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Perspective & Forms

Compare near and far masses: overlap and the change in size are what put a figure in space.

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Full figures from above
From a high viewing angle, the head, shoulders, torso, and legs overlap much more strongly. Use the centerline and major body masses to control foreshortening before adding muscle detail.
Foreshortened arm and prop
Foreshortening can make an extended arm appear dramatically shorter or larger depending on its direction toward the viewer. Establish the shoulder, elbow, and hand positions first, then build the volumes between them.
Selfie camera and crop
Compare near and far masses; use overlap and changes in apparent size to show depth.
Foreshortened fist
This example uses cross contour lines to explain the arm and fist as three dimensional forms. Wrapping lines around the surface makes changes in perspective and volume much easier to understand.
Align the prop with the hand
Compare near and far masses; use overlap and changes in apparent size to show depth.
Foreshorten the reach
Compare near and far masses; use overlap and changes in apparent size to show depth.
Leg raised toward the viewer
Strong foreshortening: the sole of the foot comes out almost as big as the head, and the thigh shortens into one rounded mass. The circles mark ankle, knee and hip overlapping in depth — rely on overlap and size change, not length.
Three high-angle poses
Compare near and far masses; use overlap and changes in apparent size to show depth.
Twelve torso turns
The same bikini torso turned, tilted and twisted twelve ways. Follow the centre line from the sternum to the navel and the bikini strings around the hips — they show the turn of the ribcage and pelvis better than the outline does.