Drawing the Head & Neck (Online Course) Spring 2027 w/ James Otto Allen

May 1 to May 29 (Saturdays), 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Eastern Time

**All sessions are live and will be recorded, students do not have to be present. All recordings will be available to students for 3 months after the final session, after 3 months the recording will be deleted.

Please check your email spam/junk folder for your Zoom invite. Our business hours are 10:00 AM through 5:00 PM. All course information and email correspondence will be sent during business hours. If students purchase a course, workshop, demo or recording outside business hours or during the weekend the course information or recording will be sent the following business day.

Course Description

Learn to draw convincing heads and necks by understanding the structures beneath the surface. Across five live classes, we will simplify the skull, facial features, muscles and neck attachments into clear, practical forms that can be applied when drawing a person from different angles. Through live demonstrations, guided exercises and individual feedback, students will develop a repeatable method for constructing the head rather than relying upon copying outlines.

The course is suitable for all levels. Beginners will be guided through the process step by step, while more experienced artists can use the course to strengthen the structure, expression and three-dimensional quality of their portrait drawings.

By the end of the five weeks, students will understand how the skull, facial features and neck fit together and will apply the complete process to a sustained head-and-neck drawing.

Course Outline

Week 1 - Constructing the Head and Skull

We will begin by simplifying the head and skull into clear three-dimensional masses. Students will learn the principal proportions and anatomical landmarks of the skull and practise constructing the head in front, profile and three-quarter views.

Week 2 - Understanding the Facial Features

We will examine the eye sockets and eyeballs, nose, mouth, jaw and ears as three-dimensional structures rather than flat symbols. Students will practise placing the features correctly and maintaining their alignment when the head turns or tilts.

Week 3 - Facial Muscles, Surface Forms and Expression

We will study the principal muscles and soft forms that affect the visible surface of the face. Students will explore how stretching, compression and movement alter the features and create recognisable facial expressions.

Week 4 - Anatomy of the Neck and Shoulders

We will examine how the skull connects to the cervical spine, sternocleidomastoid muscles, trapezius, collarbones and shoulders. Students will practise attaching the neck convincingly to the head and torso through a variety of turns, tilts and poses.

Week 5 - Bringing Everything Together

Students will apply the complete construction process to a sustained head-and-neck drawing. We will move from the large underlying masses through the anatomical landmarks, facial features, values, edges and selected details. The final class will include individual feedback and a review of the complete five-week method.

Course Materials List

An A3 or approximately 11 × 14-inch pad of white drawing or sketch paper

Graphite pencils

Blending stump

Kneaded eraser

Pencil sharpener

A drawing board or other firm drawing surface, if required

Several sheets of tracing paper, optional but useful for anatomical overlays and corrections

Red and blue coloured pencils, optional for distinguishing anatomical structures

Charcoal pencils may be used instead of graphite if preferred