[Lesson 10] Drawing a Basic Figure

Finally, you are about to combine everything you’ve seen in the previous lessons so you can create a Basic Fashion Figure! This is so exciting!

Okay, this basic figure will have a simple standing pose. It is very popular among fashion designers because it is simple, easy to draw, and it allows people to see the full outfit on the front view.

The fashion figure’s size and proportions vary from designer to designer, and from illustrator to illustrator. Everyone adds reduces or changes something or some things to make the figures look different and recognizable as theirs. And once you become familiar with the basic proportions, you can experiment and add more of you to your drawings.

The Human Body in Fashion Drawing.

The fashion figures I present here are based on a 9 head height (remember?). That means that the figure is divided into 9 equal parts, and each part is the same size as the head of the figure. So, 1 head becomes the main measurement unit along the following lessons.

Why 9 Heads?

Eight heads are the approximate real proportion to the human body. But as you saw in lesson 6, in fashion drawing and illustration the legs of the figure are usually elongated to make the body look more stylish.

Should you stick to these proportions?

It is completely up to you. You may finish one figure with these proportions in order to get familiar with the method. Or as you have already practiced varying the sizes and proportions of the extremities, you may create your drawings with the proportions you like the most.

Nothing is set in stone, this time is for you to explore and experiment, to improve your skills, and why not, to start realizing which features, sizes, and proportions can be part of your signature style and which don’t.

So, how do you draw the Basic Figure?

To draw a basic figure, and any figure in any pose, we will do it in 3 phases:

Phase 1. Determine the basic lines, pose, and proportions of the figure.

Phase 2. Determine the basic shapes for all extremities and torso.

Phase 3. Come up with the final figure, round the body, and give the figure its natural organic look. And also, add the face and hair.

Does the process sound familiar? Of course! It is how you’ve been drawing the hands, arms, legs and feet 😀

Now practice and draw a lot of figures. Use the Balance Line as the center of the Body (this line is supposed to go straight down from the base of the neck to the floor). Experiment with different kinds of arms, hands, legs, feet, faces, and torsos. Mix and match until you find the PERFECT figure for you.

And share your drawings, and tell me what you like the most about your figures, what you want to try next, and your struggles (big and small).

 

Share your doubts, ups and downs!

LESSON 9

LESSON 11