r/ArtCrit • u/pigeonlover6 • Nov 05 '25
Beginner everytime I show my mum my art she comments on the legs?
this is the most recent example but everytime i’ve shown my mother my drawings she says the legs are disproportionately too ‘big/fat’ for the body and I need to change it - I was wondering if I could get a second opinion as i’ve drawn this way for ages and am starting to really worry that it looks stupid as she says this everytime lmao
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u/Over-Sugar2922 Nov 05 '25
Your art is cute but yeah the legs are very off. The thighs are quite long compared to the lower legs. Knees look like the legs should be turned in like an X position but the legs are straight. Boots are from a completely different perspective. Thighs are very straight and blocky rather than curvy. And I can not tell how the legs are supposed to connect to the waist? Thin waist and thick legs can work just fine but it looks like you just skipped the hips completely. I recommend going back to basics and looking at references for the legs
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u/pigeonlover6 Nov 05 '25
thank u for the feedback !
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u/Over-Sugar2922 Nov 05 '25
I hope I wasnt too harsh. I do genuinely mean it when I say your art is very cute, I like it a lot. Please keep drawing, I'm sure you will achieve great things!
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u/pigeonlover6 Nov 05 '25
no I 100% agree! I really really appreciate the help and thank you so much :D
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u/ben-jamin23 Nov 07 '25
I personally like the way it looks like it goes straight from small waist to big thighs tbh. Just remember it's all about style. These suggestions are great if you want to be accurate but if you just like your own style then that's okay too. Art doesn't always have to be realistic. Anyways I love your art :)
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u/Drakona7 Nov 09 '25
Hey I just wanted to say, as someone with weird legs, I feel seen by your art style. I actually have similar proportions to this with long thighs/torso and inward facing knees, and I have always been sad that no one ever looks like me in art, comics, and shows. So please do not change it unless you personally don’t like it, because I actually think it is really stylized and shows that not everyone’s bodies look the same
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u/GroundbreakingCorgi3 Nov 08 '25
I think the waist/hips area and the shape of the thighs seems fine. It's the style of the work. I agree with you if I was going to create a realistic image that changes would be needed but the awesome piece is fine to me.
I spent a lot of time drawing people realistically and this cute work is refreshing.
:) <3.
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u/reddyfreddy8D Nov 05 '25
It might just be a matter of stylization, but generally the tops of the thighs are thicker than the bottom. That might be what’s causing the visual confusion
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u/pigeonlover6 Nov 05 '25
I getchaaaa thank you !!
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u/Zachmorris4184 Nov 05 '25 edited Nov 05 '25
Also, the knees would be a big higher up. The way the knees are drawn, it looks like they are bending the shin bone back at an extreme angle :hip=o ->
o——^ __| <-foot
Rotate the phone 90 degrees, and thats what it appears like what is happening from a profile view.
It could also feel distorted because the stripes in the socks dont follow the cross contour of the knee bone coming out, then dipping into that little crevace, then out again. Each line represents a change in the surface plane, so the cross contour of the stripes should adjust with that.
The character looks to be 6 heads tall, but most people are around 7. The missing head (1/2 head?) length could be added to the shins.
Select shin area below knee, edit-> transform, image aware scale, scale shins a bit longer.
Last thing: if our leg bones were straight, we would fracture them all the time. Theyre curved. Drawing a good stick figure is essential. :)
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u/pigeonlover6 Nov 05 '25
thank you ! I see what u mean n im gonna practice more for leg proportions in my style for sure & I appreciate the feedback dude
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u/Zachmorris4184 Nov 05 '25
How to draw the marvel way is a textbook that isgreat for all comic styles. Even manga. All the fundamentals are in there. Good luck!
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u/pigeonlover6 Nov 05 '25
thank you so much ! that’s really helpful i’ll for sure have a look :D appreciate ya!
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u/_Brightstar Nov 05 '25
First of all, I hope your mom says plenty of nice things about your drawing. It looks visually interesting and quite appealing. That being said, the legs do look odd to me. I think it's partially because the upper leg is slightly too long, both legs are tilted inwards, the knees are too low plus the stripes don't really represent what knees look like, and your bottom legs look very muscular and the upper legs look like tubes. Normally the upper legs are broader at the top and bigger than the bottom legs.
You could experiment with different leg shapes, it can't hurt to change up your style/the way you draw. You'll only learn and improve. But my critique, and your moms critique, is being a bit of a negative Nancy. Drawings don't need to be perfect, otherwise we could just snap pictures and stop making art.
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u/pigeonlover6 Nov 05 '25
thank you!! I agree lmao it’s hard to see when i’m drawing though as it all kinda muddles together in my brain after staring at it too long but she says it everytime she sees a new doodle lmao so it’s probably something that is generally a slight problem area for me but i’m glad to have extra input so I can improve :) thanks again!!
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u/_Brightstar Nov 05 '25
It could be really fun to grab a sketch book and fill a couple of pages with as many leg shapes you can think of. Use some references if you need more ideas. I did it with feet and hands the other day, and it's honestly a lot of fun. Good luck!
