Polymer Clay Sculpting

Proportioning the Human Figure:
The illustrations below and above will help you translate the human form to fit the scale you are working in.

For centuries artists have divided and subdivided the human form, each seeking to improve their understanding of the body's particular proportions and to enhance their art. Drawn from several sources, this is a brief compilation of the proportional landmarks used by Da Vinci, Lanteri, Cousin, Richer, and Rimmer which you'll find useful in sculpting the human form. All of the proportional landmarks have variations which are effected by by race, gender, age, and body type; the differences that make each of us unique. For that reason, always keep the individual in mind while you sculpt.

Don't let the number of measurements discourage you. Put them to work and they'll become second nature. Learn to think in terms of head lengths, not inches or centimeters as you apply these landmarks to your polymer clay sculpture to achieve the realistic figure you envision.

Landmarks of the Head

The cranial box and the bones of the facial skeleton are roughly the same size and volume.
The face is 3/4ths the length of the head.
The width of the head on a level with the eyes is equal to 2/3rds the length of the head.
The width of the mandible (lower jaw) is 3/4ths the width of the head at its widest.
The eyes lie on a line midway between the top of the head and the base of the chin.
The eyes are equal 1/5th the width of the head, and the space between the eyes is equal to one eye width.
The base of the nose lies on a line equidistant between the eyebrows and the chin, 1/2 head width from chin.
The width of the nose is equal to the width of the eye.
The mouth lies on a line 3/8ths from the tip of the chin, or 1/2 head width from midline, and its width is equal to 1 1/2 eyes.
The upper rim of the ear is level with the highest point of the eyebrow and the lobe usually lies on a line level with the nostrils.
The ear begins on a line midway between the facial plain and the cranial box.
The width of the neck is 1/2 the head and the length from the chin to the pit of the neck varies from 1/4 to 1/3 of a head.

Landmarks of the Torso and Limbs

The length of the figure can vary from 6 1/2 heads to 7 3/4 heads tall. For their gladiators and gods, the Greeks and Romans preferred the dignity expressed by proportionally taller, longer limbed figure, 8 heads tall. The Mannerists often rendered figures 9 heads tall. Many of my sculptures follow the classical dimensions and are 8 heads tall, but most follow the average rule; and are 7 1/2 heads tall. The following are some of the prominent structures of the torso and limbs that serve as landmarks for proportion:

The distance from the tip of the chin to the nipples is 1 head length. The shoulder blades lie on that same line.
From the nipples to just above the navel is 1 head. The height of the buttocks lies on that same line.
The fork in the female and the base of the buttocks in the male lie 1 head length below the navel.
The shoulders are 2 heads at their widest in the male. In the female, the shoulders are slightly narrower.
The hollow between the collar bones is one head length.
In the male, the chest and hips are same width, 1 1/2 heads wide. In the female, the hips are 1 1/2 heads wide and the chest 1 1/4 heads wide.
The waist is a little more than one head wide in both.
Measure the legs and you'll find the distance from bottom of the foot to the gastrocnemus (inner calf muscle) is one head, and from the inner calf to the articulation of the knee is one head.
The distance from the knee to base of gracilis muscle (upper, inner thigh) is 1 head, and from the thigh to the fork is 1 head.
The midpoint of the body intersects the trochantor major (hip bone) in the female and lies just below that point in the male.
The arms are 3 head lengths, from the tip of the middle finger to the top of the armpit (the midpoint of the deltoid or shoulder muscle).
The elbow is 1 head length from armpit.
In the male, the distance from the head of ulna (wrist bone) to the tip of the middle finger is 1 head, falling above that line in the female.
The wrist (head of the ulna) lies on a line with the midpoint of the body.
The width of the arm averages a little less than 1/2 head at it widest.
The hand is the same size as the facial plain.
The arm of the male is slightly longer than the female's. The tip of the little finger falls on a line 3 heads from the bottom of the foot in the male, and slightly above that in the female.
The foot is equal to the twice the length of the face from eyebrows to chin, or 1/6th to 1/7th of the height.

Tip: Remember to proportion your scultures like the masters, always use your head.

Taken from Elvenwork tips site...