In this step by step tutorial, I’ll show you how to draw the basic standing figure for your fashion sketches. It’s one of many ways to draw fashion figures and croquis in minutes, no matter if you are a complete beginner, a  fashion school student, or a professional designer.

This was my very first fashion figure drawing tutorial I posted on YouTube, which became one of my most-watched videos. Back then I used a ruler and compasses to construct the figure, but you really don’t need any measuring tools to learn how to draw like a fashion designer.

Step 1: The line of balance and body height

The first step I start with is drawing a  nine heads scale and placing a vertical line- the line of balance. The line of balance is your guide to keeping the figure centered.

Then I draw in an ellipse for the figure’s head inside unit 1. The width of the shoulders is two heads, so I mark the widest point of the shoulders with two additional vertical lines. The last thing I add is the secondary lines, which are mostly one-third of each unit. I’ll recommend labeling the marks until you know the proportions by heart.

• 1 Mark: chin
• 1 ^1/3 Mark: shoulders
• 2 Mark: armpits and top of the bust
• 2 ^1/3 Mark: bottom of the bust
• 3 Mark: waist and elbows
• 4 Mark: “middle point”
• 4 ^1/3 Mark: crotch
• 6 1/3 Mark: knees
• 6 1/2 Mark: bottom of the knees/ height of a chair
• 8 2/3 Mark: ankles
• 9 Mark: feet

Step 2: Create the torso

Once the units are clear I go on with the torso. To find the location of the shoulder joints, I create a line, starting at mark 0, in about 30 degrees to the line of balance. I extend the line until it crosses mark 1^1/3.

At mark 3, I hint the width of the waist is one head unit and lastly, I make a cross at 4 ^1/3 for the crotch or pelvis.

Now all you need for the torso is to connect the shoulder joints, with the waist and the crotch.

A triangular shape is an abstract form of the figure. Later I can flesh out the body by following this shape as I add the muscles.

 

Step 3: Hips and thighs

The crotch, pelvis, or hip line is the main division point. If you are a traditional artist or costume designer looking for a natural body, then use the eight-unit scale.  In this case, the body from the pelvis up to the top of the skull will be equal to the length of the legs, with the feet in flats.

If you are but a fashion illustrator or designer, you will want to elongate the legs from the crotch down to create a nine heads figure. In this case, mark the joints of the knees at 6 ^1/3 .

Now I sketch a curve by starting at the waist and go outwards to create the hip and thigh until I reach the knee at 6^1/2. Repeating the same technique on the other side of the balance line, the hips width should be about 1^1/2 heads.

 

Step 4: Calves and Feet

The width of the lower legs is about one head unit.

To draw the calves, start at the knees at mark 6^1/3  Draw an outwards going curve until you reach the ankles at mark 8^2/3.

The remaining one-third of the unit is for the feet in flats. If the model is wearing high heels, add another half of a unit for the heels.

 

Step 5: Arms and Hands

To construct the arms you need to connect the shoulder joints with the elbows at waist level, and the wrists at the crotch level.

The hands are going then from the crotch level up to mark 5. This is the final front view of the fashion croqui.

The outline of the back view of the figure looks the same, with some differences in the muscle structure.

 

Basic Standing Figure: Proportions Review

In conclusion, there are some rules you can follow to keep the figure in correct proportions and balance. Here is the figure drawing at one glance.

• To add the joints of the figure, you need to add the secondary lines by working in thirds.
• The belly button is at 3 ^1/6
• The figure is 2 heads wide
• The width of the armpits equals the width of the hips = 1^1/2 heads
• The waist equals the width of the calves = 1 head
• The thighs measured from the crotch to the knees have the same length as the calves measured from the knees to the ankles
• The elbows lie at the same level as the waist
• The wrists are at the same level as the crotch

 

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Because my drawing style has changed, I no longer use this measuring scale. Now I prefer the more elongated 10 heads figure. However, if you want a croqui with proportions close to those of a real human body, this technique is a great resource for you. Check out the video:

If you want to learn other ways of constructing a figure or what’s the difference between the different fashion proportions, read on!

• 1 link
• 2 link
• 3 link

And when you’re super rushed and need a fashion croqui to sketch your ideas to paper without a lot of time or work, you can grab the free Basic Bundle. It features the most essential fashion figure templates for every illustration. It’s a selection of printable front, back as well as side figure templates to help you draw professional fashion design sketches.

You can always support our efforts by checking the paid templates as well! We’ve got:

• Female Catwalk Plus Size Model
• The Red Carpet Fashion Promo Set
• Curvy Fashion Croqui

And many more.