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Drawing , Live Class Replay ,

Figure Drawing: How to Draw Faces

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Shelby Abrahamsen (Foxsy)

Class Description:

Nothing is more familiar to us as humans than another human face. We are hardwired to look at faces—but putting them down to paper is another thing entirely. We know that a face typically consists of two eyes, a nose, and a mouth, but how do you put it all together in a way that looks… right?

In this class, let’s explore the intricacies of facial anatomy, expression, and proportion, empowering you to create lifelike and expressive portraits. Whether you're a beginner or just looking to grow your portrait skills, this class offers valuable techniques and insights to help you capture a portrait worth a thousand words.

What You Will Learn:

  • In-depth knowledge of facial anatomy
  • Techniques for accurately depicting facial proportions
  • Ways to capture a variety of expressions and emotions
  • Shading and highlighting techniques to make facial features look realistic
  • Strategies for drawing faces from various angles and perspectives

Supplies You'll Need:

  • Sketchbook or drawing paper
  • Pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
  • Kneaded eraser
  • Blending stump

About Instructor

Shelby Abrahamsen (Foxsy)

Shelby is the co-founder of Foxsy and the creator at Little Coffee Fox. She is a professional watercolorist, letterer, and artist with a passion for teaching others to reintroduce creativity back into their lives. Shelby lives in Chicago, IL with her husband Jon and her pets Summer, Basil, and Korra.

229 Classes

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Class Details:

  • 📊Level: Beginner
  • ⏰Time: 2 Hours, 15 Minutes

Class Pass includes:

  • ✓Lifetime Access To Class

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Access Everything Foxsy Has To Offer

Be Part of the Foxsy Revolution

Join a thriving community of over 2,300 students, all united by a shared love for creativity. Together, let's paint a brighter, more creative future.

  • Access 311 classes with 250+ hours of content.
  • Work through over 400 lessons and 70+ projects.
  • Access the Watercolor Academy, Drawing Bootcamp, & Modern Lettering Academies.
  • Join weekly live classes.
  • Get personalized feedback on all projects.
  • Get real answers to your questions with Creative Support.
Access Everything Foxsy Has To Offer

Our Students Love Us

Trusted By Over 2,300 Students Like You

  • “As a total beginner when I started, I’m amazed at the amount of skill and knowledge I gained. There’s a wide variety of courses so you can’t get bored.

    There’s always another challenge in the next class. Really appreciated the personal feedback when I submitted projects.
    Janet G
  • “I loved the Watercolor Academy I learned so much and have developed self-confidence in my ability as a budding "artist "

    (I 'm still getting used to this lol)”
    Gail P
  • "This is excellent.

    As a chronic copier of other people's art, the tips offered here will help me with my own creative process and prevent the block that I feel with "what next"."
    Carol R
  • “The Watercolor Academy was a great experience. I learned so much and was able to get feedback on my projects along the way. I feel like I accomplished something when all was completed.

    I would recommend (and I have) the Foxsy Watercolor Academy to others wanting to try out watercolors or improve on their skills.”
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    The projects turn out very pretty, and the instructor feedback is quick and helpful."
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  • “Very good and useful courses for those that want to start or improve their watercolor skills”
    Boryana
  • "This was so helpful! I loved the way Shelby broke down the basics in a succinct way and tips to use while practicing. Lastly, I appreciated Shelby mentioning that everyone is going to have a unique bounce lettering style.

    As someone who is new to brush lettering in general, I've been copying a lot of what I see. I need that consistent reminder to avoid potential frustration, especially as a beginner!"
    Kelsey
  • "I loved this course. I loved how it showed the lesson and then a project that corresponded with that project.

    The explanations were amazing and helpful and I really felt confident in doing the project. This was probably the best watercolor lesson I've ever taken and enjoyed."
    LG Woods
  • "I really enjoyed this course. Instructions and examples were clear and practical and the feedback was really kind and helpful.

    It has improved my lettering knowledge and given me confidence to keep practicing."
    Nic

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Join a thriving community of over 24,000 students, all united by a shared love for creativity. Together, let’s paint a brighter, more creative future.

