Evening Drawing
(VV052)
Week 2: Body Measurements and Proportions
Helena Lukášová, Hana Pokojná
Masaryk University, Faculty of Informatics, Studio of Graphic
Design and Multimedia (AGD+M)
1
Easels
• You can stand or sit
• Stand easel on the side of your dominant hand (right-handed on the right side of your body, lefthanded
on the left side).
• Stay roughly an arm’s length away.
• Stand so you don’t have to move your body to see the model or peek over the easel. Just move
your eyes/ turn your head slightly. This prevents change of perspective.
• The drawing paper shouldn't be too high or too low (usually eyes roughly middle of the paper)
make sure you’re comfy.
Masaryk University, Faculty of Informatics, Studio of Graphic
Design and Multimedia (AGD+M)
2
Measurements
• Last week, we focused on quick intuitive measurements through movement. The aim
was to push you not to think but to draw.
• This week we will look at measuring:
1.Extend your arm and close one of your eyes
2.Have the top of pencil aligned and starting where the top of the head is
3.Place your thumb where the head ends (chin), this is your 1 unit.
4.Move the pencil along the body and see how many head measurements it is.
5.When measuring, don’t make heavy marks, make general marks of where key body parts are.
6.Everything is in a relationship with other things! Look at relations of placements in space!
Masaryk University, Faculty of Informatics, Studio of Graphic
Design and Multimedia (AGD+M)
3
Directions
Pencils are useful for seeing directions, for example, slouching shoulders, pelvis angle, leg direction
…. Basically angles.
Source (image): https://www.artistsnetwork.com/art-mediums/drawing/3-figure-drawing-mistakes/
Masaryk University, Faculty of Informatics, Studio of Graphic
Design and Multimedia (AGD+M)
4
Proportions (adults)
These are the general proportions
for men and women. Of course,
anatomical variations exist, but this
is a great way to keep figures
proportional.
The general measurement is that
7.5 heads fit in one body vertically
and that 2 heads can fit between
the top of the skull and the nipples.
Source: Velká kniha anatomie pro výtvarníky by Barber and Barrington
Masaryk University, Faculty of Informatics, Studio of Graphic
Design and Multimedia (AGD+M)
5
Age and Proportions
- Different age = different proportions
- For example, a 1-year-old toddler is
roughly ‘4 heads tall’ compared to an
adult, who is about 7.5 heads tall.
Source: Velká kniha anatomie pro výtvarníky by Barber and Barrington
Masaryk University, Faculty of Informatics, Studio of Graphic
Design and Multimedia (AGD+M)
6
Composition
• Think about proportions to fit the figure in the paper
• If you can’t continue drawing stop drawing at the end of the paper.
• Do not make an entire arm smaller to fit it into the paper. It’s better to have better proportions
and invisible appendages than the other way around….
• You don’t have to draw until the end of the paper just to make a suggested continuation.
Masaryk University, Faculty of Informatics, Studio of Graphic
Design and Multimedia (AGD+M)
7