Teach Yourself Visually Drawing

Drawing the Human Figure chapter 12

In order to render the tilt of the head correctly, the artist may
have used the features of the face as coordinates with which
to line up other parts of the body. The artist may have
roughly drawn out the whole composition. If he then estab-
lished the features of the head, he could then line up parts
of the rest of the body against these points. For example,
imagine drawing a vertical line from the bottom of the nose,
where it meets the face. This line could then act as a guide
for the placement of the clavicle and the edge of the rib
cage.

As our imaginary vertical line continues, the edge of the

pocket becomes aligned with the bottom of the nose. This

confirms to the artist the placement of the hip in relation to

the head. The stomach is not in line with this vertical guide,

but is in line with the outer edge of the thumb. The artist

therefore could see the width of the protrusion of the stom-

ach. It was important for him to get this right, in order to

show that the body is slightly bent at the waist and that the

back is arched.

Train Your Eye

Stomach

protrudes

to the left

Edge of

pocket

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