 Length of the nose is
estimated by multiples of the nose bone in the top portion of the nose structure.
However, the nose can vary in length and shape. I have found in my portrait endeavors that
there is a proportional relationship to all faces, that between people, does not vary
greatly. All the faces that I have drawn show me that where things do get
disproportionate, it would have to be because of a health reason. Aging does effect
proportions but this is throughout the whole person and helps to determine age. It is my
belief that skin also grows in proportion and will help determine the size and shape of
facial features. With the nose cavity you can observe the size and shape of the opening to
help project the mass and some shapes of the nose. But the nose remains a variable object
in skull reconstruction and I choose to give different variations rather than possibly
skipping over the right shape. In the drawing on the right I have shown the
perimeter of an average nose size. Taking into account the flat bone directly under the
nostril cavity and over the upper front incisors, I have determined the nostrils to show
their openings, especially given the slightly elevated frontal view. Dividing the
width of the nasal cavity by 3 and adding a 1/3 to each side of the opening gives the nose
a wide flair example. A common proportion
of the Negro race. The nose could also be flatter and more pointed, and from a profile
view, could have a slight downward curve on the bridge. example |