How to Draw Jay-Z Step by Step

Step 1: I recommend that you cut your paper in to a square shape to begin. While this recommendation is not necessary, the edges of the square will help you judge the placement of the lines in your drawing.

Step 2: Draw the big U shape and the small P shape. Notice their relative size to each other and to the rest of the square shape. Notice where the lines of each letter end, compared to the edges of the paper. Finally, notice that the U and the P tilt to the right.

Step 3: Put in the triangle shape at the top....close to the middle of the page. Also put in the line in the upper left corner.

Step 4: This is a tough step.....Do not expect to get this perfectly. These are shadow shapes around the eye and they are not as important as getting the position of the eye correct. Notice the general placement of this shape. It lies above the tail of the P shape and more than 1/2 the way up the U shape. Sketch it in quickly. Do not agonize over it.

Step 5: Draw in the eyes. Overall, they are almond shaped and notice that there is one eye length between each eye. Also, be sure to add the double line around the eyes.

Step 6: Add the nose. There is a strong shadow on both sides of the bridge of the nose. There is even a stronger shadow at the bottom and the nostrils will be merged in to a shape that looks like a flattened M.

Step 7: Add the rainbow shape that you see. Notice its origin from the shape in step 6.

Step 8: Add Jay-Z's lips. The two lips together form a heart shape. The two lips are about equal in size to each other.

Step 9: Add the shirt and tie. Dont stress the placement of these shapes, they are irrelevant to the likeness.

Step 10: Finish the shirt and add his earring.

Step 11: Add the line below his chin.

15-Piece Drawing Set

Merrill's Opinion: Faber-Castell makes the best drawing pencils. These pencils are mixed with graphite and clay and enhance an artists ability to create and layer dark tones. You will see me use this set in almost all of my videos.

Lyra Graphite Crayons

Merrill's Opinion: Do you ever get TIRED of shading with a fine "tip" pencil? Get my "point"? This tool will save you time and money.

Click "MORE" to see me use this product in a video-

Robert Simmons White Sable Brushes

Merrill's Opinion: Robert Simmons brushes get better with age. These synthetic brushes collect particles of graphite as they are rubbed on a piece of paper. This enables me to softly move and blend tones. Most often I use the "Flat Size 10" brush but it helps to have a variety of sizes and shapes.

Loew-Cornell Blending Stumps

Merrill's Opinion- INVALUBLE tools for blending! These will cost you LESS than a trip on the subway (Less than 2 dollars) and enhance your shading capacity substantially! I like Leow-Cornell because the stump is more compact and the tips do not wear as easily as other brands. I use these tools in almost every one of my videos.

Blick White Sulphite Drawing Paper

Merrill's Opinion: Really, I DARE YOU, try to find a better value than this one! 500 sheets of 80LB (thick) drawing paper for $11.50. AMAZING DEAL!......If you use computer paper to create your drawings, you are ROBBING yourself from seeing what you can really do! This paper has more "tooth" (texture on the surface) than computer paper and your ability to shade will be enhanced.

Coates Premium Artist's Willow Charcoal

Merrill's Opinion- I use this to block in large areas such as hair. This product can be combined with drawing pencils.

General's White Charcoal

Merrill's Opinion- I use this to add highlights at the end of a drawing (I didnt use this for the Jay-Z Drawing though. It mixes with both pencil and charcoal. Each stick measures 3" × ¼" × ¼" (76 mm × 6 mm × 6 mm).