Drawing abstract faces means simplifying or distorting features into bold lines and shapes rather than realistic anatomy.
Abstract faces are a forgiving, low-pressure subject for any artist. They mix the recognizable features of a face — eyes, nose, mouth, chin — with the freedom of stylized shapes, off-center placement, and decorative patterning. This guide walks you through the essential steps and techniques for drawing your own expressive abstract portrait.
What Is An Abstract Face Portrait?
An abstract face is a stylized portrait that deliberately distorts feature size, placement, and shape to create a graphic effect. The goal isn’t realism—it’s reinterpreting a face through lines, colors, and patterns. Most lessons break the face down into simple geometric or curved shapes for a look that feels creative and modern.
To see decorated faces you could buy or use as inspiration, explore abstract face paintings available online.
The Step-by-Step Method
Teaching guides like Art Projects for Kids suggest starting with a light pencil sketch to place features before committing to final lines. The order below reflects common practice in beginner tutorials.
- Start with a light sketch. Draw a loose outline for the head shape and lightly mark where the eyes, nose, and mouth will sit. This gives you a roadmap before you add details.
- Draw the eyes first. Many tutorials begin with the eyes, using simplified shapes like almonds, circles, or even mismatched designs. Feel free to add eyelids or abstract accents around them.
- Add the nose and mouth. Use curved lines, geometric forms, or “broken” marks rather than realistic anatomy.
- Finish the face. Define the chin, jaw, and neck, then add hair using bold shapes or lines.
- Add linework and color last. Trace over your pencil in pen or marker, then fill in with paint, markers, or crayons.
One tutorial recommends testing your layout on scrap paper first, especially if you plan to use wet media like watercolor.
Common Mistakes And How To Avoid Them
Your features need not look realistic — that’s the point. To get the abstract effect right, avoid these pitfalls highlighted by Easy Drawing Guides.
- Making it too realistic. The charm of abstract faces comes from deliberate distortion of feature size, placement, and shape.
- Skipping the pencil guidelines. A quick light sketch of facial anchors keeps proportions in control as you stylize.
- Overcrowding features. Simplify features into a few strong shapes and lines instead of over-adding details, which weakens the graphic look.
When you’re happy with your pencil sketch, I Heart Crafty Things recommends tracing over it with a permanent marker. This is a smart step: a permanent pen won’t smear when you add watercolor later.
| What To Do | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Sketch features with pencil first | Controls proportions and placement |
| Trace with a permanent marker | Prevents smearing under wet paint |
| Use mismatched or asymmetrical eyes | Adds an abstract, artistic vibe |
| Try curved, spiral, or angular lines | Makes features feel stylized |
| Test the layout on scrap paper | Avoids wasting good art supplies |
Materials And Media That Work
The beauty of abstract faces is that they work with nearly any art supply you already own. The tutorials referenced here show examples made with markers, crayons, watercolor paints, acrylic paint, oil pastels, black pens, and fineliners.
Your choice of paper depends on your media. Standard drawing paper or sketchbook paper works well for dry media like markers and crayons. If you’re using watercolor or acrylic, choose watercolor-friendly paper or heavier paper that can handle liquid without buckling.
Ready to see more finished examples and maybe find one for your wall? Check out this collection of abstract face paintings to buy for inspiration.
References & Sources
- Art Projects for Kids. “Abstract Face Tutorial.” Provides the step-by-step drawing sequence and guidance on using watercolor-friendly paper.