Comparative Measuring: Building Accurate Relationships

Description

Comparative measuring is the technique of using one part of your subject (a "unit") to measure and relate to every other part. Instead of guessing, you calculate: "The head fits into the body seven times," or "The width of the window is exactly two times its height."

Steps (steps)

1. 1
   Pick a Unit: Choose a small, clear part of your subject to be your "ruler" (e.g., the height of a head, the width of a mug).
2. 2
   Measure the Unit: Hold your pencil at arm's length. Align the tip with the top of your unit and your thumb with the bottom.
3. 3
   Compare Vertically: Count how many "units" high the entire subject is. Mark these increments on your paper.
4. 4
   Compare Horizontally: Use the same unit to check widths. "Is the torso 2 units wide or 2.5?"
5. 5
   Check Sub-divisions: Use the unit to find internal features (e.g., the waist is at 3 units down).
6. 6
   Draw the Block-in: Use these measured marks to draw the basic silhouette.

Tips

• Lock Your Elbow: If your arm isn't fully extended, your measurements will be inconsistent.
• Close One Eye: This flattens the world into 2D, making it easier to measure.
• Choose a Stable Unit: Don't pick something that changes size or is too small to see clearly.
• Trust the Measurement: Sometimes a measurement will feel "wrong" because your brain is trying to "fix" perspective. Trust your pencil over your assumptions.