Monthly Membership

$29 / month
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All Foxsy Memberships include:

  • Access to the full 250+ class library
  • Access to The Watercolor Academy, The Modern Lettering Academy & Drawing Bootcamp
  • Access to exclusive weekly live classes
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  • Project feedback from Foxsy Pros
  • Unlimited creative support

Yearly Membership

$164 / year
Go Yearly

All Foxsy Memberships include:

  • Access to the full 250+ class library
  • Access to The Watercolor Academy, The Modern Lettering Academy & Drawing Bootcamp
  • Access to exclusive weekly live classes
  • Fox Den Community Access
  • Project feedback from Foxsy Pros
  • Unlimited creative support

Lifetime Membership

$599 Never pay a subscription fee again.
Get Lifetime Access

All Foxsy Memberships include:

  • Access to the full 250+ class library
  • Access to The Watercolor Academy, The Modern Lettering Academy & Drawing Bootcamp
  • Access to exclusive weekly live classes
  • Fox Den Community Access
  • Project feedback from Foxsy Pros
  • Unlimited creative support

Monthly Membership

$29 / month
Go Monthly

All Foxsy Memberships include:

  • Access to the full 250+ class library
  • Access to The Watercolor Academy, The Modern Lettering Academy & Drawing Bootcamp
  • Access to exclusive weekly live classes
  • Fox Den Community Access
  • Project feedback from Foxsy Pros
  • Unlimited creative support

Yearly Membership

$164 / year
Go Yearly

All Foxsy Memberships include:

  • Access to the full 250+ class library
  • Access to The Watercolor Academy, The Modern Lettering Academy & Drawing Bootcamp
  • Access to exclusive weekly live classes
  • Fox Den Community Access
  • Project feedback from Foxsy Pros
  • Unlimited creative support

Lifetime Membership

$599 Never pay a subscription fee again.
Get Lifetime Access

All Foxsy Memberships include:

  • Access to the full 250+ class library
  • Access to The Watercolor Academy, The Modern Lettering Academy & Drawing Bootcamp
  • Access to exclusive weekly live classes
  • Fox Den Community Access
  • Project feedback from Foxsy Pros
  • Unlimited creative support
All plans come with a 30-day Money Back Guarantee.
Cancel anytime in your dashboard.
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Foxsy is an art education platform with on-demand creative courses. It’s designed so you can explore and grow your artistic skills.

The courses contain in-depth lessons and step-by-step projects to fuel your creativity and give you the skills to create your own amazing art.

Here at Foxsy, we are working to build a platform where you can have everything you need to give your creativity everything it needs to thrive.

Right now, we are working on building the best collection of online courses around, so you have everything you need to learn the new skills you've been putting off (or help you dust off some old skills).

We're doing this by working with online creators who have been where you are. Our instructors have all decided to make their creativity a focus of their lives. To devote themselves to exploring their creativity and helping others do the same, and many of them are self-taught. Basically, they get it and can help you no matter where you are.

More than that though, we want to build a space where you feel like your creativity matters. We want to give you a community where you can work to embrace your creativity and give it space in your life.

Eventually, we want to change the world though.

That's a BIG want though isn't it? Well, it's the truth. We're working to make Foxsy a place where creativity thrives not only on an individual level but also a place that helps make the world a more creative place in general.

We want to support local art projects all around the globe, expand access to art education, and show as many people as possible that no matter what they've been told, your creativity matters and should be celebrated.

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We currently have several courses on watercoloring, lettering, and creative journaling. As we grow our course library month by month, we will continue to expand the range of subjects as well.

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Ratings and Reviews

5.0
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What's your experience? We'd love to know!
becky-parker-maynard
Posted 2 years ago
Live Class Review

I loved today’s class! Thanks, Shelby.

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runningwater
Posted 2 years ago
Live Class Review

This is the first class on faces I have ever taken. Shelby goes through step by step and makes it look so easy.

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LindaH
Posted 2 years ago
Live Class Review

Shelby is an Awesome Teacher She Explained Everything About Drawing Faces So Well Every Part of Drawing the Face was Easy to Understand and Follow Along with Her as she was Drawing I Learned some really Great Tips Also

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Lois
Posted 2 years ago
Live Class Review

Any of Shelby's teaching classes is the only source you'll need to become a more skilled artist!

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navyduck
Posted 2 years ago
Live Class Review

Thank you so very much. I have been told where to put triangles and other shapes before, but it didn't connect for me until now. By using the colors to signify the flat ish planes for each section, and then using the same colors in the next drawing, I was able to see that plane clearly and it all clicked into place. Bless you! So very cool. Can't wait to see next week's class. And this week, I will go back and do the eyes class. ? Outstanding class!!!

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kolina-winburn
Posted 2 years ago
Live Class Review

Great foundational class teaching proportions and where features and planes of the face are. Very basic but necessary information to learn how to draw faces well! Shelby really answers questions thoroughly and explains the complex concepts in an easy to understand way

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