Glossary

5.1 Proportions of the face and figure

3 min read•august 15, 2024

Understanding facial proportions is key to creating realistic portraits. Artists use specific measurements and ratios to capture the human face accurately. These guidelines help painters place features correctly and achieve lifelike results.

Body proportions also play a crucial role in figure painting. Knowing standard measurements, like the 7.5-8 head height rule, helps artists create believable human forms. These principles apply to both realistic and stylized artwork.

Human Face Proportions

Facial Sections and Measurements

Top images from around the web for Facial Sections and Measurements

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Top images from around the web for Facial Sections and Measurements

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  • Human face divides into three equal horizontal sections from forehead to chin
  • Face width measures approximately five eye-widths across
  • One eye-width separates the eyes
  • Mouth positions one-third between bottom of nose and chin
  • Ears typically align with eyebrows (top) and bottom of nose (bottom)

Body Proportions and Measurements

  • Average adult human figure measures 7.5 to 8 head lengths tall
  • Wingspan (fingertip to fingertip) roughly equals total height
  • Waistline in idealized figure falls at body's midpoint
  • Arms reach mid-thigh when hanging naturally (Da Vinci's )
  • Hands measure approximately the same length as the face

Facial Proportions in Portraits

Eye and Mouth Positioning

  • Eyes position halfway down head, slightly below true vertical center
  • Mouth corners typically align with eye centers or pupils from front view
  • Distance between eyes equals one eye width
  • Eye size relates to face width (eyes occupy about 1/5 of face width)
  • Eyebrows generally sit just above the eye socket (about one eye height above eyes)

Nose and Ear Placement

  • Bottom of nose falls halfway between eyebrow line and chin bottom
  • Nose width at base typically matches one eye width
  • In profile drawings, ear positions between eyebrow and nose bottom
  • Ear length often matches distance from eyebrows to base of nose
  • Nostril width usually aligns with inner corners of eyes

Hairline and Forehead Proportions

  • Hairline generally positions one-third down from head top to eyebrows
  • Forehead occupies about one-third of total face length
  • Widow's peak (if present) often aligns with center of eyebrows
  • Temple area typically aligns with outer corner of eye
  • Forehead width often measures slightly wider than jawline

Facial Structure Variations

Ethnic and Genetic Diversity

  • Facial features vary based on ethnic background (nose shape, eye shape, lip fullness)
  • Bone structure variations affect overall face shape and proportions (high or low cheekbones)
  • Feature prominence differs among individuals and ethnic groups (brow ridge, jawline)
  • Genetic conditions result in distinct facial proportions (Down syndrome, Marfan syndrome)
  • Skull shape influences facial structure (dolichocephalic, brachycephalic, mesocephalic)

Individual Characteristics and Cultural Influences

  • Skin texture contributes to unique facial characteristics (wrinkles, facial hair)
  • Asymmetry in facial features creates individual uniqueness
  • Cultural practices alter perceived facial proportions (scarification, lip plates)
  • Makeup application can modify apparent facial structure (contouring, highlighting)
  • Hairstyles impact perceived face shape and proportions (bangs, facial hair styles)

Age and Gender in Facial Proportions

  • Infants and young children have larger eyes and foreheads relative to face size
  • Nose and ears continue growing throughout life, becoming more prominent
  • Aging causes facial fat and collagen loss, leading to sagging skin and prominent bone structure
  • Philtrum (area between nose and upper lip) lengthens with age, altering lower face proportions
  • Facial volume loss occurs in specific areas (temples, cheeks, around mouth)

Gender-Specific Characteristics

  • Male faces develop more angular features during puberty (pronounced brow ridge, jawline)
  • Female faces often retain neotenous features (larger eyes, fuller lips relative to face size)
  • Hormonal changes affect facial hair growth and skin texture throughout life
  • Male foreheads tend to slope backward more than female foreheads
  • Female faces typically have higher eyebrows and more arched eyebrows than male faces

Key Terms to Review (16)

