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.
Want to see another example using the same method? You can follow along with the full video below. It covers a different nose and includes a few extra tips.
What’s Next?
Now that you’ve learned how to draw a nose from the front, try the side and 3/4 view next! After that, try applying what you’ve learned by applying them to a full face!
Draw a Nose (Side View)
Learn how to draw a nose from the side view step-by-step using a simple, easy-to-follow construction.
Draw a Nose (3/4 View)
The 3/4 view is one of the most common angles in portraits. Learn how the form shifts as the nose rotates.
Draw Noses (3/4 Tilts)
Take it further by drawing the nose from upward and downward angles. This helps you understand how it looks when the head tilts.
Note: These nose tutorials use a slightly different construction than the Loomis method, but both approaches work and can be used together.
Place the Nose (Side View)
Learn how to place a nose on a face with correct proportions using the Loomis method.
See How It Connects in the Profile View
Understand how the nose aligns with the forehead, lips, and chin in the side view of the head.
Apply It to a 3/4 Face
Learn how to place the nose correctly on a 3/4 angled head using the Loomis method.
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.
Thank you for this!!! I’ve been struggling with my noses, but thanks to this they actually look good and nose like! :D
Good drawing keep it up
Love your tutorial, easy to follow
Nice tutorial so much information I am learning tons from you also love your eye tutorials thank you so much for helping me enjoy the art 😊
Good stuff but too fast. It’s easier to skip ahead than to slow down and play it over and over and try to figure out what you are missing. There’s no good argument for speed in a tutorial.
wow thank you very much
this was great
As a beginner I have learnt a lot, thank you so much for such a wonderful teaching
This is the best!! Love it
Thanks Darlene! I really love your tutorials and they make my drawing look better! i think that i am a pretty good drawer because i am the best drawer in all of year 3 ( i am in your 3 and i am 9 yrs old)! Thank you! but can you do a tutorial for how to draw lips or eyelashes or ears? And Annie is my nickname.
She has a tutorial for lips. I like her tutorials too! I’m 10.