Kevin Chen Head Drawing Method Hot Jun 2026

: Slice off the sides of the sphere to create a flat side plane. The angle of this "slice" establishes the tilt and orientation of the head.

: Apply a "3 or 4-value system" to organize lighting and shadow shapes, which helps transition the sketch into a painting. Why It’s Popular (The "Hot" Factor) How to draw a face | line by line VS construction

Think of the head as a sphere and the neck as a cylinder. This "x-ray vision" allows you to draw from any angle because you understand the volume, not just the outlines. Planes of the Face: One of the "hottest" parts of his method is the detailed plane construction kevin chen head drawing method hot

: Group shadows into simple, readable shapes using a limited value scale to define the form's volume.

One of the standout features of Chen’s anatomy teaching is his treatment of the facial features—specifically the nose and the eye sockets. He often teaches the concept of the "mask" of the face. Rather than drawing a nose as a separate object stuck onto the face, the method emphasizes how the nasal bone integrates into the forehead and how the eye sockets are holes in the skull structure. This results in drawings that feel "carved" rather than "pasted." : Slice off the sides of the sphere

Draw a thick, architectural shelf across the eyes. Think of it as a visor.

Chen’s method sacrifices some anatomical precision for speed and intuitive volume. It is particularly suited for and urban sketchers who need rapid, readable heads. Why It’s Popular (The "Hot" Factor) How to

It forces the artist to think of the head as a rigid, sculptural object before adding features like eyes and hair. The Core Principles of the Method