Arm raised
A standing pose with one arm lifted overhead, opening the ribcage and lengthening one side of the torso.
The lifted arm pulls the ribcage up on that side, which lengthens the waist and shortens the neck on the raised side. Because the other arm stays low, the figure has two different side shapes, and the eye follows the long line from the raised hand down through the opposite hip to the supporting foot.
Weight is shifted off the raised shoulder, so the pelvis tips the other way and one hip juts. This keeps the pose from looking like a straight vertical bar with a flag on it. The whole silhouette reads as a leaning rectangle with one corner extended, which is why it works for long coats, tunics and anything cut to fall in an unbroken line.
When you draw it, plot the raised arm as two segments that do not align perfectly: the upper arm swings out a little, the forearm continues upward with a slight bend. The most common error is a perfectly straight arm glued to the head, which removes the shoulder joint entirely. Check too that the armpit has a deep fold and the opposite side of the torso is stretched smooth; those two cues sell the lift.
Drawing notes
- Draw the lifted arm with a soft bend at the elbow instead of a rigid line against the head.
- Mark the armpit fold on the raised side; the opposite flank stays stretched.
- Tilt the pelvis away from the raised shoulder so the figure keeps its counterweight.
Pose prompt
The description used to generate this study. Copy it into your own workflow, or hand it to the studio with your photo.
Adult woman standing with one arm raised and weight shifted, full body.
Working notes
- A standing pose with one arm lifted overhead, opening the ribcage and lengthening one side of the torso.
- Ask for the lifted elbow to stay clear of the head if the arm keeps merging with the hairline.
Put this pose on your own reference
Take this study to the studio and generate a new image in the same pose, or browse the rest of the fashion studies first.
