How to Draw Kobe Bryant: Step by Step (YOUDRAW by Merrill Kazanjian)

Link- http://merrillk.com/index.php?part=fineart&articles_id=5980&collection=114 Today, YOU are going to draw Kobe Bryant. It doesn't matter if you have prior art training or not. This video will break the process down in to simple steps so that anyone can do it. Grab a pencil and paper and let me show you what I mean. Remember to pause the video when you need to. Here we go.
Step 1: Draw an oval shape for Kobe's head. Notice that the bottom of the oval looks like an upside down trapezoid while the top of the oval shape is rounded.
Step 2: Make four horizontal lines. The top line MUST intersect the midway point of the oval shape. The lowest line should be placed at the bottom of the chin. After drawing the top and bottom lines, add two EVENLY SPACED lines between the top and bottom line. At the end of step two, you should have THREE evenly spaced segments between the top and bottom lines (refer to the picture).
Step 3: Observe the six dots that I added. The top four map out the corners of Kobe's eyes, while the bottom two map out the corners of his mouth. Lets look at their relationship. Notice that these dots are leaning towards the right side of the oval. This is due to the fact that Kobe's head is slightly turned. Also, take a second to notice the distance in between the two eyes is equal to one eye length. Finally, notice that the middle part of the space designated for each eye, will line up with the outer corners of the mouth. Now, draw in the six dots.
Step 4: Draw in the eyes....The upper eyelid as a rainbow shape and the bottom lid is close to a straight line. Notice that the iris is partially blocked by the upper eyelid.
Step 5: Encapsulate the eye in the oval shape that I just added.

Step 6: In this step, make the bottom of the nose by drawing three connected, upside down arches. Do not worry about the bridge of the nose yet. After you make the bottom of the nose, draw the shape for the upper lip...... The upper lip looks like a squished McDonalds logo (picture the golden arches squished).

Step 7: Add the bottom lip. It is similar to a banana shape. Notice that the bottom lip is thicker than the top lip. Now that we have the eyes and part of the mouth done, take a second to notice the perfect square that is formed when you connect the points from the middle of the eye and the corners of the mouth. Make adjustments if you do not have this perfect square.
Step 8: Draw in the two shapes between the eyes and nose. Like the bottom lip, these shapes are very similar to banana shapes. They will help us shade the nose later.
Step 9: Now add in the ears. Due to the fact that Kobe's head is turned; it appears that his left ear is smaller than his right. This, of course is not the case, but draw what you see.
Step 10: Draw in the lines, stemming from the chin, as well as Kobe's dimple lines.
Step 11: Draw in Kobe's hairline. Again, due to the turn of his head, you will see more hair on the right side.
Step 12: Erase the construction lines
Now, I will show you how to shade your drawing. Don't worry, this too, will be easy! You have three options to learn shading. Option one- click the link in the video description to go to a webpage that I made for this video..... on my website, merrillk.com. You will see a series of 17 steps with picture references and words. You will also see a free downloadable resource that you can print. Option two is to watch a shading demonstration in the second part of this video; and option three is a separate video; where I will demonstrate how I shaded Kobe at a slower pace. Please take advantage of all of these options. I am confident that they will help. Special thanks to Rico Shen for use of his photograph via Creative Commons. http://commons.wikimedia.org/w....iki/File:NikeTaipeiF