Is Drawing The Human Head Part 2 worth it if you’re shopping in Drawing & Painting?
Quick answer
| Best for | Artists who have finished the basics but feel stuck when switching from gesture to final render, or when trying to capture the specific weight of a male profile. |
| Skip if | You are looking for a complete beginner’s intro to drawing (this is Part 2), or if you prefer written text over video demonstrations. |
| Price | $15 |
| Format | Video course with downloadable brush files |
| One-line take | A dense, hour-long masterclass that bridges the gap between loose gesture and polished portrait painting, specifically for the male head. |
What you’re actually buying
Most drawing tutorials stop at the “how to draw a face” stage, leaving you to figure out the transition from a rough sketch to a finished piece on your own. Drawing The Human Head Part 2 from Josh H Black is different because it doesn’t just show you the lines; it shows you the thinking. For $15, you’re getting a full hour of video demos that cover the specific mechanics of drawing the front and profile views of the male head. It’s not a generic “draw a head” video; it’s a deep dive into the muscular anatomy that actually supports those forms, which is the piece most artists miss when their profiles look flat or wrong.
The real value here is in the variety of the demonstrations. You aren’t just watching one static pose. Josh walks through several portrait gesture demos, helping you understand how to capture energy and movement before you commit to detail. Then, he pivots to caricature, offering four distinct demos that show how to exaggerate features without losing the underlying structure. This is a rare mix for a single course: you get the technical anatomy, the loose gesture skills, and the stylized caricature approach all in one package. (Drawing The Human Head Part 2)
Perhaps the most surprising inclusion is the painting component. Many drawing courses ignore the final render, but this tutorial includes a long, detailed process video on painting a female portrait. This allows you to see exactly how Josh translates his drawing knowledge into color and light. To make sure you can follow along, the package includes his favorite digital painting brushes. You can download these and use them to replicate his workflow, which removes the friction of trying to guess which settings he used. It’s a complete toolkit for the specific job of going from a blank canvas to a finished portrait. (Drawing The Human Head Part 2)
Why it’s on our radar
This course stands out because it addresses a specific bottleneck in the artist’s workflow: the jump from “I can draw a head” to “I can draw a convincing head.” By focusing on the male head in both front and profile views, it targets the most common challenges in character design and portraiture. The inclusion of facial muscle anatomy is a strong signal that this is a structural lesson, not just a surface-level tracing exercise. (Drawing The Human Head Part 2)
The fact that it includes both drawing and painting demos makes it a high-value option for digital artists who want to streamline their pipeline. Usually, you’d have to buy a separate drawing course and a separate painting course to get this level of coverage. Here, you get the structural foundation and the final rendering process in one go. The addition of the brush files is a thoughtful touch that ensures you can replicate the look and feel of the demos without spending hours tweaking your own settings. (Drawing The Human Head Part 2)
What actually matters
Before you buy, consider your current skill level. This is explicitly Part 2 of a series. If you haven’t done the first part, you might find the pacing fast or the foundational concepts assumed. This course is designed for artists who already know how to hold a pencil (or stylus) and are ready to refine their technique. (Drawing The Human Head Part 2)
Check your software compatibility. Since the course includes digital painting demos and brush files, ensure your tablet and software (likely Procreate, Photoshop, or similar) can support the brush packs provided. If you are a traditional artist, you can still benefit from the drawing and anatomy sections, but you won’t be able to use the digital brushes. (Drawing The Human Head Part 2)
Look at the time commitment. With a full hour of video content covering multiple topics (gesture, anatomy, caricature, painting), this is a substantial course. It’s not a quick 10-minute tip video. You’ll need to set aside time to watch and, ideally, practice along with the demos to get the most out of the material. (Drawing The Human Head Part 2)
Mid-check
If you’re ready to level up your portrait skills and want a course that covers both the structural drawing and the final painting process, this is a solid investment. (Drawing The Human Head Part 2)
FAQ
Is this course suitable for complete beginners? Not really. Since this is Part 2 of a series, it assumes you have some basic drawing knowledge. It’s best for intermediate artists who want to refine their technique, specifically for the male head and portrait painting. (Drawing The Human Head Part 2)
What software do I need to use the brush files? The brush files are designed for digital painting. You’ll need a tablet and compatible software like Procreate, Photoshop, or Clip Studio Paint to use them. If you’re a traditional artist, you can still follow the drawing and anatomy sections, but you won’t be able to use the digital brushes. (Drawing The Human Head Part 2)
Does this course cover female heads? The primary focus is on the male head for the drawing and anatomy sections. However, the painting demo features a female portrait, so you will see the painting process applied to a female subject. (Drawing The Human Head Part 2)
Bottom line
Drawing The Human Head Part 2 is a focused, high-value course for artists who want to master the male head and understand the transition from drawing to painting. At $15, you get a full hour of detailed demos, anatomy lessons, and practical brush files. It’s a no-nonsense resource that respects your time and your skill level, making it a strong choice for anyone looking to refine their portrait skills.