Once the structural drawing (or block-in) is complete, Chari’s portrait techniques shift toward tone, value, and edge control.
Building the head and features through light and shade to give them weight and form.
To understand the "deep story" behind Aditya Chari 's Portrait Techniques Made Easy
: This involves creating an image using small dots. The density of the dots can be varied to create different values. aditya chari portrait techniques pdf
Instead of drawing outline loops, Chari breaks the nose down into a keystone wedge at the bridge, a ball for the tip, and distinct boxes for the nostrils. This ensures the nose projects forward correctly in space.
What do you plan to use? (e.g., graphite, charcoal, digital)
While a PDF can provide visual diagrams, here is the conceptual workflow Chari often employs: Step A: The Initial Gesture Once the structural drawing (or block-in) is complete,
, where heads and features are broken down into basic shapes like spheres and cubes to establish correct proportions and balance Shading and Depth: A primary focus is on light and shade
💡 To truly master these techniques, focus on short-duration studies . Chari often recommends drawing 10-minute heads to build muscle memory for proportions before attempting a long-form rendered piece.
One of the most actionable techniques popularized in Chari’s instructional guides is the breakdown of the human face into distinct, simplified planes. This technique is highly reminiscent of the classic Loomis or Reilly methods but adapted with Chari's distinct clarity. The density of the dots can be varied
Focus on distinguishing between highlights, mid-tones, and deep shadows. 4. Capturing Expression and Features
Many beginners fail at portraiture because they treat the human face as a flat collection of features—eyes, nose, mouth—drawn on a surface. Chari’s teachings counter this by emphasizing three fundamental pillars:
Houses the eyes and the length of the nose. Nose Bottom to Chin Bottom: Contains the mouth and jawline.
: Detailed progressions showing how to build values using graded pencils and charcoal.