If you are a fan of DC comics and movies, you might have seen the movie Shazam, starring Zachary Levi as the titular superhero. Shazam is the alter ego of Billy Batson, a teenager who can transform into a powerful adult hero by saying the magic word “shazam”. The movie is a fun and lighthearted adventure that showcases the humor and charm of Zachary Levi.
I was so impressed by his performance that I decided to draw a portrait of him as Shazam. In this blog post, I will show you how I did it, and why you should try it too. Trust me, it’s not as hard as it looks.
Why You Should Draw Zachary Levi as Shazam
There are many reasons why you should draw Zachary Levi as Shazam. Here are some of them:
He has a very expressive and charismatic face that is fun to capture on paper.
He has a distinctive costume that is detailed, but not too complicated to draw.
He has a cool lightning bolt symbol on his chest that adds some flair to your drawing.
He is a superhero, and who doesn’t love superheroes?
How I Drew Zachary Levi as Shazam
To draw Zachary Levi as Shazam, I used a reference photo and some basic drawing tools. Here’s a list of the materials that I used:
H, D, 3D, 5D & 6D graphite pencils
ruler
proportional divider
kneaded eraser
Tombow Mono Zero eraser
blending stumps
tortillions
cotton swabs
white paint pen
and Strathmore 400 Series drawing paper.
Here are the steps I followed:
Step 1: Sketch A Loomis Head
The first step I recommend is, to sketch a basic head using the Loomis method to help with the proportions and the placement of the features. Draw lightly and loosely, in case you need to erase some of the lines later.
Step 2: Add the Reilly Method
The next step is to add the rhythms of the face using the Reilly method. It really helps with getting the details and placement of the laugh lines, eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. Pay attention to the shapes and sizes of each feature.
Step 3: Shade the values
The next step is to shade the values and create the illusion of depth and texture. You can use different levels of pressure and different hardness in pencils to create different shades of gray.
Step 4: Adding the details
Use a blending stump, tortillion, tissue, or a cotton swab to smooth out some areas and create soft transitions. Use a kneaded eraser to lift off some highlights and add contrast. Lightly add your half tones (the shade value in between the values you already have down) and smooth with cotton swabs or blending stumps. Add your details to the features, hair, and costume. The Tombow Mono eraser is a great tool to create highlights in the hair or in small areas. Just keep adding and removing values until you are satisfied with the portrait.
Some Tips and Tricks
Here are some tips and tricks that helped me with the drawing process:
To create realistic shadows, observe where the light source is coming from and how it affects the shapes and values.
To add details with a sharp pencil, use short and light strokes that follow the direction of the hair or fabric.
Be patient and take your time with the drawing. If you try to rush it, it will show up in your drawing.
If you want to see a time lapse of the whole drawing, then check out this video:
Some Fun Facts
Here are some fun facts about Zachary Levi, Shazam, and DC comics that you might not know:
Zachary Levi was born in Louisiana but grew up in California. He started acting in theater when he was six years old.
Zachary Levi is also a singer and has released two albums with his band called Chuck (named after his TV show).
Zachary Levi is an avid gamer and has hosted several events related to video games and geek culture.
Shazam was originally called Captain Marvel but had to change his name due to legal issues with Marvel Comics.
Shazam’s powers are derived from six mythical figures: Solomon (wisdom), Hercules (strength), Atlas (stamina), Zeus (power), Achilles (courage), and Mercury (speed)
I hope you enjoyed this blog post. If you did, please comment any other fun facts that you might know or just to say hi. I would love to hear from you. Thank you and make sure to subscribe to get alerted when I post new drawings. Also, I want to express my sincere gratitude to each and every one of you for taking the time to explore my recent blog post. Your engagement and support mean the world to me. If you've been captivated by the featured drawing or any other pieces showcased on my website, they are available for purchase. Additionally, I welcome the opportunity to create a custom piece just for you. If you have a specific vision or if there's someone special you'd like me to draw, feel free to reach out. You can contact me via email at artbymikelsean@gmail.com. Your interest and enthusiasm fuel my passion for art, and I look forward to the possibility of turning your creative ideas into beautiful, personalized works. Thank you once again for being a part of my artistic journey.
Warm regards,
Mikel Sean