How to Draw Groups of People and Figures in Perspective – Size of Figures and Objects in an Illustration

Figuring out what size to draw people, animals, figures, and objects within an illustration is one of the hardest aspects of drawing, in my opinion. However, using perspective techniques will allow you to properly size things in relation to each other. The following cartooning tutorial will guide you through the process…thanks to an old book I found. Have fun!

Here are More Perspective Drawing Tutorials

How to Draw Groups of People and Figures in Perspective – Size of Figures in an Illustration

Figures as well as objects in the drawing must be the correct size in relation to one another. With two or more figures in a drawing, it is a common mistake for a beginner to have one of the figures floating off the floor, or else, too tall for a door-way.

To place a figure in its correct position and keep it the right size is not difficult if you follow the simple system below.

By establishing the correct height of one figure, the correct height of all other figures of the same height is established by the two horizontal lines crossing the lines that lead from the figure to the vanishing point.

Perspective Drawing Techniques in Use

The pictures above have been diagramed to show you how the simple rules of perspective
apply to the daily drawing of cartoons- you will notice that in some places the finished ink lines of the drawings do not follow exactly the perspective lines. These are not errors, but they deliberately stretch the rules to emphasize a point or to permit the showing of more of the object or room.

As we have said before, perspective for the cartoonist is more of a corrective tool than an iron-bound set of rules to follow. The important thing is that the inked lines do go in the correct direction, which calls for the artist to have a fine understanding of the rules. As with drawing the figure, the cartoonist must first have a good knowledge of what is correct before he can simplify and take liberties with perspective.

Here are More Perspective Drawing Tutorials

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