How to Draw Will Byers: Fix Likeness Issues in Ink Drawings

Overcoming the Will Byers Likeness Challenge

Every artist knows that sinking feeling when a character's essence slips away during the drawing process. If you're struggling to capture Will Byers' distinctive features—especially those prominent eyes and signature hairstyle—you're not alone. After analyzing an artist's documented Inktober struggle, I've identified why Will poses unique challenges and how to overcome them. The key lies in understanding his specific proportions and mastering the translation from sketch to ink. Let's break down the solutions that transform near-misses into confident portraits.

Mastering Will's Facial Proportions

Will's large, protruding eyes are his most defining feature, yet many artists unintentionally diminish their impact. The video creator's experience reveals why this happens:

1. Eye placement depth: Unlike typical faces, Will's eyes sit forward in their sockets. Achieve this by:

   • Drawing deeper upper eyelids
   • Adding subtle shading below the lower lash line
   • Avoiding oversized irises which flatten the face

2. Forehead-to-chin ratio: Will's face is slightly top-heavy. Measure:

   • Hairline to brow = 1/3 of face height
   • Brow to nose base = 1/3
   • Nose base to chin = 1/3

3. Eyebrow subtlety: His eyebrows are lighter and less arched than other characters. Use sparse, upward strokes rather than solid blocks of graphite or ink.

Preserving Likeness During Inking

The transition from pencil to ink causes the most common likeness failures, as seen in the artist's video where Will's character "lost its oomph." Combat this with:

Strategic Line Weight Variation

• Use thick outlines only for jawlines and clothing folds (0.5-0.8mm pen)
• Switch to ultra-fine lines (0.1mm) for facial features and hair texture
• Avoid uniform bold outlines which flatten dimensional sketches

Hair Volume Control

Will's bangs cling to his forehead without poofing—a key area where the artist noted their mistake:

• Start hairlines at the scalp, not floating above
• Use downward strokes for front sections
• Reserve volume for the crown, not the forehead

Advanced Techniques for Authenticity

Clothing and Context Matters

Will's plaid shirts and vests are iconic. The artist's layered approach works well:

1. Block base shirt color
2. Draw parallel vertical lines spaced 1/8" apart
3. Rotate paper 90°, repeat with horizontal lines
4. Darken intersecting points slightly

Contrast for Emotional Impact

The video's dark background solution brilliantly isolates Will, referencing the Upside Down. Apply this professionally:

• Place mid-tone paper under drawings for dark-value testing
• Use white gel pens only on 100% dry ink to prevent bleeding
• Limit background details when working small—focus on figure isolation

Will Byers Drawing Checklist

1. Sketch eyes first at correct protrusion depth
2. Map hairline before detailing strands
3. Vary line weights during inking
4. Test backgrounds with scrap paper
5. Add plaid only after base colors dry

Recommended Tools

• Sakura Pigma Micron 08 (thick outlines)
• Sakura Pigma Micron 005 (facial details)
• Copic Cool Gray No. 3 (hair base)
• Strathmore Toned Tan Paper (built-in contrast)

Capturing Will Byers requires embracing his unique proportions rather than forcing generic approaches. As the artist discovered, strategic inking and contrast management can salvage even problematic sketches. Which feature do you find most challenging when drawing Will—eyes, hair, or proportions? Share your specific struggle below for tailored advice!