How To Draw Face in Procreate

Crafting a face in Procreate, armed with the right Procreate brushes, is not just about assembling eyes, a nose, and a mouth; it’s an endeavor to capture a story, an emotion, or a fleeting moment within the digital canvas’s bounds.

Whether you’re aiming to create a portrait that’s as realistic as a photograph or something more stylized and abstract, the journey begins with understanding the basic structure and then layering in the details that breathe life into your creation. 

Let’s learn the art of drawing a face in Procreate.

_{^{Start with a Blueprint}}

Open Procreate and choose a canvas size that feels comfortable for the level of detail you intend to include.

For the initial sketch, let’s mix things up and opt for the HB Pencil from the Sketching set for its versatile line quality.

Begin by drawing a vertical line down the center of your canvas to help ensure symmetry in your facial features.

Next, sketch a horizontal line halfway down your canvas for the eyes, ensuring it’s perpendicular to your vertical line.

This crosshair will serve as the foundation of your face, guiding the placement of all features.

_{^{Mapping Out the Features}}

With your blueprint in place, it’s time to start mapping the face’s features.

Draw an oval shape around the crosshair, outlining the perimeter of the face.

Mark the positions for the eyes along the horizontal line, ensuring they’re about an eye’s width apart.

Halfway between the eyes’ line and the chin, sketch a line for the nose, and halfway between the nose and the chin, add another line for the mouth.

These markers are your guides to proportionately distribute the facial features.

_{^{Sketching the Eyes, Nose, and Mouth}}

Dive into the details of each facial feature, beginning with the eyes.

Shape the eyes with care, considering the curvature of the eyelids and the roundness of the eyeballs.

For the nose, focus on the bridge’s width and the nostrils’ placement, keeping in mind the overall shape varies widely from person to person.

When drawing the mouth, pay attention to the lips’ thickness and the line where the lips meet, capturing the expression you desire.

_{^{Defining the Face}}

With the features roughed in, refine the outline of the face.

Adjust the jawline, cheekbones, and forehead, giving your face its unique shape and structure.

Remember, the skull underneath influences these contours, so consider the underlying anatomy as you refine your drawing.

_{^{Adding Color and Texture}}

Create a new layer beneath your sketch for the skin tone.

Select the Soft Brush from the Airbrushing set for a smooth application of color.

Choose a base skin tone, then apply it evenly across the face, blending as needed for a natural look.

Add additional layers for shadows and highlights, using darker and lighter shades of the base tone to mold the face’s three-dimensional form.

_{^{Refining Details and Adding Personality}}

Return to your sketch layer to refine the eyes, nose, mouth, and other facial features.

Enhance the eyes with pupils, irises, and reflective highlights to bring them to life.

Define the nostrils and the lips’ contours, adding subtle color variations to suggest depth and texture.

Consider adding facial hair, freckles, or other distinctive marks that contribute to the face’s unique character.

_{^{Review and Adjust}}

Step back and review your work, making adjustments as necessary.

Use the Smudge tool to blend harsh lines or the Erase tool to remove any excess marks.

Tweak the colors, shadows, and highlights to ensure they accurately represent the face’s form and lighting.

_{^{Final Touches}}

Once satisfied with your face, consider adding a background or additional elements to complement your portrait.

This could be as simple as a solid color to make your face stand out or a detailed scene that tells a story about your subject.

When your masterpiece feels complete, take a moment to appreciate your work and the journey it represents.

Drawing a face in Procreate is an exploration of human emotion, form, and beauty. Each step in the process is an opportunity to infuse your creation with depth, personality, and meaning. 

The goal is not just to replicate what you see but to interpret and express it in a way that resonates with both you and your audience. Keep experimenting, keep learning, and most importantly, keep creating.