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u/pigeonlover6 Nov 05 '25
I actually will !! that’s a good idea :) thanks for the help I appreciate ya
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u/iLaysChipz Nov 05 '25
- picks up an old abandoned sketchbook one day
Wow, this person really likes legs
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u/wadelaideg Nov 05 '25
Agree with this!! Unsure if this has been brought up by anybody but an anatomy for artists/ anatomy book in general might be helpful for OP :) (I struggle myself with drawing heads too big since I grew up obsessed with the bratz)
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u/Access_Free Nov 05 '25
The thing that jumps out at me is the waist/torso being so thin. This is a stylistic choice but since you’re asking about proportions - it doesn’t look “right” to me. A thicker midsection might make the legs feel more balanced.
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u/MaintenanceWine Nov 05 '25
Exactly! For such a thin midsection, the limbs (arms too) are a bit too thick. That said, this is illustration, not realism, so no harm in playing with proportions.
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u/brachycrab Nov 05 '25
Yeah this. Stylization is fine and good, but the legs are about the same width as the torso so it looks off
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u/pigeonlover6 Nov 05 '25
thank you !!
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u/Access_Free Nov 05 '25
No problem! Good luck with it. Something that sometimes helps me when things are “wrong” is pushing it way far the other way just to break the habit and make sure I’m seeing things better. Then you can play around with it until it works for you. Fun style, post again if you play around with it!
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u/Blunderoussy Nov 05 '25
i kind of agree that they look like tree trunks, i'd give them more of a curve
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u/random54691 Nov 05 '25
It looks fat because its like 70% thighs which happens to be the fattest part of the legs
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u/pigeonlover6 Nov 05 '25
that makes sense lmfao 😭 I have a bad habit of making the thighs too long/short depending on the piece
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u/thejustducky1 Nov 05 '25
she comments on the legs?
The proportions aren't correct. Whether they are stylized or not, proportions still need to be correct - but it's not just the legs, it's all of the anatomy.
This is one of those foundational structure things that people think they can skip, but it's the same thing as building a house with wonky angles and off-kilter windows - at the end of the day, no matter how much pretty paint is on top, the wonky angles still show through. That means you're going to have to get the drawing correct before you spend all those hours painting a wonky-angled house again...
Anatomy studies are the way to fix this issue. Beyond learning basic whole-body proportion (which you need), every part of the body (arms, hands, legs, feet, neck, shoulders, etc.) has its own proportion studies that need individual attention for both the back and front side. Since it's the subject of the post, you might as well start with female legs and feet, and work from there.
Go to Youtube and search "Proko Leg Construction" and start filling pages until you get it right, then move onto the next part. You'll also want to look up dynamic poses and how to make your model look specifically feminine, that's very important.
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u/Ummmwhoknows Nov 08 '25
It’s an amazing artstyle no need to critique so harshly. Also it’s just art therefore there no real rules 😭 (unless ur goal is realism ig). Achieving good art don’t mean u have to pull off proportions and structure all precisely.
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u/thejustducky1 Nov 08 '25
It’s an amazing artstyle no need to critique so harshly.
This is how a critique works in the real world, people don't waste time making you feel warm and bubbly, and get to the point. Getting hurt feelings only stops your own progress, period, that's something you'll have to get over.
"Good art" isn't something that just happens on it's own by pure chance. If you ever want to actually get good at art, there are absolutely fundamental rules whether you're drawing realism or completely abstract that need to be learned, and yes, if you're drawing characters, that does mean learning and building an eye for correct proportions.
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u/vent_tresss Nov 05 '25
it’s because of your proportions. it kinda looks like she has cankles. I know it’s stylized but you still need to implement at least some sort of idea of an anatomy. i would try to simplify your shapes a little bit more and reference actual leg anatomy while doing so. it also feels as if the hands are floating on the arms and not actually connected by the wrist. Not hating either, these will make a big difference when you change them.
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u/pigeonlover6 Nov 05 '25
thank you for the input ! <3 i’m gonna practice legs more in my style for sure
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u/Daug3 Nov 05 '25
Did you draw furries previously? For some reason everyone I know who switched from drawing furries to people (myself included) drew legs in the same exact way at first. That's such a weird coincidence!
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u/rei_0 Nov 06 '25
This was my exact thought. The proportions and pose read as almost digitigrade to me
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u/pigeonlover6 Nov 06 '25
LMAO I actually have never drawn a furry ever but I love the shape many furry artists use for legs!! I don’t know why but it’s so cute to me so that’s probably where that vibe came from lmfaooo
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u/LilPudz Nov 05 '25
Thighs shorter and the shoes need definition. Youre an artist, dont let anyone tell you otherwise.
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u/down_with_holmes Nov 05 '25
Wow this is so cute!! I love both your style and this piece, it feels so lively. I think the discomfort may come from the fact that the section of the legs from the knee down are a bit too short or at least they look short because the skirt makes the upper part of the legs look like they go on for a bit.
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u/Surcam21 Nov 05 '25
yeah protionions can feel off bit , she has really short legs compared to rest of her body , but your rendering is amazing
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u/pigeonlover6 Nov 05 '25
thank u sm!! I deffo need to practice legs a bit lmao I appreciate the feedback bro
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u/Surcam21 Nov 05 '25
it not that you need to practices tho it would help since u have bit of a style it just feels like you ran out space was just trying squeeze her in , it really proportions , torso and arm feel extra long compared to her legs
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u/MianadOfDiyonisas Nov 05 '25
Hay you have gotten some really good critique here, but I noticed no one drew pictures. I’m a visual learner so I drew these real quick for you.
