The skull provides the basis for understanding the form of the head. The three large masses of the head are the cranium, the skeleton of the face and jaw. Consider the forms of these masses simply. The cranium as a sphere, the face as a flat plane that descends off the cranium and tapers toward the chin and the jaw as a horse shoe shape that hinges underneath. Notice where the skull protrudes to provide landmarks, where it recedes under the flesh. (Following two examples are from Szunyoghy's Human Anatomy for Artists)
The profile of skull. Notice the ear hole location, not centered but 2/3 of the way toward the back. Also see how the head rests slightly forward on the neck.
BEGINNING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HEAD
In the construction of the head, it is better to begin with a cube in stead of the familiar oval. The oval is non -specific, the eye won't rest on a curve and cannot find a register point. The cube gives a sense of mass, perspective, foreshortening, angle/ tilt. Also importantly, it gives a sense of the third edge. From this starting point we can begin thinking of planes as they relate to the head - top, front, two sides, back, and bottom.
The basic measurements for the cube are 2/3 wide, 3/3 high. The side of the cube (profile) is 7/8 of the height. ( From the profile it looks ALMOST square, from the front (face) it is a tall rectangle.)
The basic proportions and location of the facial features can be constructed as the example demonstrates (Example is from the website Draw23.)
-A Vertical Line down the center from top of head to chin. Through this line we see the Bilateral Symmetry of the features.
-A Horizontal Line is placed at the halfway point. This indicates the lower lids of the eyes.
- The whole height can be again divided, but this time in thirds. The upper horizontal line indicating the middle of the forehead, the second the base of the nose. In the bottom third, two thirds of the way up to the nose is the center line of the mouth.
- The corners of the mouth line up vertically with the center of the eyes.
- The top of the Ear lines up horizontally just above the eye at the eye brow.
-The bottom of the ear lines up with the base of the nose.
Most of these guidelines can be drawn in on the cube, allowing you to place the head spatially and in perspective.
Below we see an example from Bridgman's Constructive Anatomy demonstrating the planes in the head. These are very basic, but a good way to begin to refine your head form.
Below is an example from Szunyoghy's Human Anatomy for Artists. It further illustrates some of the agreed upon proportions in the head. Included are the space between the eyes equals one eye width. The whole width of the head is five eye widths. Also illustrated is the top and bottom of the ear as they relate to the eye brow and nose (good marker). The width of the nose is also illustrated to be approximately the space between the eyes.
IMPORTANT NOTE*- All these proportions were largely agreed upon during the Renaissance, and are considered guides, not hard and fast rules. they do not necessarily account for the variation of people, races, ages, etc.Below is another Bridgman example providing some insight into the neck and head the muscles track and connect with the skull. Of particular note is the Streno -cleido- mastoid (#8) a great reference point in figure drawing, spanning from the clavicle to behind the ear.
Student Example
Student Example
Student Example
Click here for a great demonstration of the process of portrait drawing. pay special attention to how the drawing is started and built, large shadow shapes paced, the back and forth of the blurring and clarifying. All this process of patient construction amounts to a very good portrait in the end!
Thanks for posting this. I was confused while studying Bridgman's Constructive Anatomy book on the proportions of the head. That Draw23 example helped cure my confusion.
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