How to draw human figure in proportion correctly

Proportion in relation to human figure has to do with the means or measurements that guide the drawing of the human figure. In other words, for a human figure that is drawn to look accurate or real, the Mathematics God factored into making man which some scholars in this field have tried to discover many years ago must be strictly adhered to. Quickly, get to know the tools and materials required to understand this whole tutorial as it is very practical and needs practice to get it all right. 

They are:

• sketchpad 
• pencil
• cutter knife
• ruler(optional)
• black pen(optional)
• eraser(optional) etc.

The ruler, eraser and black pen have been labelled optional because you have to try to draw accurate straight lines without the ruler and also try everything possible to avoid making mistakes that will demand the use of eraser. Remember, the goal is to draw like a pro and not as a newbie so the skills of the pro illustrator or artist must be adhered to in order to build the skill proper.

Before anything else is discussed, the means to be employed in measuring the adult figure is the use of head lengths. For an average human figure we will be using 8 head lengths for the full figure drawing aside other measurements to be look at for the body parts.

Plan view of the figure

Before drawing the figure, an action plan or better still action line is needed to ensure the drawing is proportional no matter the posture of the figure. With an action plan, it is easy to get things done quickly and then add the details further. This plan comes in different types depending on the view in which the figure is in. They include: front and back view, side views etc.

figure 1

 

This plan view which is for both the front and back view of the adult figure which comprises of 8 head lengths and the egg shapes have been used to show that alternatively. But in subsequent demonstrations, the egg shapes will be left out except for the head. The various labels against the numbers should be carefully noted for deep insights because knowledge of the body parts these numbers represent aid in getting the figure right. The egg shape is an ellipse and for more detailed understanding of the ellipse and how it can be manipulated, click here.

Breakdown of the plan view in figure 1

• From top of head to bottom of chin is 1 head length.
• From bottom of chin to nipple is 1 head length.
• From nipple to navel is 1 head length.
• From navel to middle of figure is 1 head length.
• From middle of figure to number 5 which goes beyond middle of figure is 1 head length.
• From 5 to bottom of knee is 1 head length.
• From bottom of knee to 7 is 1 head length.
• From 7 to bottom of foot is 1 head length.

PRACTICE 1

Look at the action line drawn in figure 1 and also draw the same thing with the labels in place. Now, draw without looking at the drawing so that you can keep the positions and their respective names.

Still with the front or back view plan or action line but we proceed with the addition of more details as to how the shoulder, pit of neck and other body parts are to be measured before placement to keep the proportion.

figure 2

To fit in the shoulder blade, divide line 1 and 2 into three equal parts. The top 1/3 is the line for the shoulder and on this line is the pit of neck which is directly below the top of head of the figure. From the pit of neck to the right side or shoulder is 1 head length and the same for the left side. So, to do the length of either right or left shoulder, the measure should be a head length each.

Plan view of human figure is side view

figure 3

This is just the plan view of an adult figure in side view. Divide line 0 and 1 into two equal parts and draw a broken line through the middle of the line.  Draw a line through the pit of neck or the shoulder line i.e through the top 1/3. As the figure is in side view, the pit of neck will not be directly below the top of head hence draw a line from the point of intersection of the broken line and the action line with an angle or about 45degrees . This line which is drawn from the point of intersection to the shoulder line is the action line for the neck. From there we draw the upper torso by extending a line from the neck to the front of the navel line (point 3) which is the upper torso. This line is brought back to point 4 and it is the lower torso. Line 7 and 8 is also divided into 3 equal parts with the bottom 1/3 for the foot. The foot should be equal to or little longer than a head length.

The upper leg is drawn by drawing an arc from the line drawn behind point 4 and the arc has to end at point 6 then it is further bulged behind the action line all the way to the bottom 1/3 of line 7 and 8. The foot is drawn between point 8 and the bottom 1/3.

Drawing of front view figure

figure 4

The action line for the front is well in place so we proceed. An egg shape or ellipse is drawn between line 0 and 1. This egg shape is the head. The point right below the bottom of chin is the pit of neck and from the pit of neck, draw line ab and bc with the measurement of 1 head length each. Draw an arc from point a to pass through the bottom of chin point to point c. Draw the neck and also make the inward arcs for the neck as shown in the figure numbered 4. Point 3 (navel) has a line drawn a little at the top of it as well as another one slightly below it and the top one joins the top two diagonal line to form the upper torso and the shape fghj from the lower torso.

Drawing of back view figure

figure 5

For the back view drawing too, the same action line is made use of and the inner arc for the neck is not visible here. The line for the neck is rather moved upwards as the figure shows in figure 5.

Drawing of side view figure

figure 6

Now the  the side view has the head slanted so the action line for the head also has to be moved a little to the side. The action line for the head is drawn through the middle of line 0 and 1. The head is then drawn using the slanted action line. The action line for the neck is also projected from the point of intersection to the pit of neck line and then the neck is drawn. The other parts from the upper torso to the foot are explictly depicted to follow suit and draw.

All that has been done was a demonstration of getting the proportions right in human figure drawing but remember this is only the basics. The fact that you know this one very well guarantees your success in drawing the human figure with muscle attached and more details brought in. Practice is the only thing that will make the process easier to do so practice and practice then you will have nothing to worry about.