Hello! Welcome back.
In our last two lessons, you've successfully applied deconstruction techniques to man-made objects: first a building, then a vehicle. You've become proficient at analyzing a reference, identifying underlying simple forms, and constructing a "wireframe" model in perspective. The core process has been to find the largest volumes first and then progressively refine them.
Today, we bring that same mindset to a more organic and nuanced subject: the human head. The learning outcome for this lesson is to: Select a reference photo of a portrait and create a simplified Loomis-based construction drawing.
We will be building directly on your prior study of the Loomis method, but with a crucial new step: adapting the idealized model to the unique features of a person in a photograph. This is where the method transitions from a rigid exercise into a powerful tool for observation and drawing.
1. From a Generic Model to a Specific Person
You've already learned the fundamental steps of the Loomis method: constructing the sphere, slicing the sides, establishing the brow line, and dividing the face into thirds. However, you've probably noticed that very few people perfectly match this idealized template. People have longer chins, wider jaws, higher foreheads, etc.
The skill we are developing today is not just executing the method, but analyzing a reference to see how to adjust the method. The Loomis construction serves as our starting blueprint, and the photo provides the specific parameters.
Your goal is to create a construction drawing that captures the structure of the person in the photo. All of your underlying "wireframe" lines should remain visible.
The key is to train your eye to see these construction lines on any face you look at.
2. The Adaptation Process in Action
The process of adapting the Loomis method involves a series of observational steps before and during your drawing. You must identify the head's orientation in 3D space and then find the key landmarks.
The best way to learn this is to see it done. The following video is an excellent guide because the artist walks through the entire process of analyzing four different reference photos and building the construction for each one.
How to start Drawing a Portrait with the Loomis Method | A Beginners Guide
Let's watch a detailed demonstration from the Messer Creations channel. The artist clearly explains how to adapt the generic Loomis head to match a specific person's features and head angle in a reference photo.
Please watch the first two examples, from 02:11 to 18:25. As you watch, pay close attention to the artist's sequence of decisions: Finding the Angle: How does the artist first identify the tilt of the head and the angle of the eyes to orient the entire construction? Placing the Landmarks: Watch how they establish the brow line, then use it as an anchor to find the hairline and nose line. Adapting Proportions: Notice the practical trick of using the pencil to measure the thirds on the reference and transfer them, adapting the ideal proportions to the specific person. Building the Jaw: See how the jawline is constructed by connecting the point of the chin to the ear, which is anchored in the side plane.
Summary of the Analytical Process
As you saw in the video, the process is systematic. Here's a breakdown of the steps:
- Start with the Sphere: Lightly draw the main ball for the cranium.
- Determine the Angle: This is the most critical step. Look at your reference and identify two key lines:
- The Brow Line: This is an ellipse that wraps around the sphere. Its angle defines the up-or-down tilt of the head (pitch).
- The Center Line: This is another ellipse that runs from the forehead to the chin. Its curvature defines how much the head is turned left or right (yaw).
- Slice the Side Plane: Draw the oval on the side of the head. Its width is crucial:
- In a near-profile view, the oval is wide and almost a perfect circle.
- As the head turns toward the camera, the oval becomes a thinner ellipse.
- Establish the Thirds: Find the hairline, brow line, nose line, and chin. Use the brow line as your starting point. Measure the distance from the brow to the bottom of the nose on your reference. Then, check if the other sections (nose-to-chin, brow-to-hairline) are the same, shorter, or longer, and adjust your drawing accordingly.
- Attach the Jaw: Draw the jawline, connecting the point of the chin to the bottom of the ear, which is typically located in the lower-back quadrant of the side plane.
- Block in Major Forms: Lightly indicate the planes of the nose and the shapes of the eye sockets. This helps solidify the 3D structure.
Test your understanding!
You are analyzing a reference photo where the subject is looking slightly upwards and to their right (your left). How would you draw the initial brow line and centerline on your sphere? And what would you expect for the side plane on the right side of their face?
Show answer
- Brow Line: It would be a curved ellipse that arcs upwards, indicating the upward tilt (pitch).
- Center Line: It would be a curved ellipse that is shifted to the left side of the sphere, showing the face is turned away from the viewer.
- Side Plane: The oval for the side plane on the right side of their face would be quite wide and visible, as more of that side of the head is revealed to the viewer.
Practice Exercise (25 minutes)
Now it's your turn to apply this process.
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Find a Good Reference Photo:
- Search online for a clear portrait. Websites like Unsplash, Pexels, or Pinterest are good sources (try searching "portrait photography").
- Choose a 3/4 view similar to the ones in the video. This is the most instructive angle.
- Ensure the lighting is clear and you can see the structure of the face.
- Avoid extreme low or high angles ("worm's eye" or "bird's eye" views) for now. Also avoid profiles or straight-on front views, as the 3/4 view forces you to think in 3D.
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Analyze and Plan:
- Before you draw a single line, study your photo.
- Identify the angle of the brow line and the curve of the centerline.
- Mentally place the side-plane oval. How wide is it?
- Roughly check the facial thirds. Are they equal, or is one section noticeably longer?
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Create Your Construction Drawing:
- Follow the systematic process from the video and the summary above.
- Start with very light lines. Don't press hard. As the artist in the video mentioned, drawing is like dancing; if you misstep, you just adjust. Light lines are easy to adjust.
- Your goal is a wireframe construction. Keep all of your guidelines (the sphere, the ellipses, the proportional marks) visible in the final drawing. The drawing should clearly show how you constructed the head.
Conclusion
Great work today. You have successfully bridged the gap between learning a drawing system and applying it to the complexity of a real-world subject. This skill of analyzing a reference, finding the underlying structure, and adapting a model is at the very heart of deconstruction.
Key Takeaways:
- The Loomis method is not a rigid formula but a flexible blueprint for understanding head structure.
- The most important step is analyzing the reference to determine the head's angle (pitch and yaw) and specific proportions.
- The process is systematic: establish the angle with the brow and center lines, place the side plane, measure the thirds, and build the jaw.
- A construction drawing reveals the underlying form and is a valuable analytical tool in itself.
Next Lesson Preview:
In our next and final lesson, you will synthesize all the skills you've developed throughout this course. The task will be to create a simple scene integrating two elements (e.g., a person and a vehicle) while maintaining consistent perspective and scale. This will be a fantastic opportunity to bring everything together.