Drawing Clint Eastwood

When it comes to drawing, the best results are from choosing a subject that is interesting. Who other than Clint Eastwood would be a more perfect selection?

I've been a Clint Eastwood fan long before Dirty Hairy existed! He was one of my childhood Idols, as well as now!

I found the reference photo in a copy of "GQ Magazine." The photo shows a great deal of detail and an undeniable "squinting of the eyes."

The very first thing you want to do is to get a good outline of the picture. There are number of ways to do this. Freehand is one, however there are other methods that are pretty easy. You can use a grid if you want a close resemblance. I sometimes use a grid or a ruler. If you follow the basic proportions of the face your drawing might look good, but NOT like the picture. We all have our own characteristics. Clint Eastwood has a very recognizable squint and shape of eyes.

I draw a light outline that I am happy with of the entire face. Once I get it finished I begin adding details starting with the left side. As I've described in all my other tutorials, I always begin on one side. The left makes the most sense because I am right handed. The pencil I work with has a dark lead and if I drag the palm of my hand through the pencil marks it will smudge the drawing. So begin on one side and work your way across.

When I start adding values to the drawing I usually begin at the ear, or someplace close by, I begin to darken the edge and adding shadows. To me it's like coloring a picture. You are just making it darker where it appears to be dark on the photo. Don't over due it! You can always go back and add more if you need to.

If you study the reference photo you will see areas of dark shadows. I treat these areas as shapes. I then sketch out the shape or shadow area on my drawing. Then I fill in the area with my pencil. If it needs to be darker, I darken it up. Don't forget to keep an eraser handy. I use the gummy kind. They remove the marks easily and you can shape the tip into a point for detailed spots.

Once you have some of the darker areas shaded the way you want. It's time to begin blending. I use a tortillion as my blending tool. I just smooth my pencil marks until blended properly.

Try and remember to think ahead when adding the values in your drawing. If you look at the reference photo you will see the details of Clint's eyebrows and hair. The eyebrows grow down over his eyes and the detail is vivid between the hairs. So you have to be careful on how you accomplish this task. I like to leave the lighter areas unshaded at first. I try and sketch out lightly where the hairs will go and fill in the dark areas behind the hair. Eventually you have things overlap and you have to clean it up with your eraser. It takes a great deal of practice, but when you get it down, you will be VERY happy with the results.

If you have comments, please leave them below. I also take requests on drawing portraits.

Here's my website http://www.soulreflectionsbyjeff.com/