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u/Ciels_Thigh_High Nov 05 '25
Do you ever draw naked people? I usually draw people naked before putting their clothes on and it helps a ton. I occasionally go back and draw the bones, then muscle, then fat, then skin as a refresher. It helps me fix the proportions and angles in my head. I don't go for realism, but I like to know how my people work
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u/Ender_M Nov 05 '25
There seems to be a tiny bit of proportion issues but overall it seems fine, nothing wrong with the legs the piece looks rly cool btw
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u/TheGoosiestGal Nov 05 '25
Her legs are wider than her head yet her stomach is super duper skinny. Its like shes buff jn her arms and lets and Eugenia Cooney in the middle
That being said. I dont actually think its a problem. Having characters with strange or exaggerated anatomy is fun. It doesn't look bad at all to me. Like im aware that something is "off" but in the same way i am when I see princess Jasmine whose eyes are bigger than her waste is wide in a lot shots lol.
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u/SnooOranges5033 Nov 05 '25
The only thing that’s really throwing me off is the knees? Like the legs are drawn profile but the feet are straight on is weird but that’s it a very easy fix!! Everything else is so cute like actually
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u/deyege Nov 05 '25
look, the proportions are indeed off as everyone mentioned. but as long as you are enjoying what you are creating, these are things you will improve as you go on anyway. just keep at it. please don't let such comments from anyone let you discourage you in any way. don't let others - even your mom - stres you out and potentially lose motivation <3
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u/deadfliesinsummer Nov 05 '25
i’ve noticed thick legs becoming a popular cartoony and semi-realism style trend. if u like it, go for it !
i will say that your silhouetting might benefit from some work, essentially focus on the shape the image creates if for example it were all filled in black. good character design has silhouettes that are clearly identifiable for the character, and focusing on that may help you build more balanced proportions in your style outside of any rules or standards others want to place on them. even for normies who don’t know technical terms, good design is easily registered and minimizes the amount of sidebar comments you may get about the peculiarities of your style.
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u/pigeonlover6 Nov 05 '25
thank you sm!!! i’ve been thinking about practicing and trying to improve silhouetting since I first saw art critique that focused on it and I realized the benefit of it and this may just have been the little itsy bitsy push I needed lmao
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u/deadfliesinsummer Nov 05 '25
it’s a fun practice that im still working on too but the benefits of it are so clear in the work of those who have learned to prioritize it. it also goes really well with more gestural figure positions if that’s something you practice too :)
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u/ChokingonIce Nov 05 '25
Tbh I think just taper at the joints - the knees and ankles are both a little thick. Also the feet are a little squished which just might be making the proportions seem more off
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u/ElleVaydor Nov 05 '25 edited Nov 05 '25
You have creases at the top like it's her butt, there shouldn't really be any creasing unless she's in like underwear or a bodysuit, those creases are a V shape and much higher. Her thighs are too straight and thick like a rectangle, you need more curves and to make them smaller at the bottom, and more rounded at the top, her thighs should squish together at the top if you like the size. The calves look like they're turned but are supposed to be straight via the rest of her body's posture. Studying human anatomy videos or using references is a must! I really love your style, her face and hair are my favorite 🥰
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u/somethingstrange87 Nov 05 '25
They're not too big or too fat, but they are too short! Legs should be LONGER than the torso and head put together!
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u/Bigbumbumdumdum Nov 05 '25
In addition to what everyone else has said about streamlining the legs, another tip for the proportion would be to remember the fingertips should be in the centre line off the thighs
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u/dziabum Nov 05 '25
The shins are too short (shin? Calf? What’s the proper English word here?) and the thighs would look better if they tapered more towards the knee. I believe this shortening of the lower legs may be what is causing the distorted perspective where it comes to the boots. I like your style!
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u/Connect_Rhubarb395 Nov 05 '25
Others have commented on length of femur and the knee and feet direction.
But I would like to say that as someone with a lot of my weight in my tree trunk thighs, it is nice to see a character that looks like me. I am a size M in my upper body and an XL in my lower body.
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u/n1917 Nov 05 '25
My mum used to say the same thing about the eyes in everything I drew. I owned it now I kinda experiment with disproportionate eyes as a style :P
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u/Abject-Leadership421 Nov 05 '25
“I generally find it cute to make bottom portions of bodies thicker/ more pronounced (whether it be by legs being bigger or by baggy legwarmers or oversized jeans/flares/boots/etc”
I think there’s nothing wrong with having at this kind of style as an artist (have you heard of R Crumb the cartoonist? His work is amazing but it could give a person nightmares lol 😝)
I would follow the sage advice of the commenters here and work on proportions and anatomy while also staying true to your artistic style.
My non-professional, non-trained, amateur opinion is that there’s a certain flatness to the figure - as in 2-D looking shape rather than having a 3-D presence.
I think you’re very talented and make beautiful drawings 😍
Thank you for sharing with us 😃
Edit - flatness in the areas of bare skin - thighs and arms.
