Uploaded June 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This is a recorded portrait demo we filmed at Lightbox with Erik Gist. He's a Marvel artist and teaches at the Watts Atelier. In this live session, he walks through the key stages of a portrait drawing, focusing on big shapes and proportions. He starts with an envelope, or scaffolding shape, to lock in the height-to-width ratio. Then he separates the hair from the face, finds the center line, and uses rhythms to place the features. He keeps everything general at first so it's easier to adjust things later. For anyone learning to draw, the big takeaway is this: build strong fundamentals, work hard, and follow the proven path. Progress takes dedication and sacrifice.
Want to learn more about portrait drawing? Check out our other courses on portraiture at proko.com/store
CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro
00:30 - Layin
02:33 - Rhythms
04:45 - Values
07:57 - Defining the Drawing
10:19 - Adding More Values
16:00 - Outro
RELATED LINKS:
Drawing vs Painting - Two Portrait Approaches - youtu.be/3aGkB2R1JTI?si=OBHOvNRffENhX8UI
How to Create Iconic Comic Covers - youtu.be/MxTKZfZ7WWU?si=6C_4QMbowMInnze1
#drawing #portrait #shading
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WATCH MORE PROKO:
Latest Uploads: youtube.com/watch?v=-Pu1uGh1-Y4&list=PLtG4P3lq8RHH0YGMCXa4uWsHVwTDkDcpN
Figure Drawing: youtube.com/watch?v=74HR59yFZ7Y&list=PLtG4P3lq8RHGuMuprDarMz_Y9Fbw_d2ws
Art of Caricature: youtube.com/watch?v=FOURPIkpPXk&list=PLtG4P3lq8RHEkeRGn6aFRct0kq4oDwwTa
Popular Videos: youtube.com/watch?v=1EPNYWeEf1U&list=PLtG4P3lq8RHHR_SKsGtufNd8uo2L7_vTQ
ABOUT PROKO:
Instructional How to Draw videos for artists. My drawing lessons are approachable enough for beginners and detailed enough for advanced artists. My philosophy is to teach timeless concepts in an entertaining way. I believe that when you are having fun, you learn better. I take pride in producing high-quality videos that you will enjoy watching and re-watching.
CREDITS:
Artist | Instructor - Erik Gist (erikgist.com/)
Producer - Stan Prokopenko (https://stanprokopenko.com), Sean Ramsey (http://peoplewhodrawstuff.com), Charlie Nicholson (instagram.com/shloogorgh/)
Production Assistance - Sean Ramsey, Charlie Nicholson, Kaitlin Jensma (instagram.com/gimmenoise/), Kristian Nee (kristiannee.com ), Stephen Clark (https://peppermintgentleman.com), Patrick Bosworth, Andrew Vinogradsky (vimeo.com/andrewvino)
Editing - Patrick Bosworth (https://patrickdavidbosworth.com)
Model - Makenna Karp (https://makennakarp.com)
Publishing - John Birchall, Alex Otis
Music Used with Permission
Intro - The Freak Fandango Orchestra
Additional music by Epidemic Sound
This is a recorded portrait demo we filmed at Lightbox with Erik Gist. He's a Marvel artist and teaches at the Watts Atelier. In this live session, he walks through the key stages of a portrait drawing, focusing on big shapes and proportions. He starts with an envelope, or scaffolding shape, to lock in the height-to-width ratio. Then he separates the hair from the face, finds the center line, and uses rhythms to place the features. He keeps everything general at first so it's easier to adjust things later. For anyone learning to draw, the big takeaway is this: build strong fundamentals, work hard, and follow the proven path. Progress takes dedication and sacrifice.
Want to learn more about portrait drawing? Check out our other courses on portraiture at proko.com/store
CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro
00:30 - Layin
02:33 - Rhythms
04:45 - Values
07:57 - Defining the Drawing
10:19 - Adding More Values
16:00 - Outro
RELATED LINKS:
Drawing vs Painting - Two Portrait Approaches - youtu.be/3aGkB2R1JTI?si=OBHOvNRffENhX8UI
How to Create Iconic Comic Covers - youtu.be/MxTKZfZ7WWU?si=6C_4QMbowMInnze1
#drawing #portrait #shading
Subscribe to Proko: bit.ly/SubProko
Don't miss new tutorials - Hit the BELL!
Premium Videos - proko.com/store
Pose photo sets - proko.com/poses
FOLLOW PROKO:
Email Newsletter - proko.com/subscribe
instagram.com/prokotv
twitter.com/prokotv
tiktok.com/@prokotv
facebook.com/prokotv
WATCH MORE PROKO:
Latest Uploads: youtube.com/watch?v=-Pu1uGh1-Y4&list=PLtG4P3lq8RHH0YGMCXa4uWsHVwTDkDcpN
Figure Drawing: youtube.com/watch?v=74HR59yFZ7Y&list=PLtG4P3lq8RHGuMuprDarMz_Y9Fbw_d2ws
Art of Caricature: youtube.com/watch?v=FOURPIkpPXk&list=PLtG4P3lq8RHEkeRGn6aFRct0kq4oDwwTa
Popular Videos: youtube.com/watch?v=1EPNYWeEf1U&list=PLtG4P3lq8RHHR_SKsGtufNd8uo2L7_vTQ
ABOUT PROKO:
Instructional How to Draw videos for artists. My drawing lessons are approachable enough for beginners and detailed enough for advanced artists. My philosophy is to teach timeless concepts in an entertaining way. I believe that when you are having fun, you learn better. I take pride in producing high-quality videos that you will enjoy watching and re-watching.
CREDITS:
Artist | Instructor - Erik Gist (erikgist.com/)
Producer - Stan Prokopenko (https://stanprokopenko.com), Sean Ramsey (http://peoplewhodrawstuff.com), Charlie Nicholson (instagram.com/shloogorgh/)
Production Assistance - Sean Ramsey, Charlie Nicholson, Kaitlin Jensma (instagram.com/gimmenoise/), Kristian Nee (kristiannee.com ), Stephen Clark (https://peppermintgentleman.com), Patrick Bosworth, Andrew Vinogradsky (vimeo.com/andrewvino)
Editing - Patrick Bosworth (https://patrickdavidbosworth.com)
Model - Makenna Karp (https://makennakarp.com)
Publishing - John Birchall, Alex Otis
Music Used with Permission
Intro - The Freak Fandango Orchestra
Additional music by Epidemic Sound
