Sketching Croquis: The Fashion Designer's 9-Head Figure
Real people are usually about 7 to 7.5 of their own heads tall. But when fashion designers sketch, they draw figures that are 9 or even 10 heads tall. Why stretch the body like that? Because a taller, longer figure shows off clothes better. The extra length gives more room to draw how a skirt drapes or how pants fall. This special stretched figure is called a 'croquis' (say it: kroh-KEE), a French word meaning 'quick sketch'.
What You'll Learn
In this lesson you will: - Explain what a croquis is and why designers use one - Use the '9-head' rule to keep your figure balanced - Sketch a simple croquis and dress it in your own design
The 9-Head Rule
Designers measure the body in 'heads.' Draw a small oval at the top for the head. That oval is your ruler. The whole figure is about 9 of those ovals tall. Roughly: the head is head 1. The shoulders sit near the bottom of head 2. The waist is around head 3. The hips are near head 4. The knees land around head 6, and the feet finish at head 9. Marking these points first keeps your figure from looking lopsided.
A croquis is only the body outline. Designers keep a stack of blank croquis and trace over them again and again, drawing different outfits on the same pose. It saves time so they can focus on the clothes, not redrawing legs.
The Balance Line
Draw a straight vertical line down the middle before anything else. This is the 'balance line.' In a standing pose, the weight rests on one leg, so that foot should touch the balance line at the bottom. If the foot floats off to the side, the figure looks like it is tipping over. The waist and hips often tilt in opposite directions to make the pose look alive. This gentle S-curve is what makes a fashion sketch feel like a real person striking a pose.
Once your body is sketched, drawing clothes is the fun part. Follow the shape of the body but let fabric 'float' a little away from it. A stiff jacket has sharp straight edges. A soft dress has curvy, flowing lines. The way you draw the edge tells the viewer what the fabric feels like.
Flashcards — click each card to reveal the answer
Why do designers draw a croquis taller than a real person?
What is the balance line used for?
Design a Croquis Lookbook Page
1. On paper, lightly draw a small head oval near the top. 2. Stack 8 more equal ovals below it to mark the 9 heads, then sketch a simple body along those marks with a balance line down the middle. 3. Trace your croquis twice more so you have three identical figures. 4. Dress each one in a different outfit (a school look, a party look, a rainy-day look). 5. Add a title and your name to make a real 'lookbook' page to share.
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