Understand How to Draw Ears!

What I found when I read art books is that most skip how to draw ears. Perhaps it’s so insignificant in the whole picture since, most of the time, it’s begin covered by hair or other decorative ornaments.

And even if they did mention the ears, it’s very quick and doesn’t really go too in depth as to why it’s drawn in such a manner.

From this disappointment, I had to learn how to draw ears on my own through lots of trial and error. But that doesn’t mean you have to!

My experience is my greatest teacher as I will pass on what I know about this obscured facial feature.

1. Getting the shape right

Although there are many types of ears as there are grains of sands on the beach, most of it has the same common shapes.

The problem is just figuring out just what these shapes are! In order to do that, we must know the parts that comprise the ear.

You’re not expected to learn all of them. However, it’ll be a good idea to learn it as I will refer to these areas when I explain how to draw ears.

So just take a minute or so and just study this diagram to the best of your abilities. It will pay off later as you gain more knowledge on it in the long run.

2. Drawing the external shape

Bring out your digital canvas and let’s start!

We will start with drawing the general shape of the ear in you digital program. With a large brush, what I want you to do is make that general shape. That means you will start with a semi oval shape to paint light in.

Use a dark color!

Once you have done that, the next thing to do is to separate the outer rim of the ear with the inner part. Choosing a lighter color, you will begin to paint the outer rim.

For the most part, the outer rim will include the helix, the tragus, and the lobe.

The outer rim is what essentially defines your ear shape in the beginning. You will use this shape as the main backbone of learning how to draw ears.

The example I have used illustrates three out of the infinite poses. This is just to get you to look at the ear at different angles.

3. Drawing the inner rim

Use your digital brush and create a slightly darken color as it is in an area where light can still reach it.

The object is to create the curls of the inner rim.

When you create the navicular fossa, you also create the scalpha, anthelix, and parts of the concha. As well, the antitragus forms as you connect the navicular fossa to the ear lobes.

Basically, just drawing that part of the inner rim allows you to create almost half the ear in one step!

As you can see, the ear looks more refined and complete. However, we are still missing one more step.

4. The final step

As you draw ears, you have to make sure everything fits in correctly. The difference in color illustrates the potential depth of the areas.

What allows everything to fit together is the root of the helix. With this final step, you can see just how the helix attaches itself to the rest of the ear.

Use a light and large brush for this part with a light opacity setting.

With the helix root drawn in, you will also create the external auditory meatus a direct result.

At this moment in time, your ears should look like the example shown. Although it’s not perfect, you do get a better sense at the shapes which compose the ear regardless. The next step is to refine the process.

This is why I’ll teach you how to paint the ears using your digital art program once you have understood these basic shapes.

All that is left is a little motivation and practice to get where you need to go in 2d digital art!

Return from Draw Ears to Paint Faces.
Return from Draw Ears to the 2d Digital Art Guide.