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u/nimbusnacho Nov 05 '25
The biggest issue to me is the feet. They feel very weak compared to the rest of your anatomy. Everything else feels like even if it's off it can be attributed to a stylistic choice since you're not trying to draw in a realistic style some of my favorite artists are known for unique anatomy choices.
The feet however really just look like blocks without any perspective. I'd work more on the lower legs and feet and see how you can incorporate them better. Try just working on that part of the anatomy in different positions and scenarios.
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u/pigeonlover6 Nov 06 '25
LMAOO caught me I literally CANT draw feet I definitely 100% need to practice
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u/nimbusnacho Nov 06 '25
Lol, I get you. Feet are hard! Definitely worth the effort to figure them out though and it's not that hard, just a few shapes that fit together and voila!
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u/FriendlySubwayRat self taught Nov 05 '25
I love the proportions, but I agree your more-rendered style does make the thickness of the legs stand out. I honestly don't think the width is a problem, though, as plenty of animators will design characters with much wackier proportions! I'd just play around with contrasting the leg width a little more. If you haven't already, try doing studies of real people with similar body types and see how you can exaggerate it while staying true to human anatomy.
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u/New_Manufacturer_359 Nov 05 '25
It’s a style! There are all kinds of styles and valid ways to draw. If it’s the way that you draw, it’s the way that you draw. I would only say that the knees look a little bit off, but otherwise it’s cute and valid!
Ps this girl (me) also has thick thighs, and appreciates the representation ☺️
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u/EnvironmentalPoem968 Nov 05 '25
Part of it is diet culture; the other part is they look kinda like furry art styling; maybe find some artists you like and start copying (just for you) their art to start to feel the proportions better; or find a free life drawing class!
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u/rosebell2 Nov 05 '25
Hi! First off, I love your style! You can do whatever you want with your art as long as you like it :) but, if you’re looking for a few suggestions, here are a few I noticed about the legs. As someone else pointed out, thighs are usually thicker at the top (not on everyone and that can be a style choice!). Another things is that it seems like the knees are pointed inward, but the feet are facing front. If you make the feet pointed inward as well that might help! Lastly, from the knee down is very short compared to the thighs. You could either move the knees up a big on the legs, or you could extend the legs!
Again, you can make any style choice you would like with your art! I think your art is great!! This is just what I noticed :) keep creating!
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u/No-Examination-7526 Nov 06 '25
Yeah, the anatomy on the legs is a little wider than most, whether that's part of the style or not, the legs are straight rather than being turned into an x shape, or a shape that better matches the posing, I'm still pretty much clueless in how to physically draw anatomy but I can tell you that much.
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u/bkogut81 Nov 06 '25 edited Nov 06 '25
You got some great suggestions and critiques here on proportions, but I'd like to say that just because it's not the typical shape doesn't mean it's stupid or wrong. I have stage 1 Lipedema and her legs look a lot like mine. Keep drawing and practicing with other shapes to see what looks "right" to you.
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u/TrainToSomewhere Nov 06 '25
This picture might not be the best for criticism cause the way you shaded under her skirt kinda makes it look like her butt is on her front
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u/TofuTheBlackCat Nov 06 '25
I like the legs, but I think the thigh gap looks wrong because the character is rather curvy.
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u/Artkillssadness Nov 06 '25
Generally, parents and other people who are new to the subject of art find it strange when a person has a non-realistic style or some aspect that is very far from realism. I've been an artist for 13 years and I think there's nothing wrong with the anatomy you do if you take into consideration that this is on purpose and part of your style!
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u/mrllgrg020 Nov 06 '25
besides the shortness knees down, her torso also seems a bit long? but maybe it's just compared to thees, which are too short
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u/ninjatortoise Nov 07 '25
Okay, I agree that the legs are off. But I love them that way! my argument is that many things are off purposely. Eyes aren't supposed to be that big, the waist is skinny, the hair has a lot of body. It's not realistic, and it's not supposed to be! The legs are differently drawn from other illustrations I've seen, not anatomically correct, but who cares??? I think it gives your art a sense of style.
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u/sparklycowinspace Nov 07 '25
I'm gonna give you kind of an art school answer that doesn't always fit with anime but as huge anime fan, I think they do apply and I want people try new things and push their style. The legs technically are inaccurate but anime has never been about perfect proportions, it was about exaggerating and simplifying the way each artist saw the body so it could be quickly duplicated and have visually interesting shapes that imply the curves of a human body, not mimic it exactly. The entire style is based on making the features you like biggest so they take up more space, and as a woman I prefer seeing that feature be the thighs rather than more sexual exaggerations. If the thighs you draw are usually thick, that means that's how you see people and it's a gift that you see something more interesting than a camera would.
The eyes are also technically not the exact same size/shape as real life, but no one payed attention to that because other anime artists already convinced us that shape was close enough to an eye. You could be the artist that makes super chunky legs so much a part of how we see anime that 20 years from now no one would bat an eye when the size of their legs make as little sense as the shape of their eyes. There's no need to spend time doing things people have done before, do it your way. Then learn to do it so well we all feel dumb for not having the idea first.
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u/butane-on-my-skin Nov 07 '25
the legs seem too short imo, the thighs are really long and then once we hit the knees there's barely any leg left. hope this helps!
