Secrets to Drawing Realistic Faces

by Carrie Stuart Parks

Draw amazingly accurate portraits starting today!

Even if you're an absolute beginner, you can render strikingly realistic faces and self-portraits! Instructor and FBI-trained artist Carrie Stuart Parks makes it simple with foolproof step-by-step instructions that are fun and easy to follow. You'll quickly begin

   • Master proportions and map facial features accurately
   • Study shapes within a composition and draw them realistically
   • Use value, light and shading to add life and depth to any portrait
   • Render tricky details, including eyes, noses, mouths and hair


Proven, hands-on exercises and before-and-after examples from Parks' students ensure instant success! It's all the guidance and inspiration you need to draw realistic faces with precision, confidence and style!

Genres: Art, Drawing, Nonfiction, Reference, Realistic Fiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 2002

About the author

Carrie Stuart Parks is Christy, Carol, and Inspy award-winning author, an award-winning fine artist, and internationally known forensic artist. Along with her husband, Rick, she travels across the US and Canada teaching courses in forensic art to law enforcement as well as civilian participants. She has won numerous awards for career excellence. Carrie is a popular platform speaker, presenting a variety of topics from crime to creativity.

Reviews

[Parka · Rating 5 out of 5]

(More pictures at parkablogs.com)

A little background first. Carrie Stuart Parks is a forensic artist and instructor. Her portraits helps nab bad guys. So I guess when it comes to putting "realistic" in the book title, she's well qualified.

The tone in the book is conversational and fun. "It's not how well you draw; it's how cool your drawing stuff is," she says about the first rule of art. Alright, I'm not too sure about that rule. Speaking of drawing tools, this book teaches portrait drawing using pencils, so it's a black and white portrait drawing book.

The tips and techniques she shares are concise and easy to follow. It's a very practical book and you should see improvements quickly while following along.

I must admit that I still can't draw perfectly realistic faces, but that's because I don't practice as much. The good thing is after reading this book, at least I know my problematic areas, and can concentrate on fixing them. So it's just a matter of practice and following through.

It's an effective book recommended to all levels of artists.

[Ariela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!

I enjoyed going through it. I'm a self taught artist and I've learned to draw by trying things by myself. This is actually the first art related book I've read, and I give it five stars because it has helped to guide me towards better results. I found there were many things here that I already did, but I'm glad to know that because I realize I'm on the right path. It gives great ideas on positioning and shading and... I'm soooooo buying that electric eraser right now!!!

[Loveliest Evaris · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best guides to drawing I ever read. I still use it when I'm in the masochistic mood to draw realistic people, and from this guide I can actually draw them! Sort of..

The only problem I have with this book is that I wish it would have gone more in depth with: Children, hair and shading hair.. Other than that it covers everything from noses to eyes to shadows and highlights.. A must-read.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this 4 stars just for the section on drawing from a photograph. I draw a lot from photos, just for fun, and I was glad to have found some interesting tips on how to approach the process, such as measuring, scaling, and using a grid. There are lots of interesting tips throughout the book that I have not seen in other art books, so for that it is definitely worth checking out. Great for beginners and also people who struggle with drawing noses, lips, and other parts of the face.

[Sonny! · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, there's words in this. And I read them. Now I know its secrets.

[Liza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could list a ton of art books that I love, but I'll just add this one because it was the book that showed me that I can draw the human face and do it well!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of good tips.

[Brian Hull · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so good for me, I got another one by the same artist to help me draw better.

[Kellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has me doing face's that where mediocre to AMAZING!!! LOVE it. Cant wait to finish my first portrait..

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the instruction and examples given in this book written by a criminal sketch artist.

[Arnaud · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent reference to learn the intricacies of drawing faces using a pencil. I've learned quite a bit from this reference, especially on shading techniques.

[Carol Apple · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want a good set of nitty-gritty get-down-to-business portrait lessons this is a great no-nonsense book. I learned some great tips and can't wait to start experimenting with them.

[Billy Milford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tips on proper proportions of facial features were quite useful.

[LODIS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great technique to drawing faces! I didn't even get how lighting works until now. Many Thanks, C.Parks.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insights into drawing faces. Wish there was more on shading technique, but overall a great read.

[Suphatra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great instruction book for more intermediate and advanced portrait artists who want to get their drawings all the way to realistic. I particularly liked the sections that broke down and explained how to draw specific elements of the face. Combine this book with Vladimir’s London’s guide and you will see massive improvements quickly.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

very helpful - stays on the art room bookshelf!

[Shang Xelil · Rating 5 out of 5]

nice book

[Nhung · Rating 3 out of 5]

There aren't many detailed instructions but I've learned a lot from this book.

[Leslie · Rating 2 out of 5]

i thought it had some good lessons but overall i didn't find it too instructional I prefers Draw real people by Lee Hammond.