How To Draw Michael Jackson
72Michael Jackson Sketch
Start by finding an interesting reference photo
Drawing isn't hard if you follow a few guidelines and take your time.
The first thing you need to do is find a reference photo that is interesting. It makes the process much more enjoyable. Try and size the photo approximately the same size as the finished drawing. If it is smaller or even bigger you can resize it in the computer and then print it out.
The reason you want the photo the same size as your drawing is so you can compare the facial features and make sure they are in proportion. If you get the eyes off a little bit the drawing will not look like the person you have intended to draw.
There are a few tricks to getting a good likeness. Until you are comfortable with free handing the outline of the drawing, try using a grid which contains a bunch of small squares. This way you can get all of the important features correct. As your skills improve you can attempt drawing your subject free handed.
Lay out the outline
Start on one side and work your way over
I'm right handed, so I start shading on the left side. If you don't do it this way you will smudge your drawing before you are finished. I use a mechanical pencil with a soft lead. I simply look at the dark and light areas and fill them in on my drawing. If you see a shadow, just put it on your paper like the photo. Go lightly at first and gradually get darker.
Gradually add detail
Keep an eraser handy
I use a gummy type eraser to clean up my drawing. It doesn't leave the eraser particles and makes the highlights easier than a conventional eraser. I also use a tortillion or blending stump to smooth my pencil marks together. The combination of eraser and tortillion give you a nice 3-d look when you are finished.
Now it's lookking like the photo!
Make sure the shadows are right
Pay close attention to the light in the drawing and your shadows. Where the sun or light source are hitting the subject it will leave a shadow. Make sure it makes sense on your sketch and you have the lighting and shadowing correct. Don't forget you have a good eraser!
Almost done!
Finishing touches
The teeth, eyes, glasses and etc, all need to be correct. There will be highlights and you can create this affect using your eraser. Just erase where it is supposed to be white and you can add pencil marks to make corrections. I use a good quality of paper too, because cheaper paper will not hold up when you do a lot of erasing and shading.
Your almost finished
Look the drawing over good. If there are any last minute details, make them now. Compare every section of your drawing to the reference photo and make sure you have everything you wanted. Again you don't have to make it exact, just have fun and the more you do this, the better you will get.
After you have finished your sketch, get a can of spray clear and protect you artwork. You can also use any hair spray, it does the same thing. You don't want your finished art to fade or smear.
If you like my art tutorial, leave me some comments. I can be hired for private lessons by webcam for a reasonable fee. I also have a website if you want to get a portrait done for you or a loved one. Just go here
You can also go to http://www.soulreflectionsbyjeff.com/
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That's amazing, I particularly like the reflection on his sunglasses, as it reflects well the way you've drawn it.
I must have a go and do some of this type of stuff again as I haven't done any since art college!
Thank you Karen and Wayne!
Karen, maybe you should just try? You never know, you might have some artistry that needs to come out.
Wayne, I think that is what I liked most about the reference photo was the reflection on the glasses.
Impressive drawing. I went through a phase two decades ago (don't laugh) of face drawing from pictures. I turned the pic upside down and did it in sections, grid like. I drew a bit at a time and covered the bits I was not drawing so I wasn't distracted. Does that make me a bit dyslexic in the drawing department? They turned out better than I'd expected.
Hi Jewels
Don't worry, no laughing here!
Drawing with a grid is an excellent way to get a good likeness. I sometimes use a grid when I really want good detail. There are some other shortcuts too that make it easy to get a good likeness.
Of course it's the shading in my opinion that makes a drawing look 3-d and realistic. That part takes a lot of practice!!
Thanks for the nice compliment!!
THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
R.I.P MICHAEL JACKSON
Thanks Joey!
It's really helpful i've got some on this website : http://www.showmyfolio.com/candidats.php?candidat=
OMG i love michael jackson sooo much and when i seen your picture i fell in love with it straight away...you are so goos at drawing. i'm going to try and draw a michael jackson picture at some point aswell.but it wont be anywhere near as good as yours. i have saved your picture and it is on my mobile. ily michael rip
Emily,
I have a daughter with that name!
I just finished a drawing of her and posted it today. Thanks for the kind words! Just keep practicing, you might be better than you think.
That looks great, i'll have to give it a shot sometime. Thanks for the great hub :)
Sure thing Jackson and thanks!
He is so he! If you get what i mean! Niceeeeee!
Thanks that was what I was going for!!
... OMG its soo beautiful i envy you so much i am 13 and i drew this picture of michael from i think it was like a 2008 photo shoot its the cover of the book "unmasked" i drew it ok at least i thought i did until i saw this masterpiece and it would look so much better with shading and i dont know how to shade like anything and the nose for instance you dont draw a line where it connets i shaded a little there but it would look better other places too.could you please post some tips on how to shade so i can have a nice drawing like yours. i love it so much and by the way i love that pose and picture of Michael it is my favorite you are amazing!
How do you draw it
OMG!!! that is gorgeous just like Michael! We'll miss u forever Michael! PS- to all the haters- have you seen his childhood... don't judge him until you walk a mile in his shoes...
Hey i'm back again! I'm doing a project on MJ for school and I am going to try and draw this... I am good at art but i will have to try A LOT harder for this sketch! thx for sharing.... MJ LIVES ON FOREVER!
