Figure Drawing Proportions Flashcards

Grade 6 · Art · Flashcards

Study key terms and concepts for drawing the human figure accurately.

Flashcards

Proportion: The size relationship between different parts of a figure or artwork
Head-height method: A system that uses the height of the head as a unit to measure the rest of the body
Standard adult height: 7 to 8 heads tall in realistic figure drawing
Torso length: Approximately 3 heads long, from shoulders to hips
Leg length: Approximately 4 heads long from hip to toe
Arm proportion: Arms reach to approximately mid-thigh when hanging at the sides
Child proportions: Children have larger heads relative to their bodies — a 6-year-old is about 6 heads tall
Gesture drawing: Quick sketching that captures the flow and movement of a figure
Foreshortening: A technique making body parts aimed at the viewer appear compressed or shorter
Contour line: A line that traces the outer edge or boundary of a figure shape
Midpoint: The exact halfway point of the adult figure, located at the hips or groin area
Elongated proportions: Using 8-9 head heights to create a dramatic, heroic look in manga or comic art
Construction lines: Light pencil guide lines used to block in basic shapes before adding detail