Artists have known for centuries that the average human adult body is made from parts that are in proportion to each other in predictable ways. If you draw your figures according to these ratios, your finished work will look more natural.           Body Proportions At the right is a photograph with some of these common proportions shown. We should emphasize that these are averages, and will not necessarily hold true for every adult. In fact, what makes humans unique is that they come in a variety of shapes and sizes! Click on the photo to enlarge and shrink it. If you want your sketches and drawings to look natural, using these ratios will help. The head width is used as a guide to shoulder width, which should be about three head widths. All of the other measurements are based on head height: - The average adult is seven heads tall. - The top of the hips are four heads high. - The pelvic region is about one head high. - Elbow to fingertip is about two head lengths. - Wrist to fingertip is one head length. Leonardo da Vinci also used these ideal measurements when he was sketching the human figure. The drawing by da Vinci entitled 'Vitruvian Man' is based on a model of ideal proportions established by the ancient Roman Vitruvius.          Facial Proportions Here is a list of standard facial proportions that can give you a good idea of what is 'average'. - The eyes are halfway between the top of the head and the chin. - The upper lip top is halfway between the eyes and the chin. - The corners of the mouth line up with the centers of the eyes. - The top of the ears line up on the eyebrows. - The bottom of the ears line up with the bottom of the nose. Remember, these are average values. Very few faces will follow every one of these ratios exactly, but if you make your sketches agree with them, you will get pleasing results. We've included a printable list of body and face proportions, for your convenience. Art Lessons