Mastering the Art of Drawing a Head from Behind- Step-by-Step Techniques and Tips

How to Draw a Head from Behind: A Step-by-Step Guide

Drawing a head from behind can be a challenging task for artists of all levels. Whether you’re working on a portrait or a detailed illustration, capturing the form and features of a head from this perspective requires a keen eye and a steady hand. In this article, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to draw a head from behind, ensuring that you’ll be able to create accurate and visually appealing representations.

Understanding the Basic Anatomy

Before diving into the drawing process, it’s crucial to have a basic understanding of the human head anatomy. When drawing a head from behind, you’ll be focusing on the back of the head, the neck, and the shoulders. Familiarize yourself with the following key elements:

– Occipital bone: The flat bone at the back of the head.
– Vertebrae: The spinal column, which runs down the back of the neck.
– Shoulder blades: The two flat bones that connect the upper arm to the spine.
– Clavicle: The collarbone, which connects the shoulder blade to the sternum.

Step 1: Sketching the Basic Shape

Begin by sketching a simple oval shape to represent the head. This oval should be positioned slightly higher than the middle of the paper, as the head is tilted backward. Next, draw a vertical line down the center of the oval to represent the spine. From the top of the oval, draw a diagonal line to indicate the tilt of the head.

Step 2: Adding the Neck and Shoulders

Now, draw a curve connecting the bottom of the oval to the center line, creating the neck. The neck should be slightly narrower than the head. From the bottom of the neck, draw two diagonal lines to represent the shoulder blades. These lines should be longer and wider than the neck, as they indicate the width of the shoulders.

Step 3: Defining the Vertebrae

To add depth to the neck, draw a series of short, vertical lines along the center line. These lines represent the vertebrae. The spacing between the lines should be irregular, with some closer together and others further apart, to reflect the natural curvature of the spine.

Step 4: Detailing the Head

With the basic structure in place, it’s time to add details to the head. Draw a slightly curved line across the top of the oval to represent the hairline. Below the hairline, add a few short, curved lines to indicate the hair. Pay attention to the direction of the lines, as this will help create the illusion of hair flowing over the head.

Step 5: Refining the Shoulders and Arms

Draw two diagonal lines from the shoulder blades, extending down towards the bottom of the paper. These lines represent the arms. At the end of each line, add a small, curved line to indicate the hand. You can also add a few lines to represent the fingers, although they don’t need to be detailed.

Step 6: Adding Shadows and Highlights

To give your drawing a sense of depth, add shadows and highlights. Draw dark lines along the edges of the head, neck, and shoulders to create shadows. Conversely, add lighter lines in areas where the light would naturally hit, such as the top of the head and the sides of the neck.

Step 7: Final Touches

Once you’re satisfied with the basic structure and shading, take a moment to refine your drawing. Erase any unnecessary guidelines and add any additional details, such as the eyes, ears, and nose. You can also adjust the proportions and shading to ensure that your drawing is accurate and visually appealing.

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to drawing a head from behind with confidence and accuracy. Keep practicing, and you’ll soon be able to create stunning representations of the human form from any perspective.