Q&A for How to Draw a Semi Realistic Portrait

There are plenty of free drawing programs out there that don't limit your layers! Medibang and FireAlpaca are nice choices, and while Paint Tool SAI isn't free, it does offer a 30 day trial.

Imagine a light source in your drawing, think about all of the places where the light would hit (parts of hair, parts of nose, glare in eye). Also take shadows into consideration, such as hair or the nose. Look at images of light hitting the face as another reference.

Change the shape of the eyebrows to more of a semi-curve rather than an S shape. Additionally, you may make the smile larger or make the eyes squint a little in a smile. You can also shade the face for rounder cheek bones.

Look at images of eyes and take note of small features. Sketch out what you can currently achieve and try adding more features onto it.

There are a number of ways to draw it face forward, but its pretty much the same. You don't have to add ears, but to make it look real you should. It depends the hair style. Look at photos of people with different hair styles and see how they move with the ears.