There’s something really special about drawing humans. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been working with my lovely Art Club members on a portrait of a young girl, and I thought it might be helpful to pull together some of the biggest lessons we uncovered along the way.

Whether you’re just starting out with portraits or looking to take your work to the next level, here are a few golden nuggets

1. Start Light and Build Gradually

One of the most important things when drawing humans skin—especially soft, youthful skin—is to begin gently. Lighter layers allow you to sculpt the shape and structure without overcommitting too early. Use gentle pressure, soft colours, and a sharp pencil to build a base of values and tones before introducing detail.

💛 Top tip: Even when you know where the darker shadows will go, resist the urge to go in too heavy too soon. Let the drawing evolve.

2. Focus on Values, Not Just Colours

When you’re working on drawing a human portrait, the key to creating realism lies in values—the lightness and darkness of areas—not just the exact skin tone. Don’t get too caught up trying to match colours perfectly. Focus on the contrast between light and shadow, and you’ll find the portrait starts to pop.

3. Use Subtle Colour Shifts for Depth

Skin is never just one colour. What looks like “peach” at first often includes everything from burnt sienna to caput mortuum violet!

💛 Remember: Your pencil choices should reflect the depth and emotion of the piece—not just what you “think” skin should look like.

4. Eyes Are Everything when Drawing Humans

Take your time here. Use your values to create depth, capture reflections softly, and remember that the whites of the eyes aren’t really white—they often have subtle greys and blues.

And don’t forget: the skin around the eyes is just as important! It’s where emotion really comes through, especially with children.

5. Be Brave With Shadows

It’s easy to shy away from bold shadows. But well-placed shadows are what give the face structure and form.  If you’re ever unsure, step back from your work or even flip it upside down to see it from a new perspective.

6. Give Yourself Grace when Drawing Humans

There’s no perfect way to draw a face. Every stroke is a chance to learn. What I love about working on portraits is that they’re as much about feeling as they are about technical skill.

Sometimes things don’t look right at first—but trust the process, and don’t give up halfway through.

It’s like I always say: progress over perfection, every time.

I hope these tips help you in your next portrait! 

And for more top tips check out my “How to draw a Human Eye” workshop : https://bonnysnowdonacademy.com/workshops/