Asymmetrical Balance: Asymmetrical balance refers to a design principle where elements on either side of a central axis are not identical but still create a sense of harmony and equilibrium. This type of balance is achieved through the careful arrangement of different visual weights, colors, and shapes, allowing for a dynamic composition that feels stable yet interesting. It contrasts with symmetrical balance, offering more freedom in artistic expression while maintaining visual coherence.
Caliper: A caliper is a tool used to measure the distance between two opposite sides of an object, providing precise dimensions for various forms, including the human figure and facial features. In the context of measuring proportions, it aids artists in ensuring accurate scaling and relationships between different parts, which is crucial for achieving lifelike representations.
Classical figure drawing: Classical figure drawing is the traditional practice of representing the human form using established techniques and proportions, often based on the study of anatomy and the works of master artists. This practice emphasizes accuracy, proportion, and an understanding of the underlying structure of the body, allowing artists to create lifelike representations that convey movement and expression.
Foreshortening: Foreshortening is a technique used in art to create the illusion of an object receding strongly into the background or projecting out towards the viewer. This method involves altering the proportions and dimensions of the subject, making parts appear compressed or elongated based on their position relative to the viewer's perspective. This technique enhances depth and realism in a composition, making it crucial for effective representation in various forms of visual art.
Gestural drawing: Gestural drawing is a drawing technique that emphasizes the expressive movement and form of a subject, capturing the essence and energy of a pose rather than focusing on precise details. This style encourages spontaneity and fluidity, allowing artists to express emotions and dynamics within their work, particularly when studying the proportions of the face and figure.
Golden Ratio: The golden ratio is a mathematical ratio, approximately 1.618, that is often found in nature and has been used in art and design for centuries to create visually appealing compositions. It represents an ideal proportion that is thought to be aesthetically pleasing, making it a vital concept in composition, figure drawing, and basic artistic techniques. The golden ratio can guide artists in creating balanced and harmonious works by using this principle to establish relationships between elements in their artwork.
Grid method: The grid method is a drawing technique used to help artists accurately translate and enlarge images onto a larger surface by breaking down the original image into smaller, manageable squares. This method allows for precise measurements and proportions, which are especially important when working with complex subjects like the face and figure.
Nasal bridge: The nasal bridge is the bony structure that forms the upper part of the nose, connecting the forehead to the tip of the nose. It plays a significant role in determining the overall shape and proportions of the face, influencing how features like the eyes and mouth are perceived in relation to one another. A well-defined nasal bridge can contribute to a more harmonious facial structure and balance.
Plumb Line: A plumb line is a tool used in art and construction that consists of a weight suspended from a string, which serves to establish a vertical reference line. This simple yet effective device helps artists and builders achieve accurate proportions and alignment, making it essential for ensuring that figures and facial features are rendered correctly in relation to one another.
Proportions of the Human Body by Leonardo da Vinci: The Proportions of the Human Body by Leonardo da Vinci refers to his systematic study and depiction of human anatomy, emphasizing the ideal ratios and measurements that govern human figures. Da Vinci's work illustrates a deep understanding of anatomy, geometry, and proportion, connecting these elements to create lifelike representations that adhere to classical ideals. His studies were foundational in developing the concepts of idealized human proportions, influencing both art and science.
Rule of Thirds: The rule of thirds is a compositional guideline that suggests dividing an image into nine equal parts using two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines. This technique helps artists create balanced and dynamic compositions by positioning key elements along these lines or at their intersections, leading to more engaging visuals.
Scale relationship: Scale relationship refers to the proportional relationship between different elements within a work of art, particularly in terms of size and dimension. This concept is crucial when depicting figures and faces, as it helps artists maintain accuracy and coherence in their compositions, ensuring that each part relates appropriately to the whole.
Shoulder Width: Shoulder width refers to the measurement between the outer edges of the shoulders, which is crucial in determining the proportions of the human figure. This measurement not only affects the overall silhouette but also plays a significant role in the depiction of body mechanics and balance. Understanding shoulder width is essential for accurately representing both the figure and face, as it can influence posture, movement, and the visual impact of a painting or drawing.
Sight-size method: The sight-size method is a drawing technique where the artist observes the subject from a fixed position and replicates its proportions and details at the same scale as the actual subject. This method emphasizes accuracy in representation, allowing artists to create a more lifelike portrayal of the face and figure by directly comparing their work to the real object.
Symmetry: Symmetry refers to the balanced and proportionate arrangement of elements in a composition, creating harmony and visual stability. It can manifest in various forms, such as bilateral symmetry, where one side mirrors the other, or radial symmetry, which radiates from a central point. Understanding symmetry is crucial for achieving aesthetically pleasing designs and effective compositions in art, especially when considering how to draw the human figure and facial features accurately.
Vitruvian Man: The Vitruvian Man is a famous drawing created by Leonardo da Vinci around 1490, depicting a male figure in two superimposed positions with his arms and legs outstretched in a circle and square. This iconic image symbolizes the ideal human body proportions based on the work of the ancient Roman architect Vitruvius, connecting the concepts of geometry and human anatomy to explore the harmony of man within nature.
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