{"id":3524,"date":"2016-12-13T09:00:01","date_gmt":"2016-12-13T14:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/?p=3524"},"modified":"2026-01-19T22:46:25","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T03:46:25","slug":"how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/2016\/12\/13\/how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front\/","title":{"rendered":"How to draw an ear from the front"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3549\" src=\"http:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/THUMBNAIL-how-to-draw-an-ear-front-324x235.jpg\" alt=\"thumbnail-how-to-draw-an-ear-front-324x235\" width=\"291\" height=\"211\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/THUMBNAIL-how-to-draw-an-ear-front-324x235.jpg 324w, https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/THUMBNAIL-how-to-draw-an-ear-front-324x235-300x218.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 291px) 100vw, 291px\" \/>Learn how to draw an ear from the front in 11 easy steps!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tools:<\/strong><br \/>\n&#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/1SCbZ4S\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">HB, 2B and 4B pencils<\/a><br \/>\n&#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/1U8wyWT\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Canson Bristol Paper<\/a><br \/>\n&#8211; Ruler or Straight Edge (Optional)<br \/>\n&#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/459OKqV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Blending Stump<\/a><br \/>\n&#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/1nOMkaP\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Kneaded Eraser<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Step 1: Draw an Ear Shape<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3542\" src=\"http:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-1-RFA.jpg\" alt=\"how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-1-rfa\" width=\"360\" height=\"279\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-1-RFA.jpg 454w, https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-1-RFA-300x233.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/>Using a blunt HB pencil, draw\u00a0a narrow ear shape. If you want to draw ears that stick out of the head a lot more, draw\u00a0your ear wider.<\/p>\n<p>Then, measure the length of your drawing and create a ruler beside it. Draw 3 lines through the ruler, breaking\u00a0it into 4 equal sections. I&#8217;m labeling the 3 lines A, B and C so I can refer to them easily.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Step 2: Draw a Large Hook Shape<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3543\" src=\"http:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-2-RFA.jpg\" alt=\"how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-2-rfa\" width=\"197\" height=\"279\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-2-RFA.jpg 244w, https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-2-RFA-212x300.jpg 212w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 197px) 100vw, 197px\" \/><br \/>\nDraw a hook shape that starts from line B and ends at line A.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Step 3: Add the Tragus<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3544\" src=\"http:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-3-RFA.jpg\" alt=\"how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-3-rfa\" width=\"205\" height=\"294\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-3-RFA.jpg 243w, https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-3-RFA-209x300.jpg 209w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 205px) 100vw, 205px\" \/><br \/>\nIn one continuous stroke starting from line B, draw the tragus (the small flap in front of the ear canal) and end your stroke with a small hook that rests above line C.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Step 4: Create a Large Fold<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3545\" src=\"http:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-4-RFA.jpg\" alt=\"how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-4-rfa\" width=\"204\" height=\"286\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-4-RFA.jpg 243w, https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-4-RFA-214x300.jpg 214w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 204px) 100vw, 204px\" \/><br \/>\nAdd\u00a0a curve to the far right which starts at the top of the ear and ends below line C. Leave a fair amount of space for the earlobe.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Step 5: Add a Small Hook Shape<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3546\" src=\"http:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-5-RFA.jpg\" alt=\"how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-5-rfa\" width=\"202\" height=\"276\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-5-RFA.jpg 246w, https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-5-RFA-220x300.jpg 220w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 202px) 100vw, 202px\" \/>Between the 2 lines you just drew, draw a large hook shape that sits on line C. This is the anti-tragus.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Step 6:<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3547\" src=\"http:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-6-RFA.jpg\" alt=\"how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-6-rfa\" width=\"192\" height=\"279\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-6-RFA.jpg 237w, https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-6-RFA-206x300.jpg 206w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 192px) 100vw, 192px\" \/>Use the <a href=\"http:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/2016\/07\/19\/how-to-shade-the-ultimate-tutorial\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">shadow lining technique<\/a> to draw a curve in the center of the ear. Try not to make it parallel to the curve drawn in step 4.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Step 7: Prepare to Shade<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Okay, last one before we shade!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3534\" src=\"http:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-7.jpg\" alt=\"how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-7\" width=\"297\" height=\"320\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-7.jpg 314w, https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-7-279x300.jpg 279w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 297px) 100vw, 297px\" \/>Erase the ruler and horizontal lines.<\/p>\n<p>To keep your edges sharp and clean when you shade, use a sharp 4B pencil to re-outline areas of the ear that cast the darkest shadows &#8211; Areas such as deep valleys, major folds and overhang.<\/p>\n<p>Your outlines should not be too dark because\u00a0you don&#8217;t want them to\u00a0show through after you shade.