Adjusting hair
A standing figure with one arm raised to the hair, elbow out and the head tilted into the gesture.
One arm lifts to the head and the elbow swings out, which opens the ribcage on that side and raises the shoulder slightly. The head tends to tilt into the hand to shorten the distance, so the neck curves and the gaze moves off camera. The other arm stays low, giving the figure two different side profiles.
This is a natural grooming gesture, and its value in illustration is that it reads as unposed while directing attention upward, toward the face and hair. It is a favourite for beauty, portrait and character work, and it makes a good gesture study because the raised arm brings the deltoid, scapula and clavicle into a visible relationship.
Artist trouble usually starts at the shoulder. When the arm lifts, the clavicle rises and the shoulder blade rotates, so the raised arm should not appear to slide upward along a fixed torso edge. Draw the elbow well out to the side, not tucked near the ear, and check the hand: the fingers touch the hair near the temple or the crown, and the wrist bends naturally. Also watch the head tilt, which should be modest enough to keep the neck readable.
Drawing notes
- Swing the raised elbow out so the ribcage opens on that side.
- Raise the clavicle and rotate the shoulder blade with the arm.
- Touch the hair near the temple or crown with a natural wrist break.
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 hand adjusting her hair, full body.
Working notes
- A standing figure with one arm raised to the hair, elbow out and the head tilted into the gesture.
- Keep the raised elbow out; tucked elbows make it read as a shrug.
Put this pose on your own reference
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