Pose & style reference · Poses
Lying down pose reference
Also called: lying down reference, lying on back pose, reclining pose, laying down pose
In short
A lying down pose rests the whole body on a horizontal surface, usually on the back or on one side. Gravity now pulls across the body instead of down it, so hair spreads out, clothing settles toward the ground and the figure flattens wherever it touches the surface.
Reference photos
Photos are shown from mfan8.com with credit to the photographers and models. Tap a photo to open the full set.
When to use a lying down pose
Lying poses set a quiet mood: resting in a meadow, reading in bed, watching the sky, or a dreamy portrait with hair fanned out around the head. A reclining pose propped on an elbow sits between lying and sitting and is a classic in painting and fashion photography.
The pose also lets you photograph or draw from directly above, a viewpoint that turns the ground into a background and shows the whole figure without perspective tricks.
Lying down variations
- Flat on the back, arms at the sides or above the head.
- On the back with knees raised, feet flat on the ground.
- On the side, head resting on the lower arm, knees slightly bent.
- Reclining on an elbow: torso raised, head in hand or chin turned to the viewer.
- Hair fan: lying on the back with the hair spread around the head like a halo.
- Upside-down framing: shot from above the head so the face appears inverted.
How to draw a figure lying down
Even lying flat, give the body a gentle line of action, such as a curve through the spine or a bent knee, so it does not read as a plank. Draw the ground plane first and make sure every body part that touches it flattens slightly: the back of the head, shoulder blades, buttocks and heels when on the back; shoulder, hip and outer knee when on the side. A body that floats above the surface is the most common error.
Rotate your thinking: the head's weight goes into the ground, so the neck relaxes and the jaw turns. Hair falls toward the surface and spreads; long skirts and sleeves drape down to the ground on all sides. On a side lie, the waist dips and the hip becomes the highest point.
How to pose and shoot a lying down pose
The easiest angle is directly overhead, with the photographer standing over the subject or on a stable step, a lens of about 35–50 mm and the camera parallel to the ground. For eye-level shots, lie down on the ground too and shoot along the grass.
- Arrange hair and clothing by hand before each shot; they will not fall nicely on their own.
- Bend at least one knee or elbow to break the straight line of the body.
- Turn the face slightly toward the light so the eyes do not fall into shadow.
- Check the ground for insects, wet patches and sharp stones, and put down a thin cloth if needed.
FAQ
Is it lying down or laying down?
Lying down is the standard form for a person resting. Laying takes an object, as in laying a blanket down, though laying down pose is a common search phrase.
What is the best angle for lying down photos?
Straight overhead with the camera parallel to the ground, or at ground level from the side for a more intimate view.
How do I draw hair for a character lying on their back?
Let it spread outward from the head and rest flat on the surface, not hang down as it would when standing.