Ideas for anatomy studies

[Whitevillage]

I was thinking how to aproach studying human anatomy the best and most effecient way. I made a list of thoughts from my self.
Just yesterday, I thought on how to study step by step body parts of the human being. Because I have a hard time to get used to all the information I gather and study when doing anatomy studies, thinking I'm missing something out or don't give enough attention to those parts I'm weak in.
I'm interested what the views of others are on this, got any tips or critiques at how I (and others) should work?

Here's the list:

- Every few days/a week (less or more, depending on time) studying a part of the body (CG, traditional media).

- What should I study per body part?
- the masses,
- how it functions,
- naming (important) muscle and bone groups,
- visibility between skin/bone/muscle/fat,
- main differences between male and female and body types slim, fat and petite,
- Values, hard and soft edges

- Which body parts?
- head (especially form, expressions and age),
- hands,
- feet,
- arms,
- legs,
- main body,

- Reference material and extra?
- anatomy, fitness books, posemaniacs, photo's
- life drawing (your self in the mirror or others),
- body part subjects from different angles/camera view,
- end of the day/study drawing from imagination what you have learned and comparing.
- how to apply realistic to more an abstract/stylistic style.
- internal organs

[J Wilson]

You've got a fairly comprehensive list there. I agree breaking the body down into different study areas helps. When I'm doodling bodies I only indicate the face, hands, and feet roughly, because I'm more concerned with other things. Likewise when I'm studying hands, feet, or heads, I don't need to draw much else. In a finished drawing they all go together, but for study purposes you can can stick to those things you are most interested in at the moment.

Certainly study and know very well the skeleton and muscles of the body. Internal organs, I can't think of any way that would help unless you intended to draw them. The best way to draw is a willing model, but not many people are eager to just throw out different hand gestures for hours on end. The next best solution is to either draw yourself (which poses other issues), or grab a camera and a friend or two and shoot as many photos as you can for later use. With a good digital camera you can shoot literally hundreds of decent photos in a short amount of time, and you control the poses, lighting, etc. If that doesn't work for you, try photos online to study from. I recommend finding a photography forum, and you'll find if you are lucky a photographer who likes shooting people from unusual angles and poses, which will challