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LESSON/ THE HEAD

The head is the most freąuently used and also the simplest form in cartooning. Therefore, the student should learn these proportions thoroughly before proceeding further. Although there is nothing difficult about the chart on the opposite page, it is too often abused due to carelessness.

The most important points are the SHAPE of the head and the PLACING and perfect BALANCE of the features. Can you draw a nice looking oval or egg-shape without much trouble? This may seem simple but you will be wise to practice sketching this simple form. After the oval is drawn. the next step is to locate the placing of the eyes which are on a horizontal linę halfway (usually) between the top of the head and the bottom of the chin. Then draw your perpendicular linę down through the center of the oval, to give the face an even BALANCE. Notę that the ears are placed between the eyebrows and the bottom of the nose. From the side or profile view, you will observe that the head is sąuare but that the features remain in the same relative position as in the front view. These rules are only a generał guide in the construction of a head drawing and vary, of course, accord-ing to the subject you are doing.

To overcome difficulties you may have in drawing the head, copy the shapes on this lesson’s chart over and over again, until you have thoroughly mastered them — then draw them from memory. Make these heads from one-half inch to five inches in depth. When you do this correctly, it will develop that confidence of knowledge which is one of the first important steps in creative drawing.