A beginners guide to drawing leg

Depending on the position of your subject and the angle from which you are viewing her you will find that the shape and overall perspective of the leg will change.

In the following examples I will try to demonstrate the proportion of the leg in relation to its position by adding a line down the centre and then dividing it into equal parts. Also note the angle of each line as this will help you understand and set out your own sketch. Please remember that this is only a guide.

In this first example of a kneeling nude you can instantly see that her lower left leg appears shorter than her right. This of course is an optical illusion as there is no way her leg could have become shorter based purely on how she is posed. It is a good demonstration of how the proportion of the legs change depending on their position and how they are being viewed. Notice also the shape of the leg in relation to the muscle groups. Her upper leg gently curves over the quadriceps at the front and leg bicep at the back down to the knee. From the knee her shin to the front appears flatter but there is a distinct curve over her calf muscles at the back of her leg.

In the next example the upper left leg appears shorter than the right. Notice again the shape of the leg in relation to the muscle groups. In this example the subject is of a lighter build. Her upper right leg appears flatter as she has stretch her leg back slightly and her calf is more defined as she is pointing her toes and tightening the muscle showing more of its shape on the back of her leg.

in the next sketch of a nude lying on her side you can see that she is of a slightly heavier build, again note the shape of the legs in relation to her position. It is always important to take into account the position of the subjects legs in relation to the rest of their body. As demonstrated in these sketch's. Once you start to bend the subjects leg and move the subjects position the proportions of the upper and lower legs change making them appear longer or shorter.

In the two poses of two squatting nudes each nude has her legs spread and they are positioned in such a way that despite them being slightly differently posed they both still appear equal in proportion. This is because you are viewing them front on.

On the next page there are some more examples of a nude showing how the legs will look in different poses.

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Here are some more examples to help you understand the perspective and proportion of the legs when posed differently.

Notice the proportion of the legs when they are extended as in the standing pose and the nude lying with her leg outstretched. Also notice the apparent shortness of the lower leg on the kneeling nude.