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.
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!