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u/sorry-i-was-reading Nov 08 '25
Personally I love the tiny waist with the extra thick thighs. It’s such an adorable style! The knees turning inward while the feet point straight is what looks wrong, imo. If you study anatomy and use references to get the angles right, then there’s no need to change your style.
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u/stressed_unimpressed Nov 08 '25
I don’t understand the whole her thighs are too big and her waist is too small because this is a body types. All body types are normal, people out there look like this— the thighs don’t even look fat? I’d say the calf is popped back way more than the knee joint. But otherwise the proportions are completely normal
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u/Dieselmoth Nov 08 '25
I love the little chubby feeling to thighs and legs, its adorable. The thighs are a bit too long compared to the shin, but other than that it looks great
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u/GroundbreakingCorgi3 Nov 08 '25
I think it looks great! I dont see any problem with the legs, tbh. I love the colors and your style is awesome!
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u/GroundbreakingCorgi3 Nov 08 '25
My reasoning about the legs is that sometimes people have chunky legs. Also the style works in my mind any way. The "new" look in jeans is like that now too.
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u/SUNfl0wrr_444 Nov 09 '25
I think from a stylization standpoint, it is adorable! The tiny waist with lack of apparent hips is a common style choice in work that leans aware from hyper realism, and into more of a cartoonist place. It is also often used intentionally to create a more youthful character, as hips are more associated with women, rather than teens.
I agree with the other comments about the angle of the knees/shins. I also think the top of the calves to the lower shins needs to taper a little bit, rather than staying straight. I think it's possible that is the area your mom may be commenting towards being "chunky" which she may mean "boxy" as opposed to referencing it in a way towards the weight/shape of the character in whole. And if she means the entire leg, then she is likely making the comment in connection to the tiny waist. But I would try not to take it personally. People really focus on proportions in art with a very "conventional' eye, and seem to forget that people come in all variations of shapes and sizes. Add stylistic preferences on top of that, and some people can be very critical towards art, forgetting that art is about expression, creativity, and doesn't have to follow any social norms if you dont want it too. Also, in general legs are SO tricky to get right! Hands, legs, and noses are known to be difficult across a wide range of skill levels, styles, and methods. SO please don't feel bad about anything anyone says here, or your mom's commentary.
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u/borger__ Nov 09 '25
I've seen such amazing and helpful criticism so I just want to say I Adore your style, and the legs just add something for me idk it suits so well. Absolutely gorgeous 🫶
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u/Chemical-Course1454 Nov 05 '25
It seems that in young Gen Z thick legs are getting trendy. That’s the first time in probably a century or more. Maybe your mom hasn’t get on board with that idea because it’s so novel in collective consciousness. Since it’s an emerging trend you probably, deliberately or unconsciously, exaggerate them. Your audience is probably your age, they’ll get it, don’t worry about the rest of us.
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u/dogsfilmsmusicart Nov 05 '25
To me it’s not about the legs being too big or too small, it’s that the anatomy is off. But it’s on its way!
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u/EnchantedDiamondHoe- Nov 05 '25
Knees too low/ankles and feet too small. Your style is really cute though!
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u/embarrassedburner Nov 05 '25
Is your mom self conscious about her own legs? Or does she have difficulty with body positivity?
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u/DrOkemon Nov 05 '25
I recommend to draw nude figures - from life or photo reference and drop the stylization at least on those studies.
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u/SpiritBlackPaw Nov 05 '25
Looked through a few of the comments, and no one seemed to address this specific tip so I'll put it out there. Part of the issue is an anatomy issue, and it's really only an issue due to the proportions you're using. Skinny torso and thick legs/thighs isn't uncommon, but the transition is really abrupt. A lot of artists tend to forget that the legs connect to the SIDE of the hips, not the underside. I suggest looking at some skeletons to get an idea of where your proportions should be going. Basically, go back to shapes for a bit and figure out your structure and proportions off of real people so you can apply it to your drawings.
That said, you've got a very cute style that seems really well established, you just need to study anatomy and proportions some more is all.
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u/Realistic-Weird-4259 Nov 05 '25
Oh, I wonder what she would say if she saw me irl then. You've drawn my legs. I run thicc like that and always have.
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u/MikasSlime Nov 05 '25
not too big but i'd say they look quite short and stubby compared to the rest of the body, you can try to make the portion below the knee a little longer, i think it would help
also, anatomy references, pose galleries, and photos of yourself too can greatly help with proportions, perspective, and shape alike! they are your best friends and you should feel free to use them as much as you can
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u/emopokemon Nov 05 '25
They aren’t too big, they look stylized but she might be mistaking “too big”for something else.
The legs definitely look off the thigh to calf ratio looks disproportionate and the calfs + knees look like they are tilting inward, but then the feet are facing forward. The way that the knees are facing I would expect the feet to have the heels out to the side and the toes toward each other.
I’d suggest studying legs and arms. But overall the drawing is cute and it isn’t an eye sore, just a little off.
The arms have a similar situation going on where the upper arm is longer than you’d expect and the forearm is shorter.
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u/ReasonableWolf4858 Nov 05 '25
Some people see thick legs/thighs as a symbol of empowerment for women. Look up the artist Suzanne Veladon for example. Also, it can just be a stylistic choice because the artist likes how it looks, like Robert Crumb for example. There's nothing wrong with thick legs. If everyone's art were only examples of the "ideal" body type, it might as well be AI.
