How to Draw a Nose

October 1, 2023

Are you ready to take on the challenge of drawing a realistic nose from the front? Don’t worry, it’s not as hard as it might seem. We’ve got a step-by-step guide on how to draw a nose that will turn you into a pro in no time.

Drawing a nose might feel a bit intimidating, but trust me, you can do it in just 9 simple steps. So, grab a piece of paper and a pencil, and let’s start this artistic adventure together.

Tools you will need to draw a nose

The essential tools you’ll need to draw a nose are:

Paper: A blank sheet of paper serves as your canvas for sketching out the nose.
Pencil: Use a pencil to create your initial outlines and make adjustments as you go.
Eraser: A good eraser helps you correct mistakes and refine your drawing.
Reference Image: Having a photo or picture of a nose to refer to can guide your drawing and make it more accurate.
Light Source: Proper lighting helps you understand shading and highlights on the nose’s surface.

With these tools in hand, you’re all set to begin your journey of drawing a nose.

How to Draw a Nose in Detail

When you’re aiming to draw a nose (or anything realistic like people, objects, or scenes), having a clear reference picture is a smart move.

You can find suitable reference images on platforms like Unsplash.com, a website offering free stock photos. Alternatively, you can use your mobile phone to capture a few shots of your friend, colleague, classmate, or partner.

Also, know that using reference photos you’ve taken yourself often results in better drawings. This is because you have a personal connection to the subject, which can be reflected in your artwork.

Creating the Nose’s Base Shape

Start by drawing an ellipse. This ellipse forms the tip of the nose and serves as the initial guide for the rest of your nose drawing.

Useful Tip: Go for a 2B pencil or a darker one. Pencils like 2B, 4B, and 6B have softer leads compared to HB or 2H pencils. This soft lead allows you to make visible marks on your paper without needing to press too hard.

Avoid pressing down too firmly, as this could make it difficult to erase pencil marks if you need to make changes later.

Remember that it’s always a good practice to outline your drawing shapes using light pencil lines. This sets the foundation for your drawing.

Outlining the Inner Nostril Shape

Sketch the ‘c’ shape that represents the opening of the nostril. Create this shape on both sides of the ellipse you drew earlier.

Mapping out this shape gives you a clearer sense of where the outer edge of the nostril will be located. It also guides how to incorporate shading to depict the areas that are set back.

By following these steps, you’re gradually developing your sketch into a more lifelike representation of a nose.

Defining the Outer Nostril Shape

Next, outline the “c” shape that forms the outer edge of the nostril. In essence, this “c” shape is larger compared to the one you drew for the nostril entrance above.

Outlining the Nose Bridge

Create a gentle, soft outline to shape the bridge of the nose. This outline isn’t permanent—it acts as a guide for plotting the forms, shadows, and highlights in your drawing. You’ll erase it later.

Adding Shading and Refining

Start by adding subtle shading around the nasal bone’s sides and along the edge of the nose form. As you start shading the top part of the nose, you can go ahead and erase the ellipse you drew earlier.

Expert Tip: A great technique for achieving smooth shading on a nose is called “grading” or “blending.” Utilize a blending stump to draw light and dark values, achieving the shadows of the basic shapes.

Hold your pencil at a lower angle, applying pressure to the side of the lead rather than the tip. This lets more of the lead make contact with the paper, producing broader, softer marks. This technique is particularly useful for covering larger shadowed areas without creating uneven marks.

Add more Shading

Deepen the shading along the sides of the nose and around its tip. Keep the tip of the nose unshaded to emphasize the highlight and give it a three-dimensional look.

Darken the Inner Nostril Shadow

Notice that I begin with a very dark pencil shade at the innermost part of the nostril, gradually lightening it as it moves towards the entrance.

Add extra Shadow

Apply additional shading to the regions adjacent to the nostril and surrounding the nose’s tip.

Final Step – Darken your Shadows areas

Darken the shadowed areas further and infuse more shading into the nostrils and under the nose. By following these steps, you’ll gradually build up a well-shaded and realistic depiction of the nose.

Exploring Different Nose Types for Drawing

Noses exhibit a wonderful variety of shapes and sizes, making them both enjoyable and a bit challenging to draw. Here are a few diverse nose shapes, along with some helpful pointers on how to depict them:

Roman nose: A Roman nose boasts a prominent bridge that gracefully slopes downward at the tip. To capture this nose type, initiate with a vertical line along the center, then craft a curving line for the bridge. Employ shading to form a gradual curve at the tip.
Button nose: The button nose is petite and circular, with a gently upturned tip. Begin by outlining a small circle or oval for the tip, then connect it to the face using a curved line. Bring depth and definition through shading.
Snub nose: The snub nose is brief and subtly upturned, featuring a rounded tip. Start with a tiny triangle shape for the tip and unite it with the face using a curved line. Smoothly transition from nose to face with shading.
Crooked nose: The crooked nose is asymmetrical and can pose a slight challenge. Begin with the nose’s basic structure, then introduce lines indicating the bridge’s curvature. Employ shading to instill depth and texture. Don’t hesitate to exaggerate the crookedness for added dramatic impact.

Some universal tips for drawing noses of any kind include maintaining the nose’s proportions about the overall face, utilizing shading to instigate dimension and depth, and closely observing reference images or real-life instances to grasp the nose’s structure and form.

Just like any skill in drawing, continuous practice and experimentation play pivotal roles in refining your artistic abilities.

Conclusion

Well done! You’ve successfully finished your own lifelike human nose drawing. Feeling like a pro, right? We assured you it wasn’t as tough as it appeared. Take a moment to revel in the achievement of your enhanced drawing abilities.

Bear in mind that practice leads to perfection, so keep practicing to consistently enhance your skills. We trust our step-by-step guide on drawing a nose was beneficial and smoothed the path for you. If it was, consider sharing it with your friends. Now, go forth and create more amazing nose drawings!

How to Draw a Nose