How to Draw a Self-Portrait

Let's face it (pun intended), drawing can be intimidating, especially when the subject is as close to you as, well, yourself. But you’re not alone! Many artists find the thought of drawing a self-portrait daunting until they realize how simple and rewarding it can be.

This guide is designed to strip away the complexity and introduce you to the joy of drawing self-portraits, no matter your skill level. We’ll provide you with all the tips and tricks you need to draw a self-portrait that you’ll be proud to show off.

So, grab your paints and a picture and let’s get started!

Getting Started

Like with any project, before you put brush to canvas you need to make sure you’re prepared. Gather all the necessary materials, like your acrylic paints. A pencil and erasers are also great for starting your outline.

Perhaps most important is your reference picture. Artists Network recommends choosing a reference photo that is large and clear enough for you to see all the important details and ensure the lighting isn’t obscuring anything. Another way to draw a self-portrait is by setting up a mirror for live observation – however, this can be tricky for beginners as the lighting and pose don’t stay consistent.

Finally, create a comfortable and well-lit environment. This will ensure you capture all the details you want, especially if you’re using a mirror to capture your likeness.

Basic Self-Portrait Drawing Techniques

Before getting into the intricacies of how to draw a self-portrait of yourself, it is important to understand the techniques that go into creating a self-portrait. It comes as no surprise that proportions are everything when it comes to capturing the human face. While you can make your portrait as abstract or realistic as you like, keeping proportions in mind is still key.

Binge Drawing offers helpful tips to help beginners accurately capture the layout of the face. There are eight key proportions to remember that can help you sketch an outline. It’s important to focus on the main frame of the face first before adding facial features like the eyes, nose, and mouth.

How to Draw a Self-Portrait Easy

Now, for what you have been waiting for. Here are some of the steps for how to draw a self-portrait using acrylic paint.

1. Prepare your canvas: Artists and Illustrators Magazine recommends applying a wash of diluted Yellow Ochre to your canvas before starting. Other common colors to use are burnt sienna or burnt umber for more natural lighting. This offers a nice base to work on.
   
   During this first step, you can also use a rag or paper towel to lift the paint from the canvas to begin creating general shapes of the face. If you do a preliminary sketch, you will still be able to see your outline.
2. Frame your face: If you didn’t use a pencil sketch, now is the time to focus on creating the structural frame of your head. Use straight lines here and don’t get bogged down in details. Instead, pay attention to the distances between features, for example does the bottom of the ear line up with your nose or top lip?
   
   If you have trouble with this step, it might be a good idea to place a piece of tracing paper on top of your photo to trace your features and outline your proportions to better plan for what you put on canvas. If you do use a mirror, you can create general measurements or a visual shorthand with your pencil or brush by holding your tool up to the mirror with a straightened arm so that the proportions are the same every time you go to measure or reference yourself.
3. Notice how your face interplays with light: Now, it’s time to add shading and texture based on the lighting of your scene. For a realistic portrait, you want to 'block out' the parts of the face that are in shadow and decide what your shadows, midtones, and highlights will be for your particular face. This will be different for everyone depending on their complexion and the lighting of the room.
   
   It's recommended to do smaller studies first to see which color combinations are the truest to what you're seeing.
   
   During this time, you can also block out the hair and background of your portrait. For hair, you need to think of the hair the same as the face, which is a series of forms affected by light. It’s best to keep your background simple to ensure the focus is the portrait.
4. Focus on features: Finally, it’s time to focus on your facial features. Pay attention to maintaining forms while looking for special lighting situations, like if there is any subsurface scattering of light, or bounce lighting on the face from alternate light sources in the room. These can change and alter colors interesting ways.
   
   Using a smaller brush, you can start to create more detail, including the eyes and how the light may be appearing on your skin. Use different brushes strokes and varying tones to create depth and texture through the hair.

Artist tip: Take a look at the bigger picture! Make sure to periodically step back and review your self-portrait to make necessary adjustments to proportions and details as you go.

Tips and Tricks for Drawing a Self-Portrait

Your first self-portrait may not be a masterpiece, but it’s a part of your art journey! Here are some more tips for how to master and learn from self-portraits.

• Practice makes perfect: Practicing proportions and portraits regularly can help improve your drawing and painting skills. You’ll notice improvement over time!
• Learn from mistakes: Every time you draw a self-portrait you’re refining your skills and learning new things about drawing, shading, and blending.
• Seek inspiration: Find inspiration in the work of others and incorporate different styles and techniques into your own work. From abstract portraits to hyper-realism, there are so many portrait styles to choose from.

Ready to draw your self-portrait? Shop our collection of professional-quality acrylic paints to bring your vision to life.