read. The book offers excellent tips on all the necessary techniques for drawing features, blending etc. alongside some truly stunning artwork produced by the author. Sin's primary tool is charcoal, not graphite; however, much of his advice would apply to either medium and will still be of use to pencil artists. This is definitely a great reference work for budding artists looking to improve their skills.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 14, 2019
A beautiful book on portraits using mostly charcoal or pastel pencils.
I'd say this is not for a complete beginner as not much info is given as to how to construct the head.
I'd recommend this for intermediate to advanced artists who want to refine their charcoal portraits. Certainly this will motivate you. Absolutely stunning pieces throughout the book.
Thanks Quercus and Netgalley for the review copy.
I'd say this is not for a complete beginner as not much info is given as to how to construct the head.
I'd recommend this for intermediate to advanced artists who want to refine their charcoal portraits. Certainly this will motivate you. Absolutely stunning pieces throughout the book.
Thanks Quercus and Netgalley for the review copy.
July 14, 2019
I love this book. Unlike other books of its type, this one shows differing ethnicities and the ways to approach them in a realistic way. I can see using this book for many years as an important reference material.
December 20, 2020
Good reference book for artists, great examples and clear explanations.
It has a great deal of the information I was explained in artistic anatomy classes and tops it with tips and information about Oliver Sin personal end rich experience with portraits.
It has a great deal of the information I was explained in artistic anatomy classes and tops it with tips and information about Oliver Sin personal end rich experience with portraits.
October 27, 2022
Devoured this last night. If you love working on portraits, I highly recommend this one. He makes it look simple and there are many precious tips. He uses vine charcoal but you can certainly achieve some of his effects with graphite.
August 3, 2025
Fantastic Examples for Drawing!
This book has diverse examples to improve your drawing skills. I believe that is truly important for artists and providing representation for those who want to see themselves in your art. There’s also useful techniques to improve.
This book has diverse examples to improve your drawing skills. I believe that is truly important for artists and providing representation for those who want to see themselves in your art. There’s also useful techniques to improve.
July 18, 2019
Drawing the Head for America has great instructions and advice for beginners and students. This is a must buy book for artists.
August 4, 2019
Fantastic book on drawing portraits. Clear explanations, and stunning portraits throughout the book to inspire you.
August 8, 2019
Classic drawing descriptions with shading and blending concepts. Hair and wrinkles are touched on well. This would be good for someone getting into drawing faces and wanting a bit more direction.
July 18, 2020
Absolutely beautiful portraits, but for the intermediate artist already familiar with the rhythms and planes of the head.
November 28, 2020
Good book for all levels of drawing
The book reinforces techniques with good explanations and images. Very well constructed and a large variety of portraits for practice
The book reinforces techniques with good explanations and images. Very well constructed and a large variety of portraits for practice
June 6, 2025
Not a lot of helpful tips. Kind of creepy treatment of women as subjects. Skillful drawings.
July 29, 2019
I love this book! The pictures are gorgeous and diverse. The explanations are clear and the author walks through the process in detail beginning with a discussion of tools.
I read an ARC copy. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley! #DrawingTheHeadForArtists
I read an ARC copy. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley! #DrawingTheHeadForArtists
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews