Painting the Adult Human Head

Finally, be sure to look away from the various rules and diagrams and actually look at your subject. Often the shapes of shadows can be used to map the overall shape and details of a portrait. Squint your eyes and try to see the shadows that reveal the eye sockets as well as the "tab" of shadow is typically found under the nose. The upper lips is almost always in shadow. And a soft shadow across the plane of the cheek can go a long way to giving your portrait form and bring the painting to life.