Foreshortened Anatomy

Meep the Greek · Post by **Meep the Greek** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 12:34 pm

Havin' some minor trouble with a foreshortened shot of one of my characters. Basically, you're on the ground looking up at a very tall character (Edit - who is looking down at you). None of my anatomical books had a picture for reference, I fear the sheer volume of secret up-skirt panty shots I'd get if I try to Google for images, and I can't find my digital camera.

The line art (kinda quick and crappy, but I figured this would be easier to critique than the actual sketch):

And a very quick color rough to round her out a bit:

Her hands, thighs and hips are what I'm most worried about, but anything else you can think of is helpful - anything misaligned, misproportioned, anything like that?

(Good thing I wear glasses, 'cuz I nearly poked myself in the eye trying to use my own hand as a reference - I am soooo talented.)

Also, if you happen to have any pictures of people with weaponry (any kind of weaponry at all, but especially swords, mases/morningstars, knives and guns), especially weapons that are in their sheaths/holsters/whatever and actually on the person's body, I would kiss your feet forever and ever if you could send me a link - probably in PM or e-mail so as not to clutter up the thread.

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 12:54 pm

If I might be so bold...
Your drawing is too vertical. Technically, the perspective is fine and, with the exception of the fingers, the foreshortening is OK. However, the strict vertical line of it removes some of the interest of the drawing and makes it appear too stiff.
Try tipping the character forward just a little, enough to bring her face a little more forward over her torso so that it looks more natural; with the angle you have her at, she would have to be craning her neck at an almost 90 degree angle to see achieve this pose. Possible, but not likely.
The thighs of the character are fine, but the hands really throw it off. If you must have the hands placed like this, try doing underdrawings of the fingers as foreshortened cylinders first, then round off the tips. Take a look at some of Jim Lee's work...he is a master at foreshortening to good effect.
IMO, it would be preferable for the piece to break up the vertical line even further by changing the position of the hands, perhaps placing them on the hips, or hooking the thumbs into the waistband of the shorts. It would make the piece more interesting overall and help solve the problem of foreshortening.

Dburkhead · Post by **Dburkhead** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 12:58 pm

It looks to me like the figure is bending forward slgithly at the waist. If that's the intent, fine.

Faub · Post by **Faub** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 3:17 pm

The face should be much more visible. If you can, take a mirror, place it on the floor and look down. That will give you as good a reference as you'll probably get. Or lay on the floor and have a friend stand over you. If this friend is willing to do so, keep them.

Gengar003 · Post by **Gengar003** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 3:26 pm

faub wrote:If this friend is willing to do so, keep them.

Dominic wrote:bring her face a little more forward over her torso so that it looks more natural; with the angle you have her at, she would have to be craning her neck at an almost 90 degree angle to see achieve this pose.

Maybe she's just really busty?

Seriously, though, he does have a point. While sitting here typing this I'm trying to imitate that pose... Is the looking down supposed to be a sort of curious "what's-that" look, or a condescending "you're below me" look? Cause when I want to see something below me, I *would* bend over all the way and have my whole face showing, but if I was "looking down" on someone, I would not bend my neck much at all; just a little bend and let my eyes do the rest.

Meep the Greek · Post by **Meep the Greek** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 10:09 pm

Just wanted to say a belated "Thank you!" to everybody who posted. I really, really appreciate your suggestions and help. I've made a spirited attempt to incorporate your suggestions, and it should be posted in a little while once I've got it colored and uploaded (late! Shame on me).

In the end I think it beat me up a bit, but I did break up the stiff vertical-ness a bit and I brought her face forward - although not very obviously, since her facial features won't be all that visible.

In any case, the strip might be done, but I think I'll work on the sketches a bit more in any case, 'cuz I didn't quite have enough time to do as much fiddling as I had hoped.

(And Gengar, it's the condescending "You're below me" look and she is rather busty! :wink: )