Don't Dread the Profile: Draw a Pencil Portrait with Kate Higgins

Get ready to dive into the architecture of the profile with pencil artist Kate Higgins.

This lesson is all about slowing down to study how a face projects into space, understanding proportion, value, and the grit of real-world texture.

Focus on the Foundation

The core of this session is mastering the profile view. Kate moves past the idea of a "perfect" drawing to focus on the anatomical journey, capturing the weight of the skull and the specific, unique protrusions of the nose, lips, and chin. It isn’t about achieving a carbon copy; it’s about learning to see the relationship between the features and the bone structure beneath.

What You’ll Explore

• Proportional Scaffolding: Learn to use a simple circle and projection lines to map out the skull and jaw before committing to details.
• The Three-Stage Value Build: Kate demonstrates how to layer graphite in three distinct phases—using a 2H for light, an HB for medium, and a 6B or 8B for those deep, soulful shadows.
• Capturing Character in Texture: Discover how to move beyond "coloring in" by using small, ragged circles and varied pressure to create the organic feel of dreadlocks.
• Refining with Light: Use your eraser as a drawing tool, pulling back graphite at the very end to find the highlights that give a portrait dimension.

Don't worry about "fanatic accuracy" right out of the gate. Instead, focus on the rhythm of your pencil and the way light sits on the page. As Kate reminds us, even if your proportions aren't "spot on," there is immense value in the practice itself.

Ready to sharpen your profile-drawing skills? Let's get started!