initial sketch; need help with anatomy

[Yesterday-Fairy]

i am 14 old girl and i am starting a portrait of a creepy ghost drawing (maybe if my english is not so good, i am from taiwan) i would like help on three things;

1) she is supposed to be very skinny, but i am finding it very hard to express that on paper from her waist up (she will not show her legs) i tried many times but i was wondering if anyone can help me make her seem skinny; like in shoulders and chest.

2) she is sitting down and i need help on how short the torso is/ how her chest would look sitting down.

3) and her arms will be resting on side of chair, please help me with that too, i made them much to short and apart.

i hope i am not asking too much! i just want to make a great drawing!


(yes it is tilted, i did not have time to fix that)

[Jason Rainville]

Hi

1) she is supposed to be very skinny, but i am finding it very hard to express that on paper from her waist up (she will not show her legs) i tried many times but i was wondering if anyone can help me make her seem skinny; like in shoulders and chest.

Well it's hard to see what you're doing wrong without actually seeing it. I guess my only advice would be to.... just make her have small breasts and a skinny torso.

2) she is sitting down and i need help on how short the torso is/ how her chest would look sitting down.

Generally the torso is about 3.5 head heights from the top of the head to the hips for adults. For this girl it might be less. remember too that when held at the sides, the elbows fall to the waist on a person.

3) and her arms will be resting on side of chair, please help me with that too, i made them much to short and apart.

Well again it's easier to help you if we can see what you've tried. I don't think people are going to draw her for you

I think a lot of what you're having trouble with can be helped by studying anatomy: just draw people from life or reference when you can. You're just starting out and eventually with enough practice, things like this will be easy

Good luck