| Understanding Body Proportions (2). Step by Step Figure Drawing. Do you know what the words underlined in blue mean? If you are not sure click on the word to see the word explained. |
In Part 1 I looked at body proportions and the '8 head canon'. In part 2 I am
going to create a figure using the canon and begin by drawing a grid or
table which is two squares wide and eight squares tall. You do not need to
use a grid for drawing all your figures, but this is a useful way to begin to
learn about proportions - the size, height, width and so on - of different parts
of the body.
going to create a figure using the canon and begin by drawing a grid or
table which is two squares wide and eight squares tall. You do not need to
use a grid for drawing all your figures, but this is a useful way to begin to
learn about proportions - the size, height, width and so on - of different parts
of the body.
I am going to start with a male figure. On my grid I have made small marks
which show me where important parts of the figure will be. You can see that I
have marked the position of the chin, the chest, the navel or tummy button, the
wrists and groin, and the positions just under the knees.
which show me where important parts of the figure will be. You can see that I
have marked the position of the chin, the chest, the navel or tummy button, the
wrists and groin, and the positions just under the knees.
I have drawn in the head, neck and shoulders, using the canon illustration as a
rough guide. I can see that the eyes appear to be just a little more than half
way up the first square, so I have marked their position in my drawing.
rough guide. I can see that the eyes appear to be just a little more than half
way up the first square, so I have marked their position in my drawing.
My canon guide shows me that the waist is at about the middle of block 4
down. With that in place I can start to draw the torso and legs in. I have
decided that my figure is going to stand with his feet apart. My figure wears
loose clothing, too, which hangs on the body and hides some of its shape.
down. With that in place I can start to draw the torso and legs in. I have
decided that my figure is going to stand with his feet apart. My figure wears
loose clothing, too, which hangs on the body and hides some of its shape.
My figure's arms are held slightly out to the side, and the legs and feet have
been completed. The figure's right foot (the left on the picture) is perhaps
turned a little too far.
been completed. The figure's right foot (the left on the picture) is perhaps
turned a little too far.
Here is the same figure, traced and
with detail added. The drawing is
still not quite finished - that foot is
still turned too far round and there is
a lot more I could add to this.
Do the arms and legs look to be the
right length? Do the hands look to
be in the right position? Does his
head look too big or too small?
I think he looks about right, but you
might disagree. This is the 8 head
canon put to work.
with detail added. The drawing is
still not quite finished - that foot is
still turned too far round and there is
a lot more I could add to this.
Do the arms and legs look to be the
right length? Do the hands look to
be in the right position? Does his
head look too big or too small?
I think he looks about right, but you
might disagree. This is the 8 head
canon put to work.
In Part Three we are going to use these proportions to
draw more figures. Click HERE to visit Part Three with
me.
draw more figures. Click HERE to visit Part Three with
me.
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