How to draw a doodle portrait?4 min read

Introduction

If you are searching for some fun activity projects to start off your kid’s school year, try to get your hands on the self-portrait aspect. Such activities let kids learn more about each other in a fun and creative way.

Designing your own doodle portrait on a piece of school paper will give your kids a great possibility to look out for something innovative and fun to learn. You can even add some easy captions to explain all these clues. Worry not, you don’t need to write full sentences! It’s basically like a labeling kind of job. Your kid will definitely get a cool and casual vibe while labeling. This is because such lines make it easy to write, and nourish the mood.

All that you need to do is just encourage your young ones to learn drawing as well as some basic facial features. After that, they just need to fill all the remaining space with lots and lots of colorful doodles. The more knowledge they have, the more fun their doodle portrait will be!

Time needed

According to our estimations, you’ll need somewhere between 45-60 minutes to make a fabulous self-portrait and that too in a doodling style! Then what are you waiting for? Pick up your pencil and sketch pens and let the game begin!

How to make a doodle self-portrait

1. Take a selfie!

In the first step, you will need a physical photograph of yourself to use as a stencil for your doodle portrait.

For making your doodling easier, you can edit your photo to black-and-white and then mark the lines ( we’ll learn about the marking pattern later on)

If you are confused in choosing an image then hang on! You are free to choose any image that is silly, sassy, serious or anything in between.

Even if you don’t have a photograph, don’t worry! Simply ask your parents to take a quick picture of you using a mobile phone.

Once you do that, print it out on an 8.5” x 11” piece of paper on your printer.

2. Materials that you need

Drawing Paper

It is recommended not to substitute it with copy paper or construction paper. If you do that, then the surface will get fuzzy, erasing might cause holes, and the colors will generally not look as bright.

Pencil

Choose a pencil that has a high HB grade. As it would help you to make deep and fine lines when you need them and are the easiest to erase.

Eraser

We’ll suggest you use large ones as they are easy to hold in your hand and can do a much better job than just the pencil tips.

Black Sharpie Marker

These fine point markers are used to make nice black lines. Usually, they have a good tip for coloring, and also they never bleed when they get wet.

You may use them in areas with good ventilation and add extra paper underneath for table protection.

Colored Markers

You can either go for the crayons or the colored markers. But it is advisable to use colored markers first. Such packs will provide you with lots of fun color choices, several shades of each color. They also include a few choices for the skin. The tips are perfect for coloring.

3. Trace your face

Make sure to get a doodle pad as well, for tracing purposes. All that you need to do is place your photograph under the Doodle Pad.

Don’t worry if you don’t have a doodle pad. You can cover it with clear packaging tape as we’ve done here. Just make sure to peel it off easily from the stencil when you are done. After this, trace your face using your favorite marker.

You can also go for the skin-toned plastic colors to make your self-portraits more real and fun. Apart from this, you can even work with a more unique palette.

Nowadays other options are also available in the market to choose from — including neon, metallic, and others!

4. Fill in the details

Once your doodle gets hardened, gently peel the doodle portion off the doodle pad.

Want to design your doodle portrait after this? Feel free and go for it! You can embellish your design with new details- long eyelashes, a crazy shirt, a big nose. Get ready to turn yourself into anything that you probably imagine!

Conclusion

Once you are done with your doodle project, think of what makes you distinctive, or what makes you look different from anyone else. You need to ask yourself some basic questions like what’s your hair color and hairstyle? In case you always wear your hair in pigtails, then you’d definitely want to show your hair up, instead of down. The second possible question could be regarding the color of your eyes. You need to make some specific choices if you wear glasses. The next question could be regarding your favorite hat or dress that you always wear. Suppose you are known for wearing a bow in your hair or red boots, then you need to add those details in your picture as well.

Also, you may consider adding some more details such as your home, or pet or beloved things (sports equipment, toys, etc.) that are special to you and things that will help to tell the viewer about you.