Folded arms
A squared-up front-facing figure with folded arms and an even stance, dead center to the camera.
Unlike the relaxed variation, here the feet are square and the body faces the camera directly, with both legs straight and the folded arms held roughly level. The pose is frontal and columnar, and the horizontal band of the forearms cuts the torso at the waist, which emphasizes the width of the shoulders above it.
It is a formal, self-possessed stance, and that makes it a good base for tailored clothing: a jacket shoulders and a straight hem both read clearly when the body is not twisted. It also shows how much a horizontal can organize an otherwise plain vertical figure, useful for poster design and centered compositions.
Check the fold from below. The upper hand wraps the opposite arm around the bicep, and the lower arm crosses in front of the ribs at a slight upward angle. Artists often make the band perfectly horizontal and symmetrical, which reads as a mannequin rather than a person. Also avoid a vertical neck; a small forward head with the chin slightly lowered gives the pose its guarded quality. Both feet should keep the same angle, since even a small splay breaks the square front.
Drawing notes
- Angle the crossed forearms slightly upward instead of a dead horizontal.
- Push the head a little forward with the chin lowered for the guarded read.
- Keep both feet at the same angle to preserve the square front.
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 arms folded, full body, front view.
Working notes
- A squared-up front-facing figure with folded arms and an even stance, dead center to the camera.
- A front square like this suits tailoring and centered poster layouts.
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.
