How do you draw eyebrows on a self portrait?

Drawing realistic eyebrows in a self-portrait involves understanding their structure and hair patterns. The key is to avoid simply drawing lines.

Understanding Eyebrow Structure

Natural Eyebrows: Eyebrows aren't just straight lines. They have a shape, arch, and taper that should be reflected in your drawing.
Hair Grouping: According to the reference, "[...] if you look at natural eyebrows, you can see that the hairs are grouping and overlapping. And they are not just lying next to each other."
Direction: Pay attention to the direction the hairs grow; they're not uniform. Typically, hairs at the inner edge grow upwards, then they curve as they reach the arch and grow downwards towards the tail.

Light Outline: Start with a very light outline of the overall eyebrow shape. Don't make this line too dark or rigid; it's just a guide.
Start with the Base: Create a base layer by drawing small, light strokes that follow the general direction of the hair growth, as explained above.
Hair Groups and Overlapping: Focus on drawing small groups of hairs instead of individual strands. Make them slightly overlap. This is a key step to create a realistic look, as noted in the reference.
Varying Pressure: Varying the pressure with which you apply your drawing tool will make some hairs lighter and others darker. This adds depth and makes the eyebrow look more textured.
Refine and Detail: Add details like individual stray hairs to further enhance the realism.
Blending: Lightly blend some areas to make the transition between strokes smoother and more natural.

Observe Closely: Look at your own eyebrows in a mirror. Notice how the hairs grow, overlap, and the subtle changes in darkness.
Avoid Lines: Don't draw a single, solid line for an eyebrow. The goal is to create the illusion of hair, not a solid shape.
Practice: Drawing eyebrows can be tricky, so practice makes perfect. Try different methods and find what works best for you.
Use Reference: Use photographs or real-life observation as your primary source.
Consider Light and Shadow: The way light falls on your eyebrows can influence your drawing. Be aware of which areas are highlighted and which are shadowed.

By using these techniques and understanding natural eyebrow patterns, you can effectively draw realistic eyebrows on your self-portrait.