How tall are you? Most likely 7 to 8 heads tall.
That is a rule of thumb based on the proportions of the Vitruvian Man. The Man is 8 heads tall but the less well-proportioned among us will probably have to settle for 7.
I first came across this Man in architecture school while studying the works of Le Corbusier (Charles-Edouard Jeanneret) who developed the Modulor based on the human proportions. Through the Modulor, the human scale played a part in the conceptualization of well known architectural works such as Notre Dame du Haute, Ronchamp and Unite d’Habitation, Marseille in France.
Back to the Man. Why Marcus Vitruvius Pollio did not pick the woman instead of the man puzzles me because the female figure is indisputably more interesting. Ask any man.
Anyway, we have the croquis based on 7 to 8 heads. But fashion illustrators are inclined to stretch it up to 9 heads with longer legs. Why? Who does not wish to have longer legs? Besides, taller figures carry clothes better, like Barbara Millicent Roberts.
I am in a croquish mood, having fun sketching female figures. Later, I will dress them all up with clothes I could only dream about. That was what I did with paper dolls when I was little.
