Cut Out + Keep

The Halfway Rule

How to Draw Everything

https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/the-halfway-rule • Posted by St. Martin's Press

Most heads are roughly oval in shape, like an upside-down egg. The halfway rule is a rough guide to where the eyes, nose and mouth should go. It works like this: Eyes halfway between the top of the head and the chin. Nose halfway between the eyes and the chin. Mouth halfway between the nose and the chin. This head is slightly tilted so the lines across will be slightly curved.

You will need

Project Budget
Cheap

Time

0 h 10

Difficulty

Nice & Simple
Medium 112418 2f2015 12 09 134647 screen%2bshot%2b2015 12 09%2bat%2b13.29.12

Description

Most heads are roughly oval in shape, like an upside-down egg. The halfway rule is a rough guide to where the eyes, nose and mouth should go. It works like this: Eyes halfway between the top of the head and the chin. Nose halfway between the eyes and the chin. Mouth halfway between the nose and the chin. This head is slightly tilted so the lines across will be slightly curved.

Instructions

  1. Small 112418 2f2015 12 09 134641 screen%2bshot%2b2015 12 09%2bat%2b13.46.27

    When you draw heads, use a light, searching line that you can modify or erase if you need to. The line down the middle helps to track the bridge of the nose.

  2. Small 112418 2f2015 12 09 134707 screen%2bshot%2b2015 12 09%2bat%2b13.46.52

    Lightly sketch in the eyes, nose and mouth. The space between the eyes can alter appearance dramatically. Mouths are also revealing of character

  3. Small 112418 2f2015 12 09 134714 screen%2bshot%2b2015 12 09%2bat%2b13.29.12

    Necks are unexpectedly thick. The bottom of the ears line up roughly with the bottom of the nose, though it can depend on the angle of the head.