How to Draw Ears:Simplified Ear Structure and Shading Tips

在學習人像繪畫的過程中，耳朵經常是被忽略、甚至跳過的部位。

其實耳朵的構造雖然不像五官那麼有表情，但它的立體結構清晰、邏輯性高。
學會觀察與拆解耳朵，不但能讓你的人像畫面更完整，還能幫助你掌握頭部傾斜與轉動的準確性。

耳朵的基本位置與比例關係

耳朵不是隨意貼在頭的側邊，它有大致的參考點(位置多少因人而異)：

頂部對齊眉毛、底部對齊鼻翼，是正面常見的基準比例。
在側面或上視角中，耳朵的位置會稍微往後靠，位於頭部中線與後腦之間。

操作建議：畫草稿線時就先標記耳朵的大致輪廓線與傾斜方向，幫助定位五官與頭部結構。

以下我將耳朵拆分成三個零件，幫助我們認識形狀的特徵。

Our ears, also called the auricle, are composed of the following parts:

耳朵五大結構區塊的觀察方法

● Helix:

The most prominent outer curve of the ear, forming an arc around the ear. The helix outlines the ear, and it’s important to pay attention to its curvature and the shadows formed by its folds.

The small diagram at the top left helps illustrate these curves and transitions.

● Antihelix:

The raised part inside the helix, shaped like a “Y,” usually branching into upper and lower parts to support the ear's structure.

● Tragus:

A small protrusion in front of the ear canal, protecting the entrance of the ear canal.

● Concha:

The hollow area inside the ear, situated between the helix and antihelix, which helps funnel sound into the ear canal. It resembles a satellite dish or bowl.

● Earlobe:

The soft, rounded lower part of the ear, lacking cartilage. The thickness and shape of the earlobe vary among individuals.

●How to Draw Ears:

The plaster model of an ear on the far right simplifies the curves into planes, which can help us understand the areas' transitions.

It’s recommended to study a plaster ear model before drawing real ears to get a sense of the basic shapes.

1.Simplify the Outline:

Start with simple geometric shapes (like circles and ovals) to sketch the general shape of the ear, marking the positions and characteristics of the helix, antihelix, tragus, and earlobe.

You can also use rectangles to assist in drawing ears from different angles, helping you understand the ear's geometric forms.

2.Refine the Structure:

Once the outline is complete, add structure lines to capture the rises and falls between the helix and antihelix.

3.Enhance the 3D Effect:

Use shading to emphasize the ear’s contours, focusing on the intersections of the helix, antihelix, and tragus. Observe how even small shadowed areas can create depth.

不同角度下耳朵的形狀變化

正面：耳朵只露出一小部分，耳輪會成為最明顯的輪廓線。

側面：耳朵完整露出，是學習結構的最佳角度。

半斜側 45度：耳朵會略微壓縮，但耳輪與耳珠的方向依然可辨。

仰角與俯角：耳朵會因頭部傾斜而有明顯上下錯位，觀察耳輪與對耳輪的交錯方向是判斷關鍵。

I hope this guide helps you understand ear structure and drawing techniques. If there are any topics you’d like to see or specific drawing methods you'd like to learn, feel free to leave a comment or message me. Happy drawing!

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