Profile drawing is found in many types of drawing, including in the cartoon world. A cartoon profile requires much the same discipline and technique as profile drawing in other types of drawing. Learning to draw cartoons side ways takes practice, but can be accomplished using the basic principles of figure drawing.
Instructions
1. Draw the profile of the face. Begin with a line where the forehead will be, extend the line down and curve it in slightly, creating the recess for the eyes. Bring this line out (toward the edge of the paper) to create the bridge of the nose. Round the end of the nose toward the outer edge of the paper. Sketch in the character's eye, eyelashes and a hairstyle. Create the texture of the hair by using strokes for long, straight hair or swirls for curly hair.
2. Draw a slight line from beneath the bulb of the nose. Extend this line just slightly toward the outer edge of the paper as you create the upper lip, then curve the line back toward the character to finish the mouth.
3. Draw the profile of your character in stick figure to get the composition. Keep the stick figure drawing light. You will only use the lines for a guide, then erase them after you've filled in. If you want to draw a profile of a cartoon character running, draw a straight line for the body, then a V-shaped line extending in front of the body line for one leg and a straight line extending behind the character at a 45-degree angle for the back leg. Draw two lines with a V shape attached to the stick to represent the arms as they would appear in a character running.
4. Sketch around your sticks to fill out your cartoon character's body. Place the lines you draw around the stick figure as far away from the stick figure as necessary for the type of profile character you're drawing. Being with the neck and shoulder of your cartoon, then develop the arms. Continue to use the guidelines of your stick figure to keep the composition on track.
5. Erase the stick lines once you've completed your sketch. If all you want is a black and white line drawing, shade your character with pencil, varying the pressure of the lead application to show color variance. Apply color pencil over this shading if you want your cartoon colored.
