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.
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Click here to download the PDF version of this tutorial :)
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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:
More nose drawing tutorials:
Drawing noses from the 3/4 view
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.
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!
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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