Portrait Gem #23

NOVEMBER CHALLENGE 🖤

Bonjour my little demon, ready to collect gem #23?

Whether you just joined or have been here from the beginning, thank you so much for reading.

TODAY’S GEM

Most artists can draw portraits with decent proportions, interesting storytelling, and accurate shading.

But here’s the truth: that’s not enough to get the wow effect.

Even when you follow all the rules and nail the fundamentals, your portrait might still fall flat.

Why? Because it lacks movement.

You can have perfect proportions, but if your portrait looks stiff, it will feel lifeless. On the flip side, even a simple sketch with dynamic movement can have a bigger visual impact.

The key is mastering the fundamentals and using them to serve the movement of your piece.

Here are some tips:

1️⃣ Exaggerate the tilt.

A slight tilt in the head can turn a static pose into something dynamic. Play with angles—don’t settle for a perfectly upright or symmetrical head position. Even a subtle change in tilt adds energy.

2️⃣ Find the flow.

Every portrait has a natural rhythm or flow. Look for curves in the neck, shoulders, and hair. Use sweeping, continuous lines to guide the eye through the portrait. Think of it like a dance—each line should connect harmoniously to the next.

3️⃣ Let the hair move.

Hair isn’t just an accessory—it’s a powerful tool for adding movement. Avoid stiff, blocky shapes. Instead, break the hair into flowing sections, letting strands overlap and follow an imagined breeze or gravity.

4️⃣ Pay attention to line rhythm.

The rhythm of your lines matters. Use long, flowing lines for soft, harmonious characters and sharp, angular lines for intensity or tension. Alternating thick and thin lines can also create a visual rhythm that keeps the viewer engaged.

5️⃣ Create tension in the pose.

Even in portraits, a slight tension in the neck, eyebrows, or jawline can bring life to your drawing. Think about how your character might feel in that moment—relaxed, intense, wistful? Let the expression and pose reflect that energy.

6️⃣ Use line weight to add depth and drama.

Vary the thickness of your lines to emphasize movement and structure. Thicker lines can be used for areas in shadow or to ground certain elements, while thinner, lighter lines suggest delicacy and movement. This contrast brings depth and keeps your portrait dynamic.

7️⃣ Break the symmetry.

Perfection is boring. Add subtle asymmetry to the features—maybe one eyebrow is slightly raised, or the corners of the lips aren’t perfectly aligned. These tiny variations make your portrait feel real and full of personality.

👉 Here’s an exercise to try today:

Take a reference photo of a static portrait and redraw it, exaggerating the tilt of the head and adding more movement to the hair and neck. Focus on flow and rhythm, even if it means loosening your lines or breaking symmetry.

Remember, movement is all about adding subtle energy that brings your portrait to life.

Let me know how it goes, and I’ll see you in the next gem! ✨

Bisous,

Léa