7 Best Face Charts For Practicing Character Design
Level up your artistic skills with our 7 best face charts for practicing character design. Download our top picks and start refining your portraits today.
Many parents notice their child moving from simple coloring books to a more sophisticated interest in character design and illustrative makeup. Providing the right tools at the right time transforms a casual hobby into a focused practice that builds fine motor skills and patience. Choosing the correct face chart serves as the bridge between imaginative play and disciplined artistic growth.
Gina M. Reyna Pro Face Charts: Best for Aspiring Artists
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When a middle-schooler starts asking for specialized makeup tutorials or expressing a desire to explore professional artistry, they need a structured canvas. Gina M. Reyna’s charts offer a high-quality surface that stands up to various media, from pencils to actual cosmetic products.
These charts provide a realistic template that encourages accuracy and detail. They are the ideal step up for an older child ready to transition from cartooning to realistic portraiture.
Mehron Makeup Practice Chart: Perfect for Stage Design
Children involved in community theater or school productions often want to understand how to apply “character” makeup to look consistent under bright stage lights. This chart acts as a professional-grade training ground for those specific, high-contrast looks.
Because this brand is rooted in the theater industry, the proportions align with real-world makeup applications. It works best for students aged 12 and up who are moving beyond casual sketching into the mechanics of stagecraft.
The Makeup Chart by Bold Face Books: Great for Teens
Teens often look for a creative outlet that allows for personal expression while practicing complex beauty techniques. Bold Face Books provides a user-friendly layout that feels sophisticated without being intimidatingly technical.
This option is particularly effective for teens who are visual learners and enjoy following online makeup trends or tutorials. It encourages them to document their progress over time, serving as a functional portfolio of their evolving style.
NYX Professional Face Charts: A Solid Budget Choice
Finding a balance between quality and cost is essential when a child’s interest is still evolving. NYX offers a cost-effective way for children to experiment with color theory and blending without the pressure of ruining expensive, specialized paper.
These charts are excellent for the 9-to-11-year-old age bracket. They provide enough structure to keep the focus on learning, while the price point allows parents to stock up for extended practice sessions.
Enigma Beauty Makeup Charts: Best for Creative Detail
Some children gravitate toward the intricate details of fantasy makeup, such as scale textures, elaborate masks, or exaggerated features. Enigma Beauty charts offer the canvas space necessary to experiment with these specialized artistic directions.
The level of detail included on the base charts supports students who are interested in character design for animation or gaming. It is a fantastic tool for the budding artist who sees makeup as a medium for world-building.
MAC Cosmetics Face Charts: The Gold Standard for Pros
When a student demonstrates a serious, long-term commitment to makeup artistry or theatrical design, investing in the gold standard is often the right move. MAC face charts are utilized by working professionals for a reason—the paper quality and facial layout are unmatched for precision.
This is a gift for the high-schooler who is looking toward vocational programs or specialized art school. It provides a tactile connection to the industry and elevates the seriousness of their practice sessions.
Creative Makeup Face Charts: Best for Young Beginners
Younger children, typically between the ages of 5 and 8, simply need a large, clear space to experiment with colors and shapes. These beginner-focused charts strip away complex anatomy in favor of simple, easy-to-fill features.
Focusing on these simpler templates prevents the frustration that comes with trying to master anatomy too early. They allow younger children to enjoy the process of color exploration while building confidence in their basic dexterity.
Matching Chart Types to Your Child’s Current Skill Level
- Ages 5–8: Focus on large, simple shapes. Look for charts with minimal facial features to avoid overwhelming the child’s early motor skills.
- Ages 9–12: Look for realistic, anatomically correct proportions. This is the stage where students start to understand symmetry and shading.
- Ages 13+: Transition to high-quality paper that handles multiple mediums, such as alcohol markers, watercolors, and powder pigments.
Choosing the wrong complexity level early on can lead to discouragement, so err on the side of simplicity. A child can always upgrade to a more technical chart once they have mastered the basics of the current one.
Essential Tools for Developing Character Design Skills
Beyond the face chart itself, a few core supplies ensure the practice remains productive. Start with a set of versatile colored pencils or non-toxic, skin-safe makeup palettes.
- Blending brushes: Essential for learning the gradient techniques used in professional design.
- Fixative sprays: Useful for older students using pencils to prevent smudging and preserve their hard work.
- Reference materials: Books or online archives of historical or fantasy costumes help ground character designs in real-world logic.
Keep the setup simple to ensure the child can start practicing at a moment’s notice. A portable art bag can keep these tools organized and ready for travel or quiet home time.
How Face Charts Help Kids Build Visual Storytelling
Face charts are not just about applying color; they are about communicating a personality through visual cues. A child learns that a sharp, angular brow suggests a different character than a soft, rounded one.
This process teaches kids to think critically about the why behind their artistic choices. By documenting their designs on paper, they develop a portfolio that tracks their journey from simple doodling to complex storytelling.
Supporting a child’s artistic progression involves balancing their current enthusiasm with the appropriate depth of tools. By selecting a chart that aligns with their developmental stage, you ensure that their practice remains an engaging, rewarding pursuit rather than a source of stress. Encouraging this creative work now builds the foundation for disciplined, long-term artistic expression.