![]() The main function of skeletal muscles is to shorten, or contract, their overall shape to produce movement. It is the skeletal muscles that most interest artists because they are instrumental in creating bodily movement and because their shapes are often easy to see beneath the surface of the body. These muscles assist in various movements while remaining independent of any group.īeyond the groupings given above, muscles are classified as belonging to three basic types: cardiac muscle (pertaining to the heart), smooth muscles (usually affiliated with the tubular structures of the body, such as the arteries, colon, and bronchial tubes, as well as the iris of the eye), and skeletal muscles. As their name implies, the skeletal muscles attach to bones. Some muscles, such as the sartorius muscle of the upper leg, do not belong to any of these categories. By colloquial (common) names (e.g., thumb group, inner thigh group, upper thigh group, hamstring group).By compartment, because muscles are separated into different compartments by deep fascia called intermuscular septa (e.g., anterior compartment, posterior compartment, medial compartment).By their location in the body or by reference to other anatomical forms (e.g., gluteal group, abdominal group, pectoral group, scapula group, radial group, thenar group, peroneal group).By their function or action (e.g., flexor group, extensor group, adductor group).Besides being identified by the layer to which they belong, muscles can be grouped in a number of other ways, including the following: One way to become familiar with muscles is to categorize them into groups wherever possible. Some anatomy books refer to a middle layer, called the intermediate layer, located in the lower arm, foot, and torso. With only a few exceptions, such as the sacrospinalis muscle of the back, the muscles of the deep layer do not influence the surface forms and usually are not visible. ![]() Many figurative artists become familiar with the superficial layer when learning the basic anatomical forms of the body. Muscles are situated within the body in two basic layers: the superficial muscle layer (also known as externus or superficialis) and the deep muscle layer (also called internus or profundus). MUSCLES OF THE FEMALE FIGURE-POSTERIOR VIEW MUSCLES OF THE FEMALE FIGURE-ANTERIOR VIEW MUSCLES OF THE MALE FIGURE-POSTERIOR VIEW The following drawings show the male and female figures in both anterior and posterior views. Let’s begin by looking at the entire muscular system. Learning about the muscular system thus opens a creative door to many possible artistic options, whether you pursue an exacting anatomical realism, exaggerate bodily forms to create interesting visual dynamics, or explore a more expressive interpretation of the human form. Their knowledge of anatomy never overpowered their personal style or aesthetics-it only enhanced their work. When you view figurative works by painters and sculptors such as Michelangelo, Artemesia Gentileschi, Auguste Rodin, Peter Paul Rubens, and others, it’s evident that these artists were well aware of anatomical forms and utilized that information to serve their artistic vision. Understanding the basic placement of muscles and how they stretch and compress in different movements will give you, as an artist, the advantage of knowing what occurs beneath the skin (and how that) influences what you see on the surface.įigurative artists from centuries past up to the present have known the value of studying the human muscular system. ![]() One of the many challenges in drawing the figure is to depict surface forms changing in various poses. Muscles, along with the subcutaneous layer of adipose (fatty) tissue, define the overall shape of the figure, “fleshing out” its structure and giving substance and character to the body. This basic information will be elaborated on in the following chapters on the muscle groups of different regions of the body. Tendons are also introduced, with a focus on their characteristics and how they influence the surface form. We will also look at how muscles change shape in different movements. In this chapter, we introduce the basic traits of the skeletal muscles, their positions in the body, how they attach to bones, and how they maneuver the joints when they contract. Classic Human Anatomy in Motion: The Artist's Guide to the Dynamics of Figure Drawing Chapter 3. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |