Features in focus: Ears

Lacking the expression of the eyes and mouth or the prominence of the nose, the ears often seem less important to a portrait than their counterpart features and the seeming complexity of their helical convolutions means that we often avoid drawing them in detail. As well as being an engaging addition to a portrait, the relationship between the ears and other features tells the viewer a lot about the tilt of the head.

SHADOW SHAPES

The ear is defined by contrasts of light and dark, and alongside the contours that define the main shapes of the ear, you’ll want to draw the edges of shadow shapes. Notice those edges of the shadow between the helix and antihelix which make a Y-shape of the raised internal structure of the ear. ▫

HELIX & ANTIHELIX

Three contours define the main structures of the ear: the outline, the internal edge of the helix and the internal edge of the antihelix, which also borders the antitragus and tragus of the ear.

TWO CIRCLES

Seen from the side, the shape of the ear can be underpinned by two circles: a larger one above and a smaller one for the lower part of the ear. Even if you don’t plan to draw the ear in detail, this simple underpinning, with an outline around it, is enough to state its position.

TONE & FORM

Finally, you might want to elaborate on the tonally dark areas within the ear, helping the lighter, raised areas to appear more prominent. Marks which trace the cross-contours of the ear can help to accentuate its form.