Maya Angelou is a critically acclaimed American poet, novelist, and civil rights activist. However, she is also remembered as an incredible artist and her drawings remain popular among superfans. Drawing a portrait of the illustrious artist is something many find themselves desiring. To help, we’ve put together a guide to drawing Maya Angelou’s likeness in a few easy steps.
Firstly, start by sketching an oval shape for her face. Make sure to draw it large enough so you have plenty of room for details. Trace around it lightly with a pencil until you’re satisfied with the shape. Then, draw an horizontal guide line from the top of the oval to the bottom. This will help you keep the features in proportion.
Next, draw two vertical lines so they intersect at the center of the oval. This will be the face’s center axis. Along with the horizontal line it will help you place the facial features in their proper location. Then, lightly sketch in Maya Angelou’s facial features. Start with her eyes and draw them about halfway down the oval. For the nose, draw it just below the eyes and make sure it’s aligned with the center axis.
Afterwards, draw her lips just below the nose. Use the center axis as a guide for positioning them. For the hairstyle, start with her hairline and then draw a series of short, curved lines to fill in her distinctive afro-style hairdo. Finally, use a few more lines to add texture and detail to the hairdo.
Now your drawing is almost done. The last step is to go over your sketch with a black pen and add any finishing touches you feel are necessary. Following these steps will ensure that your drawing of Maya Angelou is perfect and that you’ve created a great tribute to this remarkable woman.
Know the anatomy before starting
Before attempting to draw a portrait of Maya Angelou, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the anatomy of the face. Knowing the locations, measurement, and shapes of the features will allow you to replicate them accurately on paper. This is especially important when capturing the proportions of Maya Angelou’s face. Drawing a simple grid on your paper is a great way to keep facial features in proportion.
To accurately depict her eyes, remember to make them about the size of a dime and slightly oblong and rounded at the sides. This will create her distinctive almond-shaped eyes. For the nose and lips, remember to draw them being aligned with the center of the oval. This will ensure that the facial features look realistic.
It is also important to draw the hairstyle correctly. Use sketches of Maya Angelou as reference points and look at the way her hair moves and curls. Also, remember to draw the hairline correctly. As with all facial features, make sure to keep it proportionate and in alignment with the center of the oval.
Don’t rush in the details
When drawing a portrait of Maya Angelou, it is important to take your time and focus on details. Remember to avoid smudging the lines or accidentally erasing parts of the sketch. If possible, avoid using tools like erasers, as they will deform the sketch. Once the sketch is finished, use a dark marker or pen to trace over the pencil lines, then add any details like shadows and texture.
To create realistic shadows, you can use the techniques of shading. Start by lightly sketching in the shadows and then gradually build up the layers with darker lines. Doing this will help you create a three-dimensional look in your drawing. For example, if you’re drawing Maya’s hair, make sure to draw in the shadows that would naturally occur on her scalp.
When it comes to facial features, focusing on details and small imperfections will help you capture her likeness more accurately. For example, curving the lips slightly to portray one of her famous smirks or giving the eyes a slightly mischievous glint. Even the tiniest detail can make a big difference and take your drawing to the next level.
Use references
When drawing a portrait of Maya Angelou, it is important to have references. Using images of her as a starting point will help you create an accurate representation of her likeness. Once you have found an image you want to use, study her face and take note of the angles, proportions, and details. This will help you create a realistic and recognizable portrait.
Alternatively, if you find using references to be too limiting, you can also use your imagination to create a unique portrait of her. As long as you stay true to the overall proportions of the face, you can create a likeness of Maya Angelou based on your own artistic expression. However, if you choose this route, make sure to take your time and focus on the details.
Also, remember to use sketches to build up the image before committing to a final drawing. It is helpful to draw a quick outline of the face and then fill in the details step by step. This will allow you to correct any irregularities and make adjustments if needed.
Be mindful of proportions
When drawing a portrait of Maya Angelou, it is important to pay attention to proportion. Facial features should be balanced in relation to each other and the overall shape of the face. To keep proportions in check, you can use a grid system and divide the face into equal sections.
To keep the facial features in proportion, make sure to draw the eyes about halfway down the oval, the nose just below the eyes and aligned with the center axis, and the lips beneath the nose. Similarly, when drawing her afro-style hair, make sure that the hairline is aligned with the center axis of the face.
Also, remember to compare the facial features with your reference images. This will help you make sure that the proportions of the face are correct. Measurement and accuracy are essential when it comes to realistic portraiture, so take the necessary time to get it right.
Use texture to enhance details
To make your drawing of Maya Angelou look more lifelike, pay attention to texture and details. Adding texture to the hair and face will make the drawing look more realistic and give it more depth. To create texture, use a variety of lines that portray the way the hair falls and curls.
For the eyes, use thin, curved lines to draw the eyelashes and the details of the eyes. At the same time, use thicker lines to define the shape of the brows and add any necessary shading. For the nose, draw short, straight lines to create texture and then use thicker lines to add shadows around the nostrils.
To create texture in the lips, use thin lines to define the shape of the lips and thicker lines for the shadows. Lastly, for the hair, draw a series of curved and wavy lines to create texture and volume. This will make the hair look more natural and give the drawing a more lifelike effect.
