Why Beginners Should Start with the Loomis Method

Every artist dreams of drawing portraits that look natural, expressive, and realistic. But when you’re just starting out, faces often look distorted or stiff. This is where the Loomis Method comes in—a proven, step-by-step system for constructing the human head with accuracy and ease. It has helped countless beginners move from guessing to truly understanding facial structure.

What Is the Loomis Method?

The Loomis Method, developed by illustrator Andrew Loomis, breaks the human head into simple shapes: a sphere with guiding lines and flat planes. Instead of trying to copy a photo directly, you build the head like an architect designs a house—piece by piece, following proportions. This makes it much easier to place the eyes, nose, mouth, and ears correctly.

Why It’s Perfect for Beginners

One of the hardest parts of portrait drawing is proportions. The Loomis Method provides a clear “map” of the head, so you don’t get lost. Beginners often place the eyes too high, the nose too low, or the ears at the wrong angle. With Loomis, the guidelines keep everything balanced. It’s like having training wheels for your art until you can ride on your own.

Step 1: Start with the Sphere

Every Loomis head starts with a circle (representing the cranium). A vertical and horizontal line divides it into equal halves, helping you find the tilt and angle of the head. From there, you cut the sides of the sphere to form a more realistic head shape.

Step 2: Add the Jaw and Chin

Once the cranium is set, you extend lines downward to form the jaw and chin. This step gives the head its unique shape—square, long, or round—depending on the person you’re drawing. Beginners love this stage because it shows how even small adjustments can change a character’s look.

Step 3: Place the Features with Guidelines

The horizontal line across the middle of the circle marks the brow line. From here, you divide the lower half into equal sections for the nose and chin. The eyes sit halfway down the head, the nose halfway between eyes and chin, and the mouth about one-third below the nose. These measurements are universal and form the backbone of accurate portrait drawing.

Step 4: Adjust for Individuality

Real faces aren’t all the same. Once you master the Loomis basics, you can adjust the proportions to capture a likeness. For example, some people have longer noses, wider jaws, or closer-set eyes. The Loomis Method gives you the foundation, and from there, you customize.

Why the Loomis Method Stands Out

There are many approaches to learning portrait drawing, but the Loomis Method is especially effective because it’s simple, flexible, and universal. It works whether you’re drawing from life, imagination, or photos. For beginners, it provides structure. For advanced artists, it allows freedom and creativity.

Start Your Portrait Journey Today

If you’re struggling with portraits or just starting your art journey, the Loomis Method is the perfect place to begin. It will give you the confidence to draw heads from any angle and build realistic faces step by step.

👉 Ready to dive deeper? Check out my eBook: Learn to Draw Portraits with the Loomis Method. It’s designed for beginners who want to progress quickly and build strong fundamentals.

With the Loomis Method, you’ll stop guessing and start building portraits like a pro.