tips on drawing real-life portraits...help!

[squirrel17]

okay, so in my art class im drawing a portrait of Toby Keith...just to finally prove to my art teacher that i CAN draw! butl i have a few problems with his face such as his nose..when i draw it it looks mishapen and terrible..any tips on perfecting a portrait?  

[Luna Kitsune Kasumi]

I can't really help unless I can see it. But I'm sure they have people who help without seeing it so.. I hope you get your help before your portrait is due.
But if you like I can tell you how my teacher showed us how to, and basically it all up to how well you can observe and draw-- without tracing of course ^_^

Oh and try not to make the same topic twice  

[apiyo]

First, when your drawing like that you have to draw what you see. EXACTLY. what. you. see. and not make symbols based on what you think a nose looks like.

And in my art class my teacher taught us to measure the features. Like, measure how wide or long the nose is compared to some other part of the face and how far down or high the nose is. May I ask why your teacher isn't helping? Sure you can't draw, but that's what the teacher is supposed to be there for.  

[squirrel17]

thank you so much for the advice! and i have to say, the picture is a whole lot better!!! when my teacher gets done grading it ill put it on here.

by the way, i didnt mean to put in the post twice.....i have a habit of double-clicking and my computer put in the topic twice...  

[jessicurr14]

in addition to measuring the proportions, you should also always remember with drawing portraits, when you draw the nose, you use value, not line. i've drawn 2 portraits, & i'm getting ready to draw a self portrait. i'm still learning alot too, so i'm sure you got it pretty good. razz i've been in art for 3 years so if you have any questions feel free to ask. (: