Drawing the Head for Artists

by Oliver Sin

Published 6 August 2019
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 covered:
  • Essential Materials & Techniques:Learn about necessary supplies and basic drawing techniques, including hatching, various stroke styles, and blending.
  • Applying the Essentials: Explore how the concepts of sight-sizing, value, negative space/shapes, and plane changes factor into a portrait’s underlying structure.
  • Techniques for Creating Depth & Dimension:Investigate how contrasting shapes, overlapping forms, and linear and atmospheric perspective are used to enhance depth.
  • Creating the Illusion of Three Dimensions: Examine how edges—contours as well as changes in value—are used to convey three-dimensional form.
 
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.

Facial Expressions for Artists

by Oliver Sin

Published 5 November 2024

Breathe life into your portraiture with this inclusive guide to drawing the full range of human emotions, from fear to rage, grief to joy.

An accurate depiction of a subject or character’s facial expression is the key to conveying their individuality as well as authentic emotion or mood. Written and illustrated by Oliver Sin, celebrated portrait artist, veteran instructor, and author of Drawing the Head for Artists, Facial Expressions for Artists:
 

  • Shows how the skull and facial musculature translate into the planes of the face
  • Covers subtle emotions like anxiety and irritation as well as unrestrained ones like exuberance and despair
  • Features models of all ages and a variety of facial types and ethnic and racial backgrounds

Whatever your skill level, and whether you’re drawing or painting an individual’s portrait or developing a character-driven story, Facial Expressions for Artists will inspire and inform you on how to successfully portray authentically expressive and distinctive emotions in your drawings.

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.

Also available from the series: Drawing the Head for Artists, Essential Human Anatomy for ArtistsFigure Drawing for ArtistsLife Drawing for ArtistsDrawing and Painting Botanicals for ArtistsDynamic Still Life for ArtistsLandscape Painter’s WorkbookPlein Air Techniques for Artists, and Sketching Techniques for Artists.