Portraits & Caricatures Facial Anatomy & Proportions

Question 1

In classical portrait proportions, where are the eyes typically located on the face?

Accepted Answer

Halfway between the top of the head and the chin

Answer

The eyes sit at the halfway point between the top of the skull and the bottom of the chin, a proportion that surprises many beginners who tend to place them too high.

Question 2

What does the 'rule of fifths' describe in facial proportion?

Accepted Answer

The face can be divided into five equal vertical columns

Answer

The rule of fifths divides the face into five equal vertical sections, with each eye occupying one unit of width and the spaces at the outer edges matching one eye-width each.

Question 3

In classical facial proportions, what is the typical spacing between the two eyes?

Accepted Answer

One eye-width apart

Answer

The gap between the inner corners of the eyes ideally equals one eye-width, creating a balanced three-eye-width span across the central face.

Question 4

The philtrum refers to which specific facial feature?

Accepted Answer

The vertical groove running from the base of the nose to the upper lip

Answer

The philtrum is the vertical groove or channel between the base of the nose and the cupid's bow of the upper lip, an important landmark in portrait accuracy.

Question 5

What is the zygomatic arch in facial anatomy?

Accepted Answer

The cheekbone and its arch extending toward the ear

Answer

The zygomatic arch forms the cheekbone prominence and extends as a bony bridge toward the temporal region, defining the width and contour of the midface in portraits.

Portraits & Caricatures Practice Test

Portraits & Caricatures Practice Test

Portraits & Caricatures Facial Anatomy & Proportions