You are an awsome artist. Great hub.
thanks for the tips,I made my first portrait and I'm very pleased with it
PS do you haveany other MJ sketches I really love them you're great
Thanks everyone!
Karom I do have some another MJ drawing here
www.soulreflectionsbyjeff.com
Fantastic! Thank you for sharing that:) You captured his smile!
Loved drawing this one
i love him so much. why did he dieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Not sure why he died, although I'm suspicious about his death...I thought Michael was the most talented performer of all time
i wish i could draw like that im tryin to get some tips and copy from the computer then i dicovered your art work and its fantastic.
Thank you ayamba!
Just keep practicing, it will come for you!
Hey, Thanks! you see Im a young artist and wish to persue a art career. I love Michael Jackson, and this is a wonderful step by step process. I've learned new things! This is an excellent drawing of my idol. I hope some day ill be just as good as you!
Thanks Kelly!
Just keep practicing. love to see some of your work
those pictures of oprah and johnny depp on your website are so cool your amazing. truly!!!!! also the ones of your family and yourself.
Oh gosh. Michael looks so beautiful in that picture. I love it, its stunning.
Thank you very much Ayamba!
thank you cmonstahchik!
That's a beautiful drawing, well done!
Vucovic,
Thank you for your kind words!
buyatiful micheal jeksonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
Thank you bilall
I have been practicing sketching lately to enhance my skills but still I cant even draw like this. Great work.
Borge,
Let me correct you.
"but still I cant even draw like this" Change this to "but SOON I will draw like this!"
Keep practicing, you can do ANYTHING you set your heart to!
Thanks for the kind words
i dont like michal jackson but this picture is awsome can you do some more please i want to try and sketch them myself
and i whant to see all the ones youve done
tara,
Thank you! I have several places where I have my artwork. One is on my personal website http://www.soulreflectionsbyjeff.com/
Another place is on my facebook account. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Jeff-Agans-Artwork/124810287146?ref=ts
I will be posting another drawing hub today.
Jeff
that was the most help and it is a hot picture
Thank you
Great drawing and tips. Thanks!
Thanks Artisina!
michael jackson was da most talented being this world da world has lost a very talented man.
That is awesome! I wish i could draw like that!
i love michael jackson heaps!! :D
Ashlee,
Thanks! Perhaps you can if you take the time. It's not that hard
your welcome
i cant im not a pro. thats amzing how you do it!!!!!!!!
IM ONLY 13!!!! =D
Leslie,
thanks so much. I'm happy you love MJ, my daughter is only 4 and she loves him too
Oh my days! That drawing is unreal! You must really love drawing? You seem very passionate about it. I LOVE drawing too but I am terrible at drawing real-life pictures like that. I've drew picutres of Michael before but they don't turn out very good, it's a very hard thing to do, drawing real pictures. You seem to have mastered every aspect of drawing realistically. Well Done. Just as we all know, and he knew himself that Michael had a great great gift and heused it as best he could and was grateful for it, this is your great gift from God and it's good that you have discovered it, you should also use it as best you can and be very thankful for it. I will try and draw Michael again and hopefully someday I will come to be as great a drawer as you. Thnak you for the tips. xoxoxoxo
Sinead
Thank you so much for the kind words and compliments. I am sure, if you put your mind to it, you will be able to really improve in your drawing ability. Take the time and read blogs from other artist as well.
Good luck and thanks again
HI IM ASUNA,IM ONLY 11 YEARS ILD but i really LOVE MICHAEL JACKSON he was a DECENDANT FROM GOD preaching in a whole lot different way....i really want to draw this but i can only draw him duting his bellie jean(the one he was holding his pinis thingy) but i finally drew it, can you draw him during his MOON WALK!?please i really want to draw him again...i have draw alot of anime in my past but not realistic!!!!I REALLY LOVE HIS SMILE!!!!
omg thats so coll
Asuna
I do draw from requests from my website, thanks for your comments and here is the site address
hello,i just wanna say i love your sketch,its wonderfull,im try to sketch as good as you and thank you so much for sharing,erm lol you said you where a bit suspicious about his death...and im only 13 and i need you to help me,i know its crazt,i mean i dont even knoe ya lol but please,i looked at this web site,i dont know how i found it but when i did,it confused me alot and iv been crying ever since,the web site is www.michaeljacksonsightings.com it tells you and give you proof that michael is alive and he hoaxd his death.its pretty convinceing but you carnt belive everything you read or see on the internet.please help me by telling me what you thin but please look at this site first,its been a whole year since michaels death and im still crying every night and somtimes in day,i havent told my family about it because im a bit scared they will think im stupid and crazy,im sorry i know you not a help machine,you have helped me already with scetching,but please get back to me thank you so much and god bless xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
you have really helped me out i got an a on that picture
Thank you Mary and Monica! Your kind words mean a lot!
im only 11 and omg i thought that drawing was absolutly amazing and i drew that exact same pic but turned out as a crapy cartoon but sill ur drawing whoohoo i give it 1,000 thumbs up if there was any such thing!!!!
Thank you Kaylie, just keep practicing, you will get better and better!
i love u mj
I love you to chlo i have to go now lovely xxxx
shut up
wow i really like that drawing. it made me cry da first time i saw it.could you please send that picture 2 me. its gorgeous and cute.
kj0956 2 years ago
Sounds so easy. I'd like to have the patience to try drawing. Perhaps some day! Thanks for sharing valuable info. Great portrait of Michael.