The head is often turned in the opposite direction to the body; this lends grace to the figure.
When drawing hands, keep them the same size, also be careful to have the feet mates.
TO DRAW THE FIGURE
Place the figure nicely on the paper; commence at the top, and swing in the correct oval. When this is done, measure down seven or eight heads to the standing foot, making a mark where the foot comes. Remember the standing line must pass through the ball of the foot. This takes but little time and can be easily erased if the figure does not fill the given space nicely.
If incorrect, begin again by redrawing the oval the proper size. Do not draw the features until the whole figure is swung in correctly.
Mark off the waist line one and three-quarter heads down, draw the shoulders, the bust, the standing hip, and one long line down to the standing foot, which is on the action side. Keep in mind all proportions and swing in the figure, using these spacings as guides.
Much study should be given to anatomy, so learn all you can of this interesting subject.
Professionals begin to draw with heavy lines, but light lines are advised until the student is fairly sure of his proportions.
PROPORTIONS OF CHILDREN
As children are "little people," no extra drawings are given, but the student must remember that their proportions are quite different from those of adults. So many scholars say, "Oh, I would just love to draw children, they are such cute little things." That is so, but be sure that you make them cute, and not little old men and women. A boy has squarer features than
a girl. Children's proportions vary according to their ages.
In fashions a tiny baby measures three (3) heads high; at four years, three and one-half (31/2) heads; from six to eight years, from five (5) to five and one-half (5 to 51/2) heads; from twelve to fourteen years, six to six and one-half (6 to 61/2) heads; at sixteen years from six and one-half to seven (61/2 to 7) heads. Their dresses, being short, help to denote their ages.
At fourteen the child becomes a young miss, and takes somewhat the build of a woman without any apparent bust projection. The dress is longer, and is still longer at sixteen years, but never as long as a woman's.