1
Find the bony landmarks before the soft tissue
Map the brow ridge, cheekbone, jaw angle, and chin box before you chase lips or eyelashes. Hard structure keeps a portrait from becoming mushy.
Realistic guide
How to draw a realistic face with better plane logic
Realism is less about rendering pores and more about understanding what each plane is doing in space. Start with the skull, then let the softer forms sit on top of a believable structure.
2
Separate major planes from secondary forms
Forehead, side plane, front plane, cheek wedge, muzzle, and chin should read clearly before you model subtle flesh transitions.
3
Design the shadow shape around muscle and bone
When the light direction changes, think about which planes turn away together. A convincing shadow pattern usually follows structure better than it follows local detail.