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135 degrees rear three-quarter head reference

Heavy jaw at 135 degrees. Compare the line drawing with the tonal study.

Head rotation reference, Heavy jaw, 135 degrees rear three-quarter, line drawing
Line drawing
Head rotation reference, Heavy jaw, 135 degrees rear three-quarter, tonal drawing
Tonal drawing

Drawing this angle

At 135 degrees, the back and side of the skull carry most of the pose. Begin with the largest rounded mass, then locate the near ear on its side. Check how much cheek or jaw remains beyond the ear before adding it. The face is largely hidden, and a large invented nose or eye will pull the drawing toward a profile view.

Compare the distance from the ear to the rear contour with the distance down to the jaw. Watch how the neck enters beneath the skull: the two sides usually meet the head at different visible places in this turned view. Use the line drawing to follow the outer shape without interruption. In the tonal drawing, separate a surface turn from a cast shadow before making either one a hard edge. For practice, place the ear and neck on an otherwise blank head mass, then check the angle against the neighboring 112.5 and 157.5 degree views.

See the full turn

Compare all four heads

Keep drawing

Try the free tonal sampler, or see the line and tonal studies in Head rotation volume 1.