Graphite Line Drawing for Portrait Sketchbooking
A course by Anaïs GonzalezIllustrator
A course by Anaïs Gonzalez, Illustrator
Discover dynamic ways to draw facial anatomy and improve your technique through daily practice in your sketchbook
A sketchbook is like a timeline of your artistic process, and with just a mechanical pencil and some anatomical knowledge you can see your work progress every day. Anaïs González uses her sketchbook to create expressive portraits, with fine features and sharp shadows.
In this online course, learn to give your illustrations eloquence and improve your drawing technique when representing facial anatomy. Create line portraits with two different degrees of graphite hardness in a sketchbook. Grab your drawing materials and find your own style!
What will you learn in this online course?
12 lessons & 22 downloads
Basic concepts to start a portrait: anatomy and perspective 1
12 minutes, 45 seconds
Basics to start a portrait: anatomy and perspective 2
11 minutes, 39 seconds
Synthesize the figure
5 minutes, 43 seconds
How to transfer a photograph to paper
12 minutes, 2 seconds
First sketch
11 minutes, 47 seconds
Medium shading phase
16 minutes, 23 seconds
What's included in this course?
Start the course by hearing more about Anaïs' career in the world of art and the influences present in her work, such as classical art and artists like John Singer Sergent.
After choosing your drawing materials, Anaïs teaches you the rules of facial anatomy and how to find models on the web for your portraits. Then learn to transfer the figures accurately to paper.
Now it's time to draw your own piece! Begin with a first sketch and do the shading. Move on to reinforce the darker tones to achieve three-dimensionality and add some final details to finish your work.
Anaïs gives you some tips to digitize your illustrations and edit your drawing, so you can share it on social media and wow your followers.
What is this course's project?
Create one or more line portraits, with two different degrees of graphite hardness.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Anyone interested in creating realistic portraits using the sketch technique.
Requirements and materials
You don't need any previous knowledge to complete the course.
As for materials, you need a sketchbook, one or two mechanical pencils, and an eraser.
Reviews
- 20 days ago
Ya tengo que empezar,,,,,
- 1 month ago
Jeg har virkelig lært nogle vigtige detaljer ift. at tegne ansigter, herunder anatomien, livagtighed og hvordan man får detaljer fremhævet.
- 2 months ago
I really did enjoy this. I have been drawing for a long time, and as the course started, I felt I had perhaps made a mistake. However, I stuck with it, and while yes, I can draw portraits, I really appreciated the method Anais used. I've never worked like this before and can certainly see a major benefit. She was so quick. I loved the guides used, much better than many guides of where to put x that I've seen before. Many thanks, and I highly recommend.
- 2 months ago
Anaïs Gonzalez se esmera en llevarnos a su mundo del retrato a lápiz con precisión y mucho atino. Nos despierta el interés conforme nos muestra su técnica y las posibilidades para avanzar a través de ejercicios simples. Muy didáctico y divertido.
- 5 months ago
Curso com técnicas interessantes e precisas. Gostei.
Her artistic identity is characterized by an expressive style and use of light through line shading. Her drawings have already found a faithful audience in her more than 300K Instagram followers.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- U2
Basic concepts of sketching and portraiture
- Materials
- Basic concepts to start a portrait: anatomy and perspective 1
- Basics to start a portrait: anatomy and perspective 2
- Synthesize the figure
- How to transfer a photograph to paper
- U3
Main project
- First sketch
- Medium shading phase
- Strong shadow phase
- U4
Record and share your work
- How to digitize the drawing
- Use social networks as a portfolio and for personalized orders
- FP
Final project
- Graphite Line Drawing for Portrait Sketchbooking
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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FAQs
The course is intermediate level, perfect for those who already know basic drawing fundamentals and want to deepen their skills in artistic portrait techniques and personal style development.
You’ll need an A5 sketchbook, graphite pencils or mechanical pencils in various hardnesses, an eraser, blending tools, good quality paper, and access to photo references. A camera or scanner is also recommended to digitize your sketches.
You’ll learn diagonal shading, vertical strokes, preserving highlights, and managing value scales to create volume and three-dimensionality in graphite portraits.
The course includes exercises and analyses of classic and contemporary artists, encouraging technical and stylistic experimentation to help you build a unique visual identity.
Yes, the course offers practical tips and exercises to help you overcome the fear of the blank page, focusing on the creative process, freedom, and embracing mistakes as part of learning.
Yes, you’ll learn to use grids, comparative methods, and anatomical guides to transfer photos to paper and accurately place portrait features.
The course covers basic head and face proportions, construction from front, side, and three-quarter views, feature alignment, and adapting to different perspectives.