This is maybe is a touchy subject. However we shouldn't lie about what is true and what we "see".
おそらくこれはデリケートなテーマです。しかし、
What are the idea human figure proportions?
理想的な人体プロポーションとは？
"Wow, you have such a small face!"
ずいぶん顔が小さいわね！
If you are a westerner living in Japan (like myself), you will hear that odd sounding compliment at least once during your stay here.
西洋人が日本に滞在すると（私がそうです）、
Japanese nationals tend to think esterners have small heads to compliment their supposed "ideal looking" bodies. Small heads, long legs etc.
日本人は、西洋人は「理想的とする外観」の体に、
私は、
It's important to have an understanding of the proportions of our figures so we can draw them accurately or exaggerate them if necessary.
人間の体のプロポーションを理解するのは、正確に描くためにも、
Often schools teaching fine art use western looking figures with generally western features and proportions.
美術学校では、一般に西洋人の特徴とプロポーションを備えた、
We should note that these proportions will differ from one ethnic group to the other. These things are determined by genetics, diet, generation and even perhaps culture. The average American like myself, might be about 7 and a half heads tall in measurement. However in Japan the average man in this generation may be around 6 and a half heads high.
プロポーションは、民族によって異なります。これらは、
If you already have a sense on what the average proportions of humans are, then it's not so important to labor over it. However, if you don't it's very important that you do.
人間の平均的なプロポーションがわかっていれば、
In order to break the rules you have to know the rules!
ルールを破るには、ルールを知る必要があるのです！
As I noted before, the average human proportions are about 7.5 heads high....(not so impressive)
前にも述べたように、平均的な人間は約7.5頭身です。（
However, an "ideal" human would have proportions about 8 heads high. This is better, but essentially there is no "commentary" on the figure. No story.
ただし、「理想的な」人間のプロポーションは、約8頭身です。
However when we get into figures being more than 8 heads high, now we are getting into beyond what is normal. Now we are going into the figure looking dramatic and their proportions express they are more than the average or ideal human.
しかし、8頭身を超えると、正常な範囲を超えます。劇的に見え、
This is what we see often in fantasy and fashion illustration and of course, superhero comic books.
これがファンタジーやファッションのイラスト、
Please note these two examples of two people from "How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way" illustrated by John Buscema.
ジョン・ビュセマの著書「How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way」の2人の人物を見てください。
The figure below is a "superhero" but his physical build is supposed to be that of an "average man". However note how "heroic" he looks. He is designed 8 and 3/4 heads high. This was done for the effect of drama.
下の人物は「スーパーヒーロー」ですが、彼は「平均的な男性」
The above character's spouse is also supposed to be an "average woman" but she is also 8 and 3/4 heads tall, despite she is written as a kind of "superhero's housewife". These proportions make her more impressive and appealing to the viewer. John Buscema made a statement in her design but without departing too far from the feeling of realism.
上のキャラクターの妻も「平均的な女性」だという想定です。
Now let's talk about breaking some rules!
次はルールを破ることについてです！
This superhero is only 6 heads high! But he doesn't look weak does he? So what is happening here? Making him six heads high helps make the character more broad in design...implying strength and power.
このスーパーヒーローは、たった6頭身しかありません！ しかし、彼は弱く見えませんか？ 何が起きているのでしょうか？ 彼を6頭身にすると、デザインの幅が広がり、
This gangster named "The Kingpin" (also from Marvel Comics) is supposed to stand about 2 meters in height but he is only 5 heads tall! So imagine how massive he would be standing next to you.
「ザ・キングピン」という名前のギャング（
Essentially where we are going is into the realm of caricature. But not in the interest of being funny.
私はつまり、カリカチュアの領域に入ろうというのです。しかし、
Artist Bill Sienkiewicz took his design of The Kingpin even further to the point of abstraction.
アーティストのビル・シェンキェヴィチは、
Despite being absurd and surreal it's quite effective in making a visual statement The Kingpin's overwhelming presence. So effective that his designs inspired his animated film depiction.
滑稽で非現実的ではありますが、
Speaking of animation let's take a look at some proportions from some well known animated characters.
アニメーションの話になったところで、
Here is a size chart from Walt Disney's Peter Pan. Note the actual size of the children's heads are smaller than the adult's heads. Both the younger and older female measure about 5 and 1/2 heads tall.
これは、
Another note about average proportions: Generally the length people's hands and feet are about the same size as their heads. Note the sizes of the hands and feet of all the characters vary. Note how small the father's (John Darling) feet are in contrast to his head, making him look quite large. Note how small Wendy and Mary Darling's hands are in contrast to their heads. making them seem even more feminine and gentle.
平均的なプロポーションについて、もう1つ：一般に、
Mickey Mouse is famous for measuring 2 and 1/2 or 3 heads high. Basically these are the proportions of a child. That might be the reason why he is so instantly appealing to audiences. Note Donald Duck also measures about 3 heads high but his head is smaller making him actually shorter than Mickey.
ミッキーマウスのプロポーションは、2と1/
This proportion design was used over and over again at Disney as we can see with its earlier films like Pinocchio, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and others.
ピノキオ、白雪姫と七人のこびとなど、
Most Disney Princess type characters stand about 5 and 1/2 heads tall. This forces the design to make the body slender but the head a little larger, drawing more attraction to the face and eyes.
ディズニープリンセスタイプのキャラクターはほとんどが、
Here is size comparison chart from Disney's Aladdin. Note the proportions of the characters in contrast to the other characters. What do you think it says about them? Do you feel a sense of character or story about them based on their size and shape?
こちらはディズニーのアラジンのサイズ比較表です。
In closing I would like to say that how we design our figures greatly comes from how we see them. When I say "see", I am referring to our personal point of view.
最後に、私たちがキャラクターをどうデザインするかは、
What we see in American illustration, comics, art or animation greatly is influenced by what Americans see or want to see. The same goes for Japanese illustration, comics and animation as well.
アメリカのイラスト、コミック、アート、
Below are some other examples of proportion and how some exaggerations were made for design's sake.
プロポーションと、
プロポーションと、
Andrew Loomis
アンドリュー・ルーミス
Robert McGuiness
ロバート・マッギニス
Pete Hawley
ピート・ホーリー
Jeff Scott Campbell
ジェフ・スコット・キャンベル
Walt Disney Animation Studios
ウォルト・ディズニー・アニメーション・スタジオ
Alex Ross
アレックス・ロス
Bill Sienkiewicz
ビル・シェンキェヴィチ