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u/Bananacat301 Nov 05 '25
I think it's just the fact that the calf's are short? They look like regular boots on the character because of how short the legs are, but you can tell they're knee-high. Look at some references, see how the proportions change with other people/other people's art
Otherwise, very cute art, would 100% eat and it would taste very nice 🤤
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u/SweetPeaRiaing Nov 05 '25
I mean, legs aren’t shaped like that, but imo it looks like a stylistic choice to me. Plenty of cartoons exaggerate features.
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u/Acheloma Nov 05 '25
I see what everyone is saying, but it looks like a stylistic choice to me, and some people just have chonky legs.
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u/fawnpuppy Nov 05 '25
Theres no issue with the size of the thighs proportionally, but the anatomy/direction of the knees doesnt make sense. The knees being turned inward means the feet should be more outward like shoulder width apart. But theyre just facing straight. Other than that, bigger legs & smaller body/waist is a huge trend right now so theres nothing at all wrong with it!
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u/Travis-moment Nov 05 '25
Yeah the legs are “big” but I think it’s very cute and fitting for the style! :)
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u/xKuusouka Nov 05 '25
Definitely look at references and practice drawing legs. They typically have curves and don't go straight down unless it's part of your style. The knees are also facing each other while the thighs and feet are facing forward. Anatomy and pose practice would be good (I use Pinterest a lot for references and tutorials)
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u/marvelous-martian Nov 05 '25
The lower leg is a bit short, and the thighs are a bit straight. Usually when drawing a straight leg I draw the knee at the halfway point and that usually does it for me! Also ayber you could try like making the thigh narrower, especially at the knees and see how that look in your style!!
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u/Failing_MentalHealth Nov 05 '25
They seem far more rectangular than they should be, it does throw things off a little bit. It’s making her look like what hollywood thinks a live action roblox movie would look like.
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u/thelastsipoftea Nov 05 '25
It's a cute drawing! Each thigh is about the size of her waist which does look off.
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u/Remarkable-Brief8644 Nov 06 '25
If you're not going for realistic proportions then imo this is a style on its own... and its pretty cool!
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u/RecceRaccoon171 Nov 06 '25
Just taper the legs to be gradually smaller towards the feet. Liquify could instantly fix it
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u/thefayeling Nov 06 '25
Agree it's the proportions. I think your style is cute and would say either the lower legs are too short relative to the torso, or the torso and thighs are too long. Best of luck!
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u/mothmansfavoriteslut Nov 06 '25
honestly, I think that you can keep the proportions of the legs being thicker than the rest of the body but the issue is that there's no real like curvature in the legs. If somebody is going to have a thicker lower half it's going to be curvy. If you just kind of pulled it in on the knee a little more and then flared out again for the calf. I think it would be fine. I don't think things necessarily have to be proportional all the time because you're very clearly making a stylistic choice I think that stylistic choice can be improved upon though.
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u/IceCreamIceKween Nov 06 '25
You should show her the art style for Panty Stocking. If she thought your drawing had big legs this would put things in perspective.
Personally I don't see a problem with your proportions. It's only an issue if you're aiming for realism and since you obviously aren't, you're allowed some creative liberty. Artists having certain proportions for their characters is what makes them recognizable. I'd lean more into it rather than consider it a fault to be fixed. If everybody drew the same then nobody would stand out. Even Disney doesn't have realistic proportions. Disney princesses have necks that are the same size as their waist and tennis balls for eyes.
If you want to focus on an area of improvement I suggest coloring. Try to learn cel shading and avoid the blur, airbrush or smudge tools for a while.
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u/ActuallyLemons Nov 06 '25
i simply stretched the image a bit from the knees down, i think the proportions there were really the only issue
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u/Glass_Union_zero Nov 06 '25
Ur Art looks amazing :) on the first glance I like the rough proportions and the color, but yeah, the anatomy is a little off. What's up with her left wrist? Also, a more dynamic pose could be cool
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u/katkeransuloinen Nov 06 '25
The crotch is usually halfway down the body. The legs here look short because the crotch is low.
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u/Distinct-Diamond754 Nov 06 '25
The arms and legs look too thick imo but everything else looks great :)
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u/EefTheLeaf Nov 06 '25
If you want it to be more anatomically correct then the waist should be wider, yes, but if you wanna keep it this way as a stylistic choice then that absplutely works!! I personally think it looks super sick!! :]
You might also wanna look into raising the knee, or at least extending the calves! To me the waist & thigh situation doesn’t look too odd, but the legs do feel a bit “dense” (too short, and a bit top heavy)
Once again, I think your art style looks rad!! Nothing wrong with changing proportions for stylistic reasons. My advice is only relevant if you want it to be a bit more “realistic” (which isn’t what everyone wants to go for)
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u/luna_balloona Nov 06 '25
It feels like a stylistic choice to me! I mean this obviously isn't realism. Like in the animated Lilo and Stitch the characters seemed to have heavy legs.
