Figure and Form
Figure and form
This domain tests whether figures look constructed, weighted and related to one another, not pasted cut-outs. The paper usually rewards believable proportion, a clear gesture and grouping that tells a story.
Core rules
- Adult standing proportion is commonly 7–7.5 heads; the eye line sits near the midpoint of the standing figure. Shoulders are about two head-widths, the elbow reaches the waist, the wrist reaches the crotch, and the hand is roughly face-length.
- Start with a line of action, then build ribcage and pelvis as tilted boxes; the weight-bearing leg carries the body, and the opposite hip drops in contrapposto.
- Grouping depends on overlap, scale, eyelines and interaction. Vary poses and heights; avoid a police-lineup row.
Worked example
Theme: 'waiting at the bus stop.' Draw one standing figure at 7.5 heads leaning on a pole, one seated figure with compressed torso and knees forming a horizontal counter-shape, and a child at about half adult height. Reasoning: the standing figure anchors the group; the seated figure lowers the silhouette and creates a triangle; the child's smaller scale confirms depth and relationship. Overlap the seated figure slightly in front of the pole so the group coheres.
Traps
Same head size on every figure regardless of depth, stick limbs without mass, feet floating above the ground line, identical poses, and grouping by even spacing. Check contact points-feet, seat, hands-because they sell weight.