Is it permissible to draw humans and animals without drawing the face features or if the face is blotted out?

Answer

It is not permissible to draw humans and animals even if the face is not drawn. The same prohibition applies to drawing by means of calligraphy or any other means. The prohibition applies to pictures of animate objects. Even if the head/face is not drawn, the picture still remains of a human or animal, hence it is haraam. There exists a misunderstanding among even Ulama on this issue. Some believe that simply blotting out the eyes and nose renders the picture halaal. This is baseless.