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Step 8: Add the Darkest Shadows<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3535\" src=\"http:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-8.jpg\" alt=\"how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-8\" width=\"153\" height=\"335\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-8.jpg 153w, https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-8-137x300.jpg 137w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 153px) 100vw, 153px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If your pencil is still sharp, use a scrap piece of paper to make it blunt and then draw your shadows.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Step 9: Add a Light Layer of Graphite<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3536\" src=\"http:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-9.jpg\" alt=\"how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-9\" width=\"160\" height=\"332\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-9.jpg 160w, https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-9-145x300.jpg 145w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 160px) 100vw, 160px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Use a blunt HB pencil to shade an even layer of graphite across the entire ear. If you want bright white highlights, don&#8217;t shade over them.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Step 10: Add the Midtones<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3537\" src=\"http:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-10.jpg\" alt=\"how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-10\" width=\"142\" height=\"332\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-10.jpg 142w, https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-10-128x300.jpg 128w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 142px) 100vw, 142px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Use a 2B pencil to add your mid-tones. Shade areas such as the opening of the ear, shallow valleys and slight folds.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Step 11: Blend the Graphite<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3538\" src=\"http:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-11.jpg\" alt=\"how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-11\" width=\"149\" height=\"329\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-11.jpg 149w, https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-an-ear-from-the-front-step-11-136x300.jpg 136w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 149px) 100vw, 149px\" \/>Use a blending stump to smooth out your shading. If your highlights are too dark, roll your kneaded eraser to a fine tip and dab some graphite away. If your edges are blurred, use a sharp pencil to redefine your edges and blend them lightly if needed.<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;ve gotten some requests for the left ear, so here are the steps for those of you struggling with the other side:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5633\" src=\"http:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-a-left-ear-from-the-front-step-by-step-RFA.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1292\" height=\"1176\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-a-left-ear-from-the-front-step-by-step-RFA.jpg 1292w, https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-a-left-ear-from-the-front-step-by-step-RFA-300x273.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-a-left-ear-from-the-front-step-by-step-RFA-768x699.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-a-left-ear-from-the-front-step-by-step-RFA-1024x932.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-a-left-ear-from-the-front-step-by-step-RFA-696x634.jpg 696w, https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-a-left-ear-from-the-front-step-by-step-RFA-1068x972.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/how-to-draw-a-left-ear-from-the-front-step-by-step-RFA-461x420.jpg 461w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1292px) 100vw, 1292px\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn how to draw an ear from the front in 11 easy steps! Tools: &#8211; HB, 2B and 4B pencils &#8211; Canson Bristol Paper &#8211; Ruler or Straight Edge (Optional) &#8211; Blending Stump &#8211; Kneaded Eraser Step 1: Draw an Ear Shape Using a blunt HB pencil, draw\u00a0a narrow ear shape. If you want to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7066,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[18],"class_list":["post-3524","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-learn-how-to-draw","tag-ears"],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/THUMBNAIL-how-to-draw-an-ear-front-324x235-2.jpg",324,235,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/THUMBNAIL-how-to-draw-an-ear-front-324x235-2-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/THUMBNAIL-how-to-draw-an-ear-front-324x235-2-300x218.jpg",300,218,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/THUMBNAIL-how-to-draw-an-ear-front-324x235-2.jpg",324,235,false],"large":["https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/THUMBNAIL-how-to-draw-an-ear-front-324x235-2.jpg",324,235,false],"ug_big":["https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/THUMBNAIL-how-to-draw-an-ear-front-324x235-2.jpg",324,235,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/THUMBNAIL-how-to-draw-an-ear-front-324x235-2.jpg",324,235,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/THUMBNAIL-how-to-draw-an-ear-front-324x235-2.jpg",324,235,false],"gg_gallery_thumbnail":["https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/THUMBNAIL-how-to-draw-an-ear-front-324x235-2.jpg",324,235,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Darlene Nguyen","author_link":"https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/author\/darlenenguyen\/"},"uagb_comment_info":23,"uagb_excerpt":"Learn how to draw an ear from the front in 11 easy steps! Tools: &#8211; HB, 2B and 4B pencils &#8211; Canson Bristol Paper &#8211; Ruler or Straight Edge (Optional) &#8211; Blending Stump &#8211; Kneaded Eraser Step 1: Draw an Ear Shape Using a blunt HB pencil, draw\u00a0a narrow ear shape. If you want to&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3524","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3524"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3524\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8208,"href":"https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3524\/revisions\/8208"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7066"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3524"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3524"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rapidfireart.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3524"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}