Here is a very simple step by step tutorial on how to draw a nose from the front view. Below is a diagram of a nose broken down into 3 separate parts: the bridge, the nostrils and the ball or tip. Breaking things down into sections will make drawing noses a breeze! We will first use simple shapes/forms as guidelines to construct the shape of the nose and to maintain symmetry.
I will be using the following materials for this nose drawing tutorial:
– Mechanical Pencil with 0.5 mm HB lead by Ain (If you’re a beginner, it may be hard to shade with a mechanical pencil. You can use a blunt HB pencil for a smoother shading and blending experience).
– Kneaded Rubber Eraser
– Blending Stump (Learn how to use one here)
– Canson Bristol Paper (smooth side)
How to Draw a Nose Step by Step
Step 1: Start with a circle
Draw a circle for the ball of the nose and 2 curved lines on each side for the bridge. Keep the strokes light so they can be erased in later steps.
Step 2: Draw simple guidelines for the nose shape
Draw a horizontal line through the middle of the circle and a diamond-like shape around it for the nostrils.
Step 3: Shade around the nose bridge and tip
Shade around the outer part of the bridge and around the inner part of the circle, making a long “U” shape. You will notice the shading is thicker at the top of the bridge. That is because the bridge of the nose leads into the brow bones. Don’t worry if the guidelines you created earlier didn’t blend in with your shading. We will darken the drawing later.
Click here for a tutorial on how to draw a nose from the side
Step 4: Draw the nostrils
Follow the diamond shape to create the nostrils. Now it’s starting to come together!
Step 5: Shade the nostrils
Shade the nostrils and remember to leave some areas untouched so you can do some highlighting later.
If you’re having difficulties shading, click here!
Step 6: Shape the nose
Shape and contour the bridge and ball of the nose. You can shade around the top of the circle to make the nose look pointer or shade the middle of the circle to give it a flatter look. Use the eraser to dab areas which appear too dark, any lines that show through or areas you want to highlight.
Step 7: Blend your shading
Next, you want to use a blending stump (learn how to use a blending stump here) to gently blend out the skin and give it a softer look. Add some touch-ups and go over your highlighted areas once more with a kneaded eraser. You can try different diamond shapes as well as circles to create more unique nose shapes. Experiment with shading to achieve longer, flatter, or more defined noses and so on. Click here to check out my tutorial on how to draw a nose step by step from the side.
If you want to know where to place the nose on a face with correct proportions, check out my tutorial on drawing faces!
Hey! This tutorial now comes with a video! If you haven’t watched it yet, click here or press play below! The video is very detailed and contains many additional steps, examples and techniques:
Enjoyed this simple nose drawing tutorial and know someone who will too? Share it with them using the share buttons below!
More nose drawing tutorials:
Drawing noses from the 3/4 view
If you love RapidFireArt tutorials and want to support what I do, check out my Patreon page where you can support RFA and earn cool rewards at the same time!
Darlene created RFA In 2013 with the goal of sharing simple yet detailed drawing tutorials with other artists on the world wide web. She is a self taught pencil portrait artist and Youtuber.
I love your tutorials, It is improving my art! Thank you so much! Maybe you could make a tutorial of drawing a dog.
Hi Darlyen! This is an amazing tutorial! I loved it! I love all of your videos! They help me so much! I was thinking that maybe you could give me some tips and pointers on how to draw eyelashes?
You are talented girl i like your way of explaination. So i hope you Visit my Website
http://www.3dvkarts.com
This was posted on my birthday! Also thanks for the tutorial.
this helps me thanks
Please I need help sent me your email or your Instagram
Absolutly amazing im 11 and this made my drawing look like a 22 yo person you should get money for this
Best teachings i ever got please add drawings of some wildlife if possiblE.
this was soooooo helpful thanks for the tutorial :):):):):):):):):):)
Thank you for this very detailed tutorial. It’s really helpful!
very good tutorial thanks for the tutorial best one i’v seen in ages and im a artist in my high school.. :)
it helped me with my homework to i had 5 SHEETS TO DO CAUSE I WAS ILL AND I GOT AN A ON MY WORK
Sweet! Congrats on your A!
Thanks! Your tutorials are best. You make everything in details and am able to understand. Please make a PDF book just like Lee ha!mind’s big book of drawing.
Thanks Prosper! I’m planning to put together a book in 2018 :) Before that, there are still a few topics that need to be covered such as the human body and feet.
Thank you so much for this tutorial! Without it, I would have never been able to draw a nose that didn’t look like a pig’s nose! Also, the tutorial was easy and quick for beginners like me! THANKS SO MUCH!! :):):)
I’m glad you enjoyed it Charlotte :)
Hi dear Darlene Nguyen,
I am just a begineer how to draw human face effictively and I really thanks for your guide.
