The proportional measurements of the parts of the human body vary slightly for every person, making them unique; paying attention to these variations will help you render accurate likenesses. But first it’s important to understand how we’re all the same by studying the average proportions of the human body, which are more apparent when we look at the skeletal and muscular views of the body. When drawing a figure, we measure in “heads,” the vertical distance from the top of the head to the chin. Use rough measurements to help place the parts of your figure. If a head or other body part appears too large or too small, you can check the body’s proportions to correct the problem.
SKELETAL STRUCTURE By studying bone structure, we can clearly see the relationship of the length of each part of the body to the whole.
BODY MUSCULATURE Proportion doesn’t apply to length alone—the thickness of the body also must be proportionate. This aspect of proportion varies depending on the fitness of the individual, but the drawing above will help you assess these proportions based on an ideal human musculature.
MALE PROPORTIONS The average male is approximately 7-1/2 heads high; of course, these proportions vary with different body types. Often artists use an 8-head-high figure for the male as an ideal proportion.
FEMALE PROPORTIONS The average female is about half a head shorter than the male, or 7 heads high. Artists often elongate the female figure, especially in fashion drawings. Generally the female has narrower shoulders and a smaller waist than a male, but proportionally wider hips.