Why Every Beginner Should Learn the Loomis Method

When most people first decide to learn to draw, they jump straight into sketching faces, eyes, or portraits from photographs. While this can be fun, it often leads to frustration. The proportions feel off, the eyes don’t align, and the drawing looks “flat.” This is where the Loomis Method becomes a game changer for beginners searching for how to draw faces step by step.

The Loomis Method, created by illustrator Andrew Loomis in the 20th century, is not just a drawing trick—it is a system for understanding the human head. Instead of copying what you see, you learn to build the head from simple shapes. Imagine starting with a circle, then cutting off the sides, then adding guidelines that mark where the eyes, nose, and mouth should go. Suddenly, the head is no longer a mystery; it’s a structure you can build again and again, from any angle.

Why the Loomis Method Works for Beginners

Because art is about more than copying—it’s about understanding form. When you use the Loomis Method, you are training your brain to think in 3D. You’re not just drawing “a face”; you’re constructing a sphere with planes, perspective, and balance. This makes your portraits look more solid, realistic, and alive.

Another reason beginners should embrace Loomis is confidence. Many students get discouraged when their drawings look “childish” or “wrong.” With Loomis, you always have a map to follow. The circle gives you the foundation, the guidelines give you proportion, and the construction ensures that even if you’re drawing from imagination, the head still looks believable. This makes it one of the best beginner drawing techniques available.

I’ve seen countless students who, after a few weeks of practicing Loomis heads, suddenly improve in leaps. Their lines become more confident, their portraits more accurate, and their creative freedom expands. Why? Because once you understand the rules, you can bend them, break them, and develop your own style without fear.

How My Drawing Book Can Help

In my drawing book for beginners, I explain the Loomis Method in clear, step-by-step instructions, designed especially for those who may feel overwhelmed. The book starts with simple shapes, then moves into facial features, and finally combines everything into finished portraits. Each chapter is like a small workshop that builds your skill piece by piece.

👉 If you want to follow a clear path and move from beginner to confident artist, check out my e-book:
Learn to Draw Portraits – Loomis Method

This guide is designed to help you practice smarter, not harder, and develop real progress in your art.

Why Start With Loomis

If you’re searching for how to draw portraits, portrait drawing for beginners, or even art learning blogs to guide your journey, the Loomis Method is the perfect foundation. It’s practical, reliable, and opens the door to both realism and creative expression.

So the next time you sit down with your sketchbook, don’t worry about making a perfect portrait right away. Start with a circle. Add the guidelines. Construct the head step by step. With practice—and maybe a little help from my e-book—you’ll see progress faster than you imagined.