Muscles Assignment/ References

These are references that I found that I felt were all good. The artistic references are so different from the virtual poses. I love seeing the differences, and especially any studies and drawings by Leonardo or Michelangelo. 
Michelangelo / libyan (this isn't frontal obviously, but I think it is a great one for posterior muscles!) Michelangelo / Ignudi Caravaggio / Christ at Column Leonardo / Study of shoulder and neck

"The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding." - Leonardo

 

 

virtual poses:

 

 

 

 

                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                        

 

 

Skeleton

Our assignment for the weekend: 3 drawings of skeleton from different views, anterior, posterior, and lateral. These drawings we bring in Monday to overlay muscular structure, so they must be proportionate and correct. We begin by drawing the skeleton in class. Here are a few photos we are working from, these are a few of my angle, with additional help... How many heads tall was that again, David?!!

Trunk Study

Practise with different positions and the handouts really helps to see how the thoracic and pelvic regions relate. I really like the last handout drawings with the geometric breakdown of the body. I definitely see how understanding the skeletal and muscular structure makes all the difference in drawing the figure. The following are some of my practise sketches...

The Scapula

I have been studying the skeletal landmarks of the upper body and decided the best way for me to learn and understand the scapula, how it is shaped, and where the landmarks are, is to draw it in more detail from different angles. It really helps me to know how it comes together.





Skeletal Landmarks

Skeletal landmarks are visual skeletal points that we can use as clues to how the skeletal structure is put together. These landmarks are places that we look for and use our visual tools of measurement to express the figure and what it is doing, or how it is positioned within a given composition. So, to better draw the figure, you must understand the figure. Knowing anatomical names, what they mean, and what they refer to gives us power over the mystery of drawing not just what we see, but an understanding of how what we are seeing comes together.

Skeletal Landmarks of the Trunk

Anterior means front, and we will start with the anterior trunk of the figure and go down the body pointing out visual landmarks the artist uses for constructing the figure. Posterior means rear, again from top downward- skeletal landmarks are:

(These are not the best drawings in the world for sure!! But they are from memory!! It does help me to learn the landmarks and where they fall, even on an ugly drawings that may not be perfectly accurate! )

Names have meanings, if something has "anterior" in the name, then there is a "posterior". Same with superior, if something has superior in the name, then there is an inferior; skeletal names are specified for location and placement as well as reference to the bone or muscle or joint. All of these names give clues to where they are, and when we understand where they are, the more accurately we can draw the figure.

Transcribing Info

So, I got our handout of assignments a bit late and didn't know about some of the assignments, and am trying to get caught up!

Proportions are relationships of size; how parts measure to each other as well as a whole.
Body measurements- usually reference to "heads" for units of measure.
Average- usually about 7 heads tall is an average male heigth. However, most people prefer an 8 head tall figure, like the Greeks and Romans did. They have a more elegant feel and most people like this ideal figure better than reality.
Proportions of masses- using the head as the unit of measure, on average the torso, or ribcage is about 1& 1/2  to 1& 3/4 heads tall, and the pelvis is about the same in heigth as the head. In width, shoulders are about 2 heads wide and hips average 1& 1/2 heads. The head is usually about 2/3's wide as tall. These are good basic averages.
Key points- shoulders, elbows, knees, ankles and wrists; also nipples, navel, and skeletal points are good landmarks and are all points to use sighting and measuring devices to get more accurate proportions.

Sighting devices- visual tools used to take measurements; comparative measuring, angle dropping, plumb line, level line.
Comparative measure- using a straight tool (pencil or rod) to measure length of head to compare body parts, heigth, and width. Must hold arm straight out to get accurate measurements each time to be accurate, cannot bend arm or will get different measurements and proportions will be off.
Plumb line- hold straight edge out vertically to see alignment parts or areas, locate intersections of key points or parts for accurate positioning.
Level line- hold straight edge horizontal to locate intersections and see alignments for accurate positioning.
Angle dropping- holding straight edge against angle of key parts of figure to determine relationship of intersections and get more accurate positioning, hold angle and lay against drawing to transfer same angle and align parts within drawing.
Midpoint- the vertical center of the subject

Male Figure

I thought I had a few more photos of some gestures, but this is what I have to post. This was the first male I had ever drawn, and eventhough we hear that men and women are different, how the pelvic bone has a different tilt and shape in the male, it was awesome to see how different. I was also surprised at how blocky and rectangular the muscle structure is. I found my marks much more squared and bulky instead of soft and curved, it was really nice, and challenging, to do something new. (Haha, I say that like the figure isn't challenging in the female or something!! Not the case, all figures are challenging for me!)