The proportions of an adult female are similar to those of the male figure. The legs of the female figure make up half its overall height, which is equal to seven-and-a-half times the head height.
10" × 8" (25cm × 20cm) medium-texture drawing paper
2B graphite pencil
kneaded eraser
With a 2B pencil, sketch a vertical balance line to keep the image straight. Add horizontal lines for the base of the feet, top of the head and add a centerline. Sketch a horizontal line between the top line and the centerline, making up one-fourth the total height. Sketch another horizontal line between the top line and the previous line, making up one-eighth the total height. One more horizontal line added slightly below the last line will be used for the size of the head. A proportioning device can be used to check that seven-and-a-half of the head’s size makes up the height of the figure.
Sketch the form of the head with a straight line for the front of the face; add two vertical lines for the thickness of the torso. Sketch circles for the shoulder socket of the arm and for the knee with attention to their placement in relation to the balance lines. Sketch two short horizontal lines, one for the waist and another for the placement of the fingertips.
Add more form to the front and back of the torso along with the neck, arm, legs and feet. Add details, including the hand and lines for the placement of facial features.
Develop and refine the overall form and add details including fingers, clothes and lines for the placement of the hair and facial features.
Erase unwanted lines and finish the drawing by adding the values.