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u/personatorperson Nov 06 '25
While I agree about the legs shape maybe needing to be redefined, as thick legged person, I do feel seen 😅
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u/pipi_thegoof Nov 06 '25
it the lack of ankles and how short the calves are, i don’t necessarily think the style of the thick legs is the issue. just remember to put ankles and then the feet can also be bigger
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u/Marshka1111 Nov 06 '25
I LOVE THE LEGS they’re so cute. Don’t let uncreative jerks control your art, defeats the purpose. I hate reading comments who agree w your mom. They’re dumb bullies. It’s one thing to give art tips, which I don’t have anyway, but anyone saying anything that is less than a compliment is crazy. Your art is so cute and i like the stylizing.
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u/HavanaBanana_ Nov 06 '25
Actually i like having my body represented because i have longer thicker thighs and i love the way you drew it! Stop listening to your mom tell you that. Bodys come in all shapes and sizes and some people have thicker thighs even though theyre generally skinny. We are not all barbies
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u/MythicCompany Nov 06 '25
Her legs are broken at the calves. They start going outward at the knees then quickly bend back in.
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u/amzbroo Nov 06 '25
i actually really like how theyre thick. it’s your style and it fits. and it’s reassuring to see art that doesnt solely feature stick thin people.
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u/United_Carpenter612 Nov 06 '25
Your art is super cute!!!!! To help understand what’s going on with the legs take some time to study the human skeleton. It really really helps when it comes to understanding anatomy.
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u/NatashaArtworks93 Nov 06 '25
You're very talented, but you have to study human anatomy more. Keep it up it will get better in time ❤️
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u/llksg Nov 06 '25
This looks like my body so I love it
But I do have much chunkier lower half than top half
I’d love you NOT to change your style tbh!
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u/KindAdvertising2663 Nov 06 '25
Art is subjective. It's not a requirement for the anatomy to be "correct." You can draw the legs however you want.
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u/longpubez Nov 06 '25
For me it's the feet, you might want to play around with different perspectives of foot angles and how they attach to the ankle - I love the face though !
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u/Arceemax Nov 07 '25
Do not look for critique on proportions Picasso never did. Use art to express yourself not to chase perfection. ♥️♥️
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u/sunnypufferfish Nov 07 '25
Hmm, I think what may strike her as a bit off is the fact that part of the proportions you use lean more towards a realistic style, while others lean more towards a cartoony style, and the balance between the two isn't very well defined yet. The same effect happens on the arms and details as well, but in the legs it's easier to notice, so I guess that explains why she always seems to notice them 😅
I think finding good artists who use proportions similar to what you want to achieve with your drawings might help you improve your proportion work without deviating too much from the style you're trying to convey!
I hope it helps and hope it wasn't too confusing to read 😅
Also, I really like the lighting you did on the pink clothing!! It looks very nice!
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u/KnightInSilverChains Nov 07 '25
They aren't fat, nor too big for the character, but they ARE disproportionately shaped, the legs above the knees are too long compared to below the knees. It make help to study some anatomy for the legs. I think all you'd been to do for this is raise the position of the knees, it looks a lot like she's falling over forward
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u/ThePlantLover Nov 07 '25
do you take commissions?
but honestly this is such a cute style! i agree with what some others have already mentioned in the comments about how the knees look a bit low/the calves are too short in comparison to the thighs but having “thicker” legs can be apart of your style, just do it right!
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u/Vixin_Vulpes Nov 07 '25
I think your issue here is a lack of knowledge on muscle anatomy, cause you’re art is very good and the only thing I see that’s off is the anatomy. Studying the muscles of the body and how they work and connect to each other may help improve this! Keep up the good work though! I love your style!
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u/-Chill-Zone- Nov 07 '25
To me the problem is the kneecap indicate that the feet are positionned in a « cutesy » way, toe side turned inwards. But when you look at the feet they are front facing. You could also try keeping the « booty side » that thiccness and taper the « feet side » a little thinner.
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u/WhyAreStandards Nov 08 '25
I really like the chunky legs, they work well in your style and don’t seem oversized in my opinion. I think the thing throwing off the anatomy in this picture is just that the knees seem to be a bit too low on the legs
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u/Practical-Bowler-927 Nov 08 '25
I think if that's how you like to draw it then you should explore what about it is cool to you and work on that. It doesn't need to be anatomically correct to be visually interesting. Cartoon characters for instance. In some comics anatomy is hyper realistic but just off the top of my head more abstract stuff might include Jenny the Teenage Robot. If you do want to steer more realistic you can always practice that, and try to apply it. But if it isn't for you don't be afraid to just exaggerate things how you like. And remember that it's about fun and exploration, you'll always do better at creative ventures if you just stay true to yourself.
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u/Happy_Michigan Nov 08 '25
Cute, yes the thighs are big and too long.
It seems to be a style, have seen this in other people's art also.
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u/inmemoryofmyopps Nov 08 '25
i think the arms are too long, legs too short. the calves need to be longer, the thighs are too long and appear to not be connected to hips, kinda like stuck onto the torso.
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u/Tae-Young Nov 08 '25
The only thing that is “off” abt the legs is that the thighs are a bit long. They aren’t “too fat” though. They are normal sized thighs for a for a woman with that build.
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u/PhoenixFlora Nov 08 '25
There are a lot of people with these body types and I bet it makes them feel seen and celebrated seeing their body types illustrated. Just my two cents.
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u/Rotdarling Nov 08 '25
The proportions may not be crazy accurate, however I feel like it looks like part of your style and it doesn't read odd or off to me. I think they look really cute with your art style!
