Height Comparison Figures: Shared Baseline and Proportion Scale

Object Drawing Lessons

Drawing figures at correct relative heights is a foundational skill in illustration and design. This lesson teaches a reliable method: establish a shared baseline, mark height tick marks, and use a proportion scale bar to place figures at specified relative heights. You will practice comparing three silhouettes and then draw a new figure at a given height relative to them. The focus is on proportion and scale, not individual detail or perspective.

Practice materials: Printable downloads are not available for this lesson yet. Use the instructions and four exercises below.

Setting Up a Shared Baseline and Height Tick Marks

Begin by drawing a horizontal baseline across your paper. This line represents the ground on which all figures stand. Above the baseline, draw a vertical axis and mark evenly spaced tick marks. Label the lowest tick as zero and assign each subsequent tick a hypothetical height unit, for example 1, 2, 3, and 4 units. These units are arbitrary; they only need to be consistent across the drawing.

Next, create a proportion scale bar: a horizontal bar divided into equal segments that correspond to the height units. This bar lets you transfer heights from the axis to any figure without measuring with a ruler each time. For instance, if one segment equals one unit, a figure that should be three units tall will have its top at the third tick mark.

1. Draw a horizontal baseline using a straight edge.
2. Draw a vertical axis at the left side of the page, perpendicular to the baseline.
3. Mark tick marks at equal intervals along the axis and label them 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 (hypothetical units).
4. Draw a horizontal scale bar with the same interval length and divide it into equal segments.

Drawing Three Silhouettes at Different Heights

Using the axis, draw three simple figure silhouettes standing on the baseline. Their feet must touch the baseline. The top of each silhouette should align with a tick mark. For example, figure A reaches the 2-unit tick, figure B reaches the 3-unit tick, and figure C reaches the 4-unit tick. Keep the silhouettes simple: a rounded head, a rectangular body, and straight legs. The goal is to show relative height, not anatomical detail.

Check that each figure's top aligns with its intended tick. If a figure is meant to be taller than another, its top must be higher on the axis. Use the scale bar to verify that the difference between two figures equals the difference in their tick values.

1. Draw figure A with feet on the baseline and top at the 2-unit tick.
2. Draw figure B with feet on the baseline and top at the 3-unit tick.
3. Draw figure C with feet on the baseline and top at the 4-unit tick.
4. Compare the tops: C is tallest, B is middle, A is shortest.

Adding a New Figure at a Specified Relative Height

Suppose you need to add figure D that is 1 unit taller than figure B but 1 unit shorter than figure C. Since B is at 3 units and C is at 4 units, D should be at 3.5 units. Locate the midpoint between the 3 and 4 tick marks on the axis. Draw figure D with feet on the baseline and top at that midpoint. Use the scale bar to confirm the half-unit height.

When the specified height falls between tick marks, estimate the fraction of the interval. Keep the silhouette proportions consistent with the other figures: if the head is one-fifth of the total height for figure B, use the same ratio for figure D. This maintains visual consistency while achieving the correct relative height.

1. Identify the target height in units (e.g., 3.5 units).
2. Find the corresponding position on the vertical axis, estimating between tick marks if needed.
3. Draw the new silhouette with feet on the baseline and top at the target position.
4. Verify using the scale bar that the new figure's height matches the target.

Checking Proportion and Scale

After drawing, verify that all figures share the same baseline and that their tops align with the intended tick marks or estimated positions. Use the scale bar to measure each figure's height in units. The difference between any two figures' heights should equal the difference in their tick values. For example, if figure A is 2 units and figure C is 4 units, the height difference should be 2 units on the scale bar.

Also check that the silhouettes are proportional to each other. If you used a head-to-body ratio for one figure, apply the same ratio to all. Consistent proportions make the height comparison clear and believable.

1. Confirm all feet touch the baseline.
2. Measure each figure's height with the scale bar and record the units.
3. Compare recorded heights to intended tick values.
4. Check that head-to-body ratios are consistent across figures.

Worked example

On a shared baseline with tick marks at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 units, draw three silhouettes: figure A at 1.5 units, figure B at 2.5 units, and figure C at 3.5 units. Then add figure D at 2 units. Describe the relative heights.

Four practice exercises

Common mistakes

• Figures do not share the same baseline, causing incorrect height comparison. Redraw all figures so their feet rest on the same horizontal baseline.
• Top of a figure does not align with the intended tick mark. Use the scale bar to adjust the figure's top to the correct tick or estimated position.
• Inconsistent proportions between figures (e.g., different head sizes relative to body). Choose a simple head-to-body ratio and apply it to every figure.
• Ignoring fractional heights when the target falls between tick marks. Estimate the fraction of the interval using the scale bar and place the top accordingly.

Self-check rubric

• All figures share the same horizontal baseline.
• Each figure's top aligns with the intended tick mark or estimated fractional position.
• The scale bar is used consistently to define height units.
• Silhouette proportions (e.g., head-to-body ratio) are consistent across figures.
• Relative heights match the specified values within a reasonable estimation error.

Questions and answers