The Normal Face

This chapter establishes a “canon of proportions”, which divides the face into halves and thirds to demonstrate artistic balance. A normal or average face requires that each feature be of proper size and positioned properly in relation to other features. The reader is presented with an illustrated face that suits these requirements, showing the mathematically correct proportions, followed by an explanation of “The Canon of 1:1, 1/2:1/2, 1/3:1/3”.  Each of these proportions describes how the distances between one set of features should correspond to others. For example: In the case of the 1:1 proportion, the distance between the medial brows = the width of the nasal base; for 1/2:1/2, the base of the nose = the bottom of the lips to the chin.