HUMAN PROPORTIONS
MEASURE IN HEAD HEIGHTS AND WIDTHS
The 8 head high standard model makes it easy to divide the human body into relative proportional sections. Of course intensive observation skills will over-ride these broad and variable guidelines, as the human body varies in its proportions but it helps to know a really broad baseline.
NOW SIMPLIFY THE SKELETON KEEPING IN MIND THE LANDMARKS IN THIS PREVIOUS ILLUSTRATION
COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT AGES
The old ideal standard was 7 1/2 heads, but most artists today accept 8 heads as the standard, 8.5 for fashion, 9-10 for super heroes. This empirical chart is very old, but a fair guide in terms of relative proportions by age.
OLD CHART FOR FEMALE PROPORTIONS
Don’t laugh, this old chart shows a lot more than ideal proportions some 50 years ago.
You can also see a variation in the adjustment for the neck (1/3 of head height instead of 1/4). So we liked our ladies with long necks, in heels and narrow hips (American chart in FEET AND INCHES)
Follow along the sections of the Foundation Drawing Module index, by clicking on each image in the grid
Hatching and Blending Practise
Elements of Drawing
Contour Drawing
Value Drawing
Drawing Shadows
Gesture Drawing
Human Proportions
Improving visual perception
Introduction to Drawing animals
Cross-hatching exercises
Introduction to Drawing People
Drawing the landscape