how to use an anatomy book?

[max xiantu]

I picked up a copy of Peck's 'Atlas of Anatomy for the Artist'.
I've been reading through it, staring at it and have already learned alot, but I'm not sure of the best way to work through the book.
Should I just read it and use it as reference?
Draw everything in it? Draw just the reference diagrams?
Any tips for a beginner?

Thank you.
max:.

[rblitz7]

basically draw everything...even label the body parts or bones.

[dorian]

I've asked myself the same question and just realized I never really followed my own answers or suggestions..


best would be to read and copy drawings you think teach you something and then test yourself:

• copy a diagram where muscles are labeled, close the book and try to label all muscles and write what they do, where they originate and where they insert. (same with bones, fat deposits or whatever, but for those just write the names I guess?)
• try to draw parts of the body from memory. note where you have trouble and study (=read + copy drawings) about that part. then try again.
• sculpt all the body parts or at least those you think you don't understand. Ideally: sculpt a complete ecorchee figure with the help and guidance of a skillful anatomy teacher.. Almost impossible to do on your own without making mistakes and sort of learning wrong information..
• go to museums or places where you can look at the real things, bones, bodies, etc.
• don't forget about your own body. if you read something, it might be sort of abstract. try to find that bone/muscle/whatever on your own body. try to find out what it does and why it does what it does, what the limit of movement of a certain joint is, etc.
• more ideas, anyone? I'd love to hear them, too..!

[armando]

Probably the first place to start would be to draw a figure from your imagination to check your idea of a figure. This is the hardest part, you're going to pull your hair out trying to think of a figure as clearly as you can but it will end up a gingerbread joke. Everything you learn next will be a modification of that figure. It's best to understand the skeleton first, only then will the muscles make three dimensional sense. It's best to have a model of the skeleton, it doesn't need to be life size, just porportionately accurate. Use the pictures and descriptions from the book to look for what's important in the actual bones. Translate the bones into simple forms, long bones become cylinders or prisms, the ribcage become an egg etc. Also do cross contour exercises, both the Niccolaides type and measuring sections in perspective, most anatomy books have a few sectional diagrams. Once you have a general understanding of the bones(you don't need a complete understanding as that takes forever) start adding a muscle at a time, going through each chapter of the book. Do the same exercises with the muscles, you'll want to understand form and origin and insertion. After you have a decent understanding of the muscles it's time for life drawing(you can start life drawing at any point though). Compare your conception of the figure to an actual figure, fixing various mistakes and learning new ways to vary a figure for individuality. What will hold you back the most when first starting is not having a specific drawing technique, you won't know whether to measure shapes and angles, translate into forms or whatever. There are a lot of different approaches to drawing, and I suggest you look through various books and resources on drawing. This is a life long process.

[jonton]

I've been embarrased to ask this question, stupid I know but I have these books, they tell all this infomation and I was like "how do i learn this?".

Thanks alot, useful infomation for a beginner here !

[max xiantu]

Thanks for the words everybody.
Looks like I better get busy ...

max:.

[ArtznCraphs]

It is crucial that you thoroughly study and learn the shapes of the various bones of the skeletal system; their curves, sweeps, concavities, convexities, protrusions. These have a major effect the shapes of the muscles attached to them and dictate the overall lines, thrusts and volumes of the various parts of the human body. YOu don't want to simplify your conceptions of the bones to the point where you lose these qualities.

You will find that a single anatomy text will not be adequate enough to provide a thorough knowledge of the subject. Many books fail to display the true shapes of the muscles as seen on actual persons, and many fail to provide a complete catalog of the muscles of the body many of which are recondite and greatly effect the appearance of the muscles that lay over them. It would do you well to supplement your anatomy texts with drawings by the great masters of the figure like Michelangelo, Rubens, Pontormo, as well as studying your own body, classical sculpture, and photos (skip the bodybuilding mags though. If you need well muscled examples, try here:

http://www.sandowmuseum.com/

[rogfa]

It's already been said but draw everything. I work on one body part at a time. Take note at where the muscles intersect other muscles and where bone protrube, like the elbow and clavical. Once you start drawing from life all that training comes up to the surface again and you can start applying what you've learned.

Good luck!

[Quo]

I agree with what everyone here said; all very good advice. I was once very confused with "what the heck am I to do with all this?"...then I just realized I've been ignoring my own answers to my questions! Study & practice, nothing more much to it; yet there can be many ways to study, and practice...
Depending what you are into? Realistic drawing/painting (life drawing), semi-realistic or in-between with a stylish twist... cartoonish? Anime/manga? Comic book style? Basically...no matter whether you are wanting to do just life drawing, or drawing from imagination, it takes just study and practice.
Ta'da!

And by practice I DO mean, so much... Don't think it wont be frustrating sometimes. It is like any other skill.

[Farvus]

I see it like this: draw from book, try out, find parts you are unsure of and go back to book, try out; draw from book, try out, find parts you are unsure of and go back to book, try out; draw from book, try out, find parts you are unsure of and go back to book, try out... Go with this process for every chapter.

Farv.