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Posted: July 30, 2012

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Help with anatomy study?

~Stupidespeon Jul 30, 2012

So I've been trying to get started with learning anatomy for artistic purposes. Problem is I can't find good references. I see studies made by other artists with bones and muscles in dynamic view when all I can find are front or back views (the books and web images all say anterior and posterior if that helps anyone...). Am I to deduce the geometries of the bones and muscles from such a simple understanding? I hardly think the results will be accurate. In a literal sense I don't exactly have any skeletons in my closet to study. To any experienced artist who have studied anatomy in the way that those who have created the studies I mentioned earlier my question is this: How did you go about doing it?

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~Dhr-Bosch Jul 31, 2012

life drawing is the only way to go. it is important to know the basic muscle groups and the important parts of the skeleton, but generally life drawing is the only way to learn how they work in action. 2d reference material is not reliable, because you will learn to copy without understanding, quicker then you will learn to understand.

generally no point in waiting for life drawing classes though. i used to get together with a bunch of art-minded types and just take turns modelling ourselves. other good places to get references are: bus stops, buses/trains/subways, bars, classrooms (especially during exams though this might be counter-productive to your academic career though) your own left hand is a great model for hand studies, the mirror and finally, i have noticed that if you start sketching outdoors, people will gladly model for you as long as you either give them the result or let them take a picture of it.

~Stupidespeon Jul 31, 2012

You've got nothing to worry about concerning my not learning how muscles work in action. I will not simply copy diagrams, I'm too paranoid for that. I won't simply copy a muscle, I plan to study it's function and what it looks like while the body is in various poses. Life drawing, I'm sure, is not the only way to go. I don't believe in constants. I know I'm asking help of other artists and at the same time seeming to tell you what's what, but, on top of being uncomfortable doing it, I don't think life drawing will work for me. Like I said, I'll still try, but I'd rather hit the books first. I just don't think I'll learn like you did...

~Dhr-Bosch Aug 1, 2012

suit yourself, but drawing from a 2d reference will never be able to teach wou what a 3d model could. the visual information just isn't there.

~Stupidespeon Jul 31, 2012

Thank you for all the posts. I have huge doubts that someone like me will be able to derive accurate anatomy from nude figures and people I ask to pose for me. I'm not terribly fast at drawing and I'm not terribly good at copying, especially from real life. I'd rather find useful pictures and diagrams in anatomy books and try to figure out the geometries of the bones, then find out where the muscles attach, what they are shaped like, and what their function is. That being said, I'll probably take the advice of nelchee, iliasPatlis, cabepfir, and aro-dynamic, but thanks to all those who took time to respond. You see I'm trying to learn anatomy for the sake of turning that hyper realistic composition of bones and muscles into some form of style. I'm also trying to build a good portfolio to get into SCAD and integrate what I learn into my 3d modeling skills. I probably need to practice more in drawing, but it's not the only thing I do, so I'll have to set some stuff aside (and no, it's not JUST video games). Anyway, thank you all. You've been very helpful!

=Slave2Karma Jul 31, 2012

Working with photo references and anatomy books will help, but the thing that WILL help you the most is taking figure or life drawing. You get a sense of depth, light and shadow that you can't get from a photo, and it's crazy how much perspective you gain from just one session of drawing. ^_^

~Stupidespeon Jul 31, 2012

Well, I'm sure it won't hurt to try... I have no idea where to find it locally, though. Probably through the nearest Preston Arts Center. They'd point me in the right direction.

=Slave2Karma Jul 31, 2012

Google it. You can find classes at local universities, Art centers, or cultural centers.

~Stupidespeon Jul 31, 2012

Then again, we're all different. What worked for you may not work for me. I've got it in my head that anatomy books are the way I will learn, but I'm running on the assumption that you did study books and photos and it didn't work out for you or it didn't prove as valuable as the figure drawing class. My problem is that I have trouble copying down physical objects, and I'd rather learn to pull something from my head than have to look at a reference anyway.

~ArtNine Jul 31, 2012

Find someone willing to pose for photo references.

~Stupidespeon Jul 31, 2012

I'm far too socially awkward for that. I'll stick to books. Thanks anyway, though.

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