You are just amazing.How can I learn more by watching video?Pls guide me, Thanks.
Thanks Nann! Unfortunatley I have not made a video for this tutorial yet. I’m planning to make it by the end of this year or beginning of next year.
Please I don’t know how to draw the left eye and the eyebrow and I can’t make my eyebrows look realistic I always end up shading the eye brows
Hi Vivian, I’m going to release a tutorial on drawing a set of eyes (open eyes) soon. Make sure to subcribe to the email list and I’ll notify you when it’s posted. If you want to learn how to draw eyebrows, visit this tutorial here :)
Hi Darlene, could you please tell me ho you erase the first, most basic lines you start out with, without leaving a trace of them in the end product? Is it a matter of drawing them very lightly? Or a technique to blending? Thank you! (By the way, I like how your tutorial shows the basic shape to start out with! – it’s helpful to see that.)
Hi Alissa, in the tutorial, I drew the lines darker than I usually would because they didn’t show up well when scanned. When drawing outlines, I draw them light enough that I can still see them.
Hi Darlene, I was so surprised by your quick response… thanks so much! I appreciate it!
nice tuts for art lovers. there is alot u are doing here so keep up and have a nice day miss/mrs
see u have to tell us if u are mis or mrs to reduce confusion. no offence have a nice day
Darlene, I am a musician working on some album art for what will be a free music album. I would love to use the nose you have drawn in the artwork. I want to ask your permission to use the picture of the nose. Full credit will be given to you for the drawing. Please let me know. Thank you!
Hey that’s cool! You can use the photo as long as this credit includes my full name and website :)
Would love to hear your music!
Thanks for posting all these they are wonderful and I would like to hear your music as well Daniel
I am so sad I am trying to sketch a beautiful girl but I think its impossible
Hi it so easy to watch. But difficult to do as you. I wish to draw nose of actress Nayanthara. Can you help me in this reg. Thanks in advance
If we keep on following what you are sharing and teaching us, I think we readers – and wanna be artists will get a lot better in no time. Obliged to make that comment ;)
this taught me something i thought i would nevvvvvvvvvvvvvvver be good at. ur work is pretty good. have a good life, lady.
Its the easiest and best tutorial I’ve used, I’m amazed! I got a really good drawing first time!
Thank You.
That’s awesome Marie! Your comment made my day :) Thank you!
worst tutorial ever! i tried to do it but it ended up looking dirty…
Hi Anthony, perhaps you’d be interested in my shading tutorial. It’s a guide that takes you through the basics of shading and covers various techniques and even ways to hold a pencil for a smooth, polished outcome.
thanks darlene! ill be sure to try it!
[…] facial features to make look realistic when you’re just starting – take some tips from Rapid Fire Art, who show you how to get from nothing to nose, in no time at […]
This helps a lot. Thank you.
amazing! i try to draw noses and they always end up looking anime!!!
looks gr8, i tried to draw like that and i completely failed
Great tutorial, actually the best I´ve seen about drawing the nose en face! Thanks!!!!
Thanks Erica! :)
This really helped me with my art homework. Thank you!!!
very nice drawing man i wish i could draw like that
Thank you very much.Never knew drawing could be so interesting and easy..please can you do a tutorial on how to draw a croquis(model for dresses)…I would be very glad if you can..
Hi Layo! I think I can incorporate some poses into a future full body tutorial :)
Thank you so much you really helped me with drawing faces!!! :) ;)
Thank you so much u really helped me!! :)
Would it be okay to send you an email of some drawings of eyes/nose’s to get some criticism/feedback on how to improve them?
I’ve just recently gotten into doing life drawings again and am looking to improve in any way I can and I can clearly see here that you’re pretty dang good!
Of course Mark :) Here’s my email rapidfireart@outlook.com
Looking forward to receiving your email!
I am following your tutorial over the holiday
Plese check your mail THX!
That’s great Molli!
I didn’t receive your email. Here’s my email address again if you want to resend :) rapidfireart@outlook.com
Merry Christmas!
you make it look so easy!
Ikr
Easy to follow and easy to understand but what I drew looks like chicken scratch compared to your drawing.
Can you make a how to draw hair post? I really like your tutorials they are easy to follow and the drawings are terrific! Thank you in advanced!!
Thanks Nicole! I am going to make new tutorials soon. Thanks for the suggestion!
I found your blog on Pinterest! Thank you for the fantastic tutorials!
Thanks for stopping by Carli!!
This is okay compared to the eye
Glad I could help :)
I struggle with drawing noses no matter what view they are in. I think by breaking it down the way you did I might be able to get better at it. I usually do it as one and it comes out looking like a boxer’s nose!