Introduction
Hello and welcome back. In our previous lesson, we broke down the mouth into its underlying three-dimensional forms, focusing on how the lips wrap around the cylindrical structure of the teeth and jaw. This method of seeing complex features as simple, interconnected shapes is a core skill we're developing.
Today, we'll apply that same structural thinking to the final feature in our study of the head: the ear. At first glance, the ear can seem like a confusing collection of arbitrary folds and cartilage. However, by the end of this lesson, you will be able to sketch the simplified structure of the ear and its correct placement on the side of the head. We will demystify its form with a simple mnemonic and learn the key guidelines for placing it accurately within the Loomis framework you already know.
1. Where Does the Ear Go? Placement and Angle
Before we dive into the ear's internal structure, let's establish its location on the head. Incorrect placement can quickly throw off the entire balance of a portrait.
There are three key rules for placing the ear:
- Vertical Alignment: In a standard, neutral pose, the top of the ear aligns with the brow line, and the bottom of the ear aligns with the base of the nose.
- Horizontal Alignment: From the side view, the ear is located just behind the jawline, roughly in the center of the side of the head.
- Angle: The ear is not perfectly vertical. It tilts backward, following the angle of the jaw.
As you learned with the Loomis method, the head is not a perfect sphere. The placement of the ear is crucial for defining the side plane of the head.
The placement rule is simple but powerful, especially when the head tilts. Let's see a clear demonstration of this.
How to Draw Ears - Anatomy and Structure
The first part of this video from Proko, "How to Draw Ears - Anatomy and Structure," perfectly explains the standard placement and how it changes when the head tilts up or down.
Watch from 01:01 to 01:43. Pay close attention to how the ears appear to move up when the head tilts down, and down when the head tilts up. Also, note the backward tilt of the ear relative to the jaw.
2. Deconstructing the Ear: The "Y?" Mnemonic
The ear's interior looks complicated, but we can simplify it immensely with a memorable visual trick. Instead of memorizing a dozen anatomical terms, think of the main shapes as forming a question mark with a "Y" inside it.
This concept is explained brilliantly in the Proko video and its accompanying article.
How to Draw Ears – Anatomy and Structure
Let's start with the article "How to Draw Ears – Anatomy and Structure" by Stan Prokopenko. It introduces the core idea for simplifying the ear's structure.
Read the first two subsections, 'Basic Forms' and 'Just Remember “why?”'. Focus on the image that breaks the ear down into a question mark and a 'Y'. This is the most important concept for this lesson.
Now, let's see this concept animated and broken down further. The video will introduce a few key anatomical names that correspond to our "Y?" shapes.
The primary parts are:
- Helix: The outer rim of the ear (the hook of the "?").
- Earlobe (Lobule): The soft part at the bottom (the dot of the "?").
- Antihelix: The inner Y-shaped cartilage.
- Tragus & Antitragus: The two small bumps near the front opening.
- Concha: The hollow bowl that leads to the ear canal.
How to Draw Ears - Anatomy and Structure
Let's return to the Proko video. This section will walk you through the 'Y?' structure and name the parts, giving you a complete but simplified model to work with.
Watch from 01:43 to 04:34. Don't worry about memorizing all the names. Instead, focus on how the 'Y', the '?', the tragus, and the concha fit together to form the whole structure.
The key takeaway is that you can construct a believable ear by starting with a question mark shape, drawing a 'Y' inside it, and then adding the small tragus bump at the front.
3. Practice Drill: Sketching the Ear
Now it's time to put this theory into practice. Your goal is not a perfect rendering, but to confidently construct the ear's simplified structure from different angles.
For this exercise, we will use a worksheet that provides clear examples to follow.
Your Task (25-30 minutes):
You will complete three drawings. For each one, use a light pencil (like an HB) for construction and a slightly softer pencil (like a 2B) to refine your lines.
1. The Side View (10 minutes)
- Follow the step-by-step example at the top of the "Ear Drawing Worksheet".
- Step 1: Start with the main outline, the question mark shape. Pay attention to its backward tilt.
- Step 2: Lightly draw the 'Y' shape (the antihelix) inside.
- Step 3: Add the tragus and define the concha (the deep hollow).
- Step 4: Refine your lines and add a little bit of shading inside the concha and under the helix rim to suggest depth.
2. The Front / Three-Quarter View (10 minutes)
From the front, the ear appears much narrower, and the internal forms are foreshortened. The bowl of the concha and the protruding antihelix become more prominent.
- Watch this short segment from the "How to Draw Ears" video by RapidFireArt to see how the shapes change from this angle. Pay attention to how the oval guideline becomes very narrow.
This clip demonstrates how to construct an ear from the front, highlighting how the forms appear compressed.
Watch from 06:08 to 08:30.
- Now, using either the video's example or one of the foreshortened examples on the worksheet, try drawing an ear from a front or 3/4 view. Focus on the narrowness and how the antihelix ('Y' shape) seems to stick out more.
3. The Back View (5-10 minutes)
The back view is simpler. You mostly see the back of the concha bowl and the helix wrapping over the top.
- Again, let's refer to the RapidFireArt video for a quick construction guide.
This final clip shows the construction of the ear from behind.
Watch from 11:46 to 13:00.
- Sketch an ear from the back. Focus on capturing the 'cup' or 'megaphone' shape that Proko mentioned earlier.
Conclusion
Excellent work. You've successfully demystified one of the most deceptively complex features of the human head. By learning its proper placement and using a simple mnemonic to construct its forms, you've added the final piece to our facial feature puzzle.
Key Takeaways:
- Placement: The ear is typically aligned between the brow line and the base of the nose, and it sits behind the jaw with a slight backward tilt. It occupies the lower-back quadrant of the Loomis side-plane.
- Simplified Structure: The complex cartilage can be simplified into three main parts: the Helix (outer rim, shaped like "?"), the Earlobe (the dot of the "?"), and the Antihelix (the inner "Y" shape).
- Perspective is Key: The appearance of these simple forms changes dramatically depending on your viewing angle (side, front, or back).
In our next lesson, we will begin to integrate individual features into a cohesive head. You've now studied the structure of the eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. The next step is to bring them all together, ensuring they sit correctly on the underlying forms of the skull and look like they belong to the same person.