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Tutorial: Adult & Child Proportions

Share Tweet In the previous drawing post, I touched upon the differences between males and females when attempting to draw correct proportions. This time around, were going to look at the differences in the human form as it progressively ages. We all know that a small child is not built to the same proportions as a grown man/woman so in order for your drawing to accurately represent a human in all walks of life, you need to understand the ratios for those specific age groups.

Proportions between adults and children Note the following proportion differences: Adult = 8 heads tall, with a head size of 9 inches 15 year old = 7 1/2 heads tall with a head size of 9 inches 10 year old = 7 heads tall with a head size of 7 1/2 inches 5 years old = 6 heads tall with a head size of 7 inches 3 years old = 5 heads tall with a head size of 6 1/2 inches 1 year old = 4 heads tall with a head size of 6 inches According to Andrew Loomis, the creator of this chart from Figure Drawing for All Its Worth there is a gradual increase in the size of the head of about 3 inches from a toddler to an adult. As the body progresses to shape itself, youll note that the legs of the subject will extend at about twice the rate of the torso. These heights are all relative, but act as a great guide for creating proper proportions for a man, woman and child if they are all in the same viewing area. Try out the following exercise: 1. Much like the previous entry on proportion, do some freehand sketches to note the difference between a childs proportions and an adults proportions. Remember the number of head units needed for each. 2. Try an anterior, posterior and lateral set of views. 3. Remember to modify the look of the young child to resemble a young child (pudginess, wide eyes, lack of muscular definition) otherwise you will run the risk of drawing your figure to resemble a dwarf/little person. 4. Move on to your computer and try out the exercise using the guide lines from your drawing software to create exact proportions. 5. Compare and adjust as necessary. You should now understand the concept of proportions and have a better grasp of creating realism through the use of varying sizes and shapes and body types of the human form. Check back for my next entry which will deal with proportions in relation to space/perspectives.

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Tags: Drawing, proportions

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 18th, 2009 at 1:43 pm and is filed under Tutorials. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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12 Responses to Tutorial: Adult & Child Proportions

1. Juan Diego Says:
March 3rd, 2009 at 5:44 pm

Hi there, Ive been looking exactly for an image like the one you posted above, and I sadly had to say like for many others i have found, it doesnt convince me. I mean (and not intending to offend you the creator or anyone), look at that one year old child, he seems like a two or three years old; and that three has to be like 6 or 7 years old, and so on. I noted that this pic says prop2 so where`s the prop1 ? Have you found any other drawings more realistic?(As a petition no in means to offend, really) 2. Drezz Says:
March 4th, 2009 at 9:25 am

No worries at all Diego this chart is more of a rough reference guide and not a strict code. As an artist you have the liberty of control when youre drawing. These images were taken from Andrew Loomis book and I personally have found that most of these guides tend to exaggerate features to an idealistic proportion rather than a true proportion. The point of this chart was to show more of a difference between a grown adult and a baby/young child. You wouldnt draw a 1-2 year old child in the same body proportion as an adult (4 heads vs 7-8 heads). I totally agree with the 1 year old looking like a 2-3 year old kid. Thats a big baby! 3. animazzata Says:
June 29th, 2010 at 3:37 pm

This chart has been super helpful, thanks very much! Has anyone come upon a chart like this for females? It would also be cool to see the change between 16, 18 & say 22 or 25. A person in their 20s generally doesnt look like someone in their 30s or 40s. And how about Gramps? His spine is curved, is generally shorter than in his prime, with bigger hands, feet and smaller jaw. Just curious to see if anyone has gone super in-depth with this. 4. stuart Says:
July 15th, 2010 at 3:42 pm

my head is 9inches face 8 inches n head 57.5cm in circumreference im also about 58/59 im a 20yr old male wb please 5. Bob Says:
November 7th, 2010 at 1:59 am

I think the issue I have with this chart is that its increadibly linear across 2 growth spurts. The way I see it is that there should be a steep rise in size for the first 2-3 years. Then a slow rise in size till puberty (so roughly then next 8-10 years) and then a steep rise into adulthood. 6. Fiona Says:
April 2nd, 2011 at 11:02 pm

Can you please, please draw the same proportions of child to adult for a female body? This would help wonderfully for my sculptures. Thank you so much! Your drawings are so much help! 7. Doreen Mcghay Says:
April 17th, 2011 at 4:03 am

Have you ever considered about including a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is valuable and everything. Nevertheless imagine if you added some great visuals or video clips to give your posts more, pop! Your content is excellent but with pics and videos, this site could undeniably be one of the most beneficial in its niche. Superb blog! 8. A Drawing | This Week In Bean Says:
September 15th, 2011 at 7:07 am

[...] was also a re-cap of how to measure and observe and get the proportions of a subject correct. This was immediately useful to me because I have always struggled with getting the proportions of [...] 9. Audrey Says:
October 19th, 2011 at 11:02 am

can you please describle the porpotion (not size) between baby and adult? 10. drawing by cm4glos - Pearltrees Says:
December 2nd, 2011 at 4:47 pm

[...] Tutorial: Adult & Child Proportions | idrawdigital Tutorials for Drawing Digital Comics In the previous drawing post , I touched upon the differences between males and females when attempting to draw correct proportions. This time around, were going to look at the differences in the human form as it progressively ages. [...] 11. drawing sites Says:
April 11th, 2012 at 10:00 am

drawing sites [...]Tutorial: Adult & Child Proportions | idrawdigital Tutorials for Drawing Digital Comics[...] 12. Iron Man Mark IV for 5 year old son Says:
September 17th, 2012 at 5:46 pm

[...] And about the formula, that has no chance of working on a child's frame, take a look at this: Tutorial: Adult & Child Proportions | idrawdigital Tutorials for Drawing Digital Comics You doing this for [...]

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