How To: Drawing the Human Ear

[Bruce Lee]

Many artist draw heads very well, but have you noticed that many artists don't actually draw ears very well? Ears are often drawn poorly. If you're reading this, you're probably thinking, "Who cares? It's just an ear." That was once my attitude in regards to the matter also, but not any more.

Truth be told, I had once convinced myself that I KNEW how to draw a passable human ear, but one day I found out differently. While attending the JOE KUBERT SCHOOL OF ART, one of my instructors, Alec Stevens, pointed out to me that I drew very fairly "weak" ears. He called it straight, letting me know that I was just "faking it" when it comes to real ear anatomy I wasn't even aware that I had been faking it, but once he pointed it out, I knew he was right. I had been winging ears all along. While at his desk, Alec proceeded to draw the human ear for me, and step-by-step, he educated me on the subject of proper ear anatomy. I never forgot how to draw an ear after that!

I have provided a simple step-by-step below that I hope will benefit others who have been faking their way through drawing human ears. The illustrations below were drawing in Photoshop via a mouse (I didn't have a Wacom Tablet when I originally posted this tutorial several years ago), so the lines are a bit shaky, but that shouldn't hinder the visuals too much. The info you need to know is there.

It is important to remember that human ears, like eyes, noses and mouths, come in many different shapes and sizes. No two ears are exactly alike, and the ear anatomy can vary greatly between individuals. Still, the ear anatomy I've drawn for you below represents a common ear. I hope this will put you on the path to understanding the anatomy of the human ear, and the step-by-step helps you to draw better ears. Remember: don't "fake it", and don't be afraid to use some visual reference if you need to.

http://www.lostonwallace.com/ear.jpg

Take care,
Loston

[A.D.R.I.A.N.]

I still have to come back and look at this... thanks!

[Carter]

Hey! I saw this on myspace!

[Ugga Bugga]

Hey! I saw this on myspace!

Cool................

[jeremy dale]

Cool................

Yeah, way to lose that case, Uggs. ;)

[John Shine]

Good one. Ears are often where a novice thinks he can wing it and really can't. I should know, I have many, many times...

On another note, you had Alec Stevens for a teacher? That's awesome. I love his stuff.

[Bruce Lee]

Good one. Ears are often where a novice thinks he can wing it and really can't. I should know, I have many, many times...

On another note, you had Alec Stevens for a teacher? That's awesome. I love his stuff.

Alec is one of the best artists I've met. He helped me with lots of stuff--especially layout, design, etc.

Loston

[ScottEwen]

Yeah, Alec doesn't get enough recognition. Not only one of the best artists I've known personally, but one of the nicest people I've ever met. And he can yodel! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad0ZBZ2jntw)*

*I'm in that video too. The bald guy right in the beginning.

[Bruce Lee]

Scott, that Alec Stevens video is PRICELESS! The guy has all sorts of talents. Heh.

Loston

[C William Russette]

I wrestle with this every time I draw an ear and just say screw it and draw whatever.

Now I have no excuse! Thanks.

[jujigatame]

Awesome tutorial...One thing I'd like to mention when drawing ears is that the shadows are usually consistent (assuming the lighting is somewhere generally above) for the most part and it's possible to actually 'learn' the forms of the ear by just studying the shadow shapes and patterns.
That's how I did it anyway since I was having a helluva time committing the forms & names to memory. I've since gone back and retro-learned all the parts of the ear and all that but, I've found my initial approach still extremely useful since I can pretty much block in a relatively realistic ear using just the shadow shapes in a few seconds.

[Brian Germain]

Great drawing tips Loston BTW I show everyone your sketchbook I wish I could afford you to come work for me :) at any rate just an aside comment when I draw the ear I usually don't run the the top outside line into the ear I usually point it toward the face only because the top line usually stops and heads more toward the face about the corner of the eye or just above. The way you have drawn it is not incorrect however as that fold does head inward toward the ear fold above the canal.

anyone reading this should check out what I mean in the mirror and how both ways offer accuracy. The way that Loston has drawn it I would definitely lean more toward if the person is looking slightly away in their profile or for extreme close ups where i can show it with a thinner line weight or shading... again just my personal preference.

-Brian


Many artist draw heads very well, but have you noticed that many artists don't actually draw ears very well? Ears are often drawn poorly. If you're reading this, you're probably thinking, "Who cares? It's just an ear." That was once my attitude in regards to the matter also, but not any more.

Truth be told, I had once convinced myself that I KNEW how to draw a passable human ear, but one day I found out differently. While attending the JOE KUBERT SCHOOL OF ART, one of my instructors, Alec Stevens, pointed out to me that I drew very fairly "weak" ears. He called it straight, letting me know that I was just "faking it" when it comes to real ear anatomy I wasn't even aware that I had been faking it, but once he pointed it out, I knew he was right. I had been winging ears all along. While at his desk, Alec proceeded to draw the human ear for me, and step-by-step, he educated me on the subject of proper ear anatomy. I never forgot how to draw an ear after that!

I have provided a simple step-by-step below that I hope will benefit others who have been faking their way through drawing human ears. The illustrations below were drawing in Photoshop via a mouse (I didn't have a Wacom Tablet when I originally posted this tutorial several years ago), so the lines are a bit shaky, but that shouldn't hinder the visuals too much. The info you need to know is there.

It is important to remember that human ears, like eyes, noses and mouths, come in many different shapes and sizes. No two ears are exactly alike, and the ear anatomy can vary greatly between individuals. Still, the ear anatomy I've drawn for you below represents a common ear. I hope this will put you on the path to understanding the anatomy of the human ear, and the step-by-step helps you to draw better ears. Remember: don't "fake it", and don't be afraid to use some visual reference if you need to.

http://www.lostonwallace.com/ear.jpg

Take care,
Loston

[sirandal]

Alec is one of the best artists I know. He helped me with many things - especially formatting, drawing, etc. Buy Runescape Gold (http://www.storeingame.com/gold/Runescape-gold.html)

If this is a script bot, I am very VERY afraid.

[Bruce Lee]

If this is a script bot, I am very VERY afraid.

That's really bizarre because that was original something Scott Ewen posted. If it was a script bot, I must have deleted it, cuz it's no longer visible on this post.

[sirandal]

Ahhhh...it didnt occur to me that they would just swipe another post wholesale. That makes much more sense. hehe

[BullyJack]

Yeah, Alec doesn't get enough recognition. Not only one of the best artists I've known personally, but one of the nicest people I've ever met. And he can yodel! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad0ZBZ2jntw)*

*I'm in that video too. The bald guy right in the beginning.
Wow. Is that the Kubert school?
Looks like a freaking riot.

[Bruce Lee]

Wow. Is that the Kubert school?
Looks like a freaking riot.


Typically not always such a riot. The JKS was often a load of fun, but it was a tough school with difficult deadlines and a lot of long hours spent drawing at a desk. Alec's Layout and Design class was typically pretty serious, but at the end of the year, he liked to spend at least one day having fun with the students. One day near the end of the year Alec brought in a copy of THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER (1955) film, and we watched that in class. It has great scenes that make great use of composition and contrast. During the movie, I witness Alec swallow half a bag of M&Ms in one gulp. LOL. One day during class, he brought in the board game, CONNECT 4. He said that anyone who beat him at the game didn't have to do the assigned homework for the following week! Few could beat him at that game. His CONNECT 4 powers were strong!

[Fallenangel]

Just used this in my last painting, thank you :)

Fallen.

[Bruce Lee]

Just used this in my last painting, thank you :)

Fallen.

Excellent! I hope it helped!