Block in Concepts for Portraiture by Stephen Bauman

This course is all about the first stage of a portrait drawing—the block in. Stephen Bauman breaks down why this step is so critical: if your block in is weak, the rest of the drawing will struggle to recover. You’ll learn how to approach this stage with intention, building a solid foundation that carries through to the finished piece.

🎯 What you’ll learn

• How to construct a portrait from basic shapes and lines
• The importance of proportion and placement in the block-in stage
• Techniques for refining your initial sketch without losing momentum
• How to analyze a reference and translate it into a strong structural drawing

✅ Requirements

• Skills: Basic understanding of drawing fundamentals, familiarity with portrait anatomy
• Tools: Pencil, paper, eraser
• Hardware: None required

📝 Description

This series strips away everything except the block in. No shading, no rendering, no finishing touches—just the raw construction of a portrait. Stephen walks you through his process in two formats: a refined edition where he explains each decision, and a real-time version where you can watch the full process unfold without cuts.

The block in is where most drawings succeed or fail. If you get the proportions wrong here, no amount of shading will fix it. Stephen shows you how to think in terms of simple shapes, compare angles, and check relationships between features. It’s a methodical approach that builds confidence and precision.

By focusing exclusively on this stage, you’ll develop a sharper eye for structure. You’ll learn to see the portrait as a puzzle of interlocking forms rather than a collection of features. This is the kind of foundational skill that improves every other aspect of your drawing, whether you’re working from life or reference.

🧑‍🎓 Who this course is for

• Artists who want to strengthen their portrait drawing fundamentals
• Students who struggle with proportion and placement in their sketches
• Anyone looking to understand the block-in stage in depth before moving on to rendering

🧑‍🏫 About the Author

Stephen Bauman is a professional artist and educator known for his detailed approach to portraiture and figure drawing. He has taught at prestigious institutions and shares his methods through his Patreon, where he breaks down complex techniques into digestible lessons. His work reflects a deep understanding of classical drawing principles, and he’s passionate about helping artists build strong foundations.

🏁 Final Result

By the end of this course, you’ll have a clear, repeatable process for blocking in a portrait. You’ll be able to start any drawing with confidence, knowing that your foundation is solid enough to support the rest of your work.