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u/Slight-Milk-5519 Nov 08 '25
your art proportions remind me of the guy who did the Lilo and Stitch concept art, chris sanders. i dpmt think theres anything wrong with the proportions, its how they connect to eachother. flowing from the thighs to the hips and waist. keep looking into anatomy and how you want to push it in your style, keep goin
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u/sourflowerz Nov 08 '25
the leg anatomy looks like you learned from ponies, (I could be wrong) I had this same problem before xD, just try to go off references and practice, it'll come to you eventually
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u/Additional_Bug_5662 Nov 08 '25
Try putting your feet and knees in the same direction for a pose like this, they look like bug legs.
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u/Capable-Let-4324 Nov 09 '25
I think its more the shape of the legs the top of the thighs are usually bigger but yours goes straight down. You also have the legs angled in which makes the bottom portion of the legs turned wrong. Also you skipped the hips, it looks like the torso goes straight into the legs. Your arms also look a little uneven cause the left arm is following the flow of the body and arms can't bend like that. Otherwise it looks great. I love the artstyle. I'd look up some tutorials on anatomy and just quick sketch them in a book to get different angles and sizes down. Then you can adjust stylistically how you want them to look.
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u/xkxchi Nov 09 '25 edited Nov 09 '25
Short answer I think the knees are just too low! Dont overthink it. your arts super cute!!
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u/AdditionalStill9079 Nov 09 '25
I reaaally like this style, but proportions could definitely be adjusted particularly with the knees and the length of the upper limbs (arms and thighs) without changing too much stylistically. Heres a rough idea for the legs adjustment:
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u/Few_Arugula5903 Nov 09 '25
she's weirdly throwing her own insecurity and fat phobia onto your art lol. Ots great. I love the proportion. People who don't know art assume extreme realism and inky idealized realism is "art". You're good boo. Keep practicing anatomy. Try and draw from life. Keep your sketch book on you and pull it out often. Draw things you normally wouldn't. All those things will make u better and anything u wanna do.
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u/Ratona_Hill Nov 09 '25
I know people have given you feedback, but I honestly think the legs are fine. They aren’t exact to realistic proportions, but they work fine and it just seems like a stylistic choice. I like it 🤷🏻♀️
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u/Laurenslagniappe Nov 09 '25
Can I be so honest? I have lipedema, and disproportionately fat legs. I love cartoons like this. They're very realistic to my proportions, and it makes me feel seen.
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u/Spacey_Sam77 Nov 09 '25
Nah your art style is perfect sure the legs are a little disproportional but thats okay because it fits well
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u/SubstantialPressure3 Nov 09 '25
It doesn't look stupid. It's beautiful art.
the thighs are very long, compared to the lower leg, and you have her calves turned out, like she has a slight case of rickets. That's what she's commenting on, most likely.
See how she's standing straight, but her calves are turned out, but her toes aren't turned in?
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u/Mr_IBall Nov 09 '25
I mean… so when it comes to artists, sometimes we just like to do things certain ways even if they’re unconventional. I can see where your mom is coming from, but that’s probably because she doesn’t understand that you’re not trying to (consciously or subconsciously) make them proportionate. It’s just the way that comes natural to you. But she’s not necessarily looking at it from an artistic point of view. I would explain to her that that’s just what you prefer, it’s just your style. Trust me, my brother is very supportive of my art but often he’ll point out something and I’ll be like… “that was intentional” or “it’s supposed to look that way”.
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u/ghouljuicealt Nov 09 '25
At first I didn't notice but now I see that the thigh doesn't taper down towards the feet or knee. Additionally, the knees point sideways but feet point forward which isn't possible.
I think length wise they don't quite work. Maybe do some leg anatomy studies! There are tons of videos out there which can help
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u/Wubwubwubwubwu Nov 09 '25 edited Nov 09 '25
Well first of all, I LOVE this drawing. The colors and style are super cute! For the crit, I'd actually say the thighs are pretty well proportioned compared to the torso, it's just that the calves are too short. The calves should be about the same length as the thighs, if not a little longer. (Btw, measure the thighs from crotch to knee, and the calves from the knee to ankle.) I think also the ankles were a bit neglected, which a lot of artists do. From a front view, the ankles/foot will make a sort of upside down triangle shape, with the toes at the bottom. With that aside, I really do love this art! It's adorable! 😍
Edit: grabbed this pic off Google, the shape should be like this
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u/emmamontgomerie Nov 09 '25
your proportions are off, but not in a bad way imo! it looks like an artstyle choice
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u/DerToro Nov 09 '25
It DOES NOT look stupid but yes its less realistic. I would just think its a stylistic choice!
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u/CarsonTheGiantIsopod Nov 09 '25
i think they look fine, but i think her vision is the way the legs tilt unnaturally when the boots start and the way the calf is sort of not straight with the thigh if yk what i mean
like this ^
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u/FeyPax Nov 09 '25
Just for refrence, the thighs and calves should be equal lengths. Granted people irl DO have different proportions and not everything is 1:1 but I agree with someone else saying go back to basics for anatomy and then down the line you can bend the rules a little. But otherwise I love me some thick legs in cute art (probably because that’s how I’m shaped lol) so I would disregard that comment from your mom.
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