No part of the human figure draws more attention than the head. It’s the area we use to recognize one another. The features that incorporate all five senses are also located on the head. I give you a heads-up on the following topics:
✓ The head’s basic shape: In its most simple form, the basic head shape is essentially a spherical object that at first glance looks like an egg. As the figure matures from infancy to adulthood, the bone structures adjust to the growing proportion of the body in part by fusing together. I walk you through different techniques for drawing the basic shape of the head at different ages and from different views.
✓ Facial features: When you examine the head more closely, you’ll find that it consists of a series of complex interlocking bones covered with cartilage for the nose and ears and multiple layers of muscle groups that control the movements of the jaw and mouth. And don’t forget the eyes!
✓ Hair: Although hair consists of hundreds of individual stands, they cluster together in an organized fashion to form waves and curls (or they simply cascade down like a waterfall). I walk you through exercises that explore using different textures to add realism to the hairstyles and types without worrying about drawing every single strand (that’s an in-hair-ently insane task).
✓ Facial expressions: Our facial muscle structure is literally skin deep! Just the slightest twitch or reaction gives away the most subtle thought going through the mind (I, for one, have a terrible poker face!). However, these nuances make the face the center of attention in most figure studies. I describe the muscle structure of the face and give you pointers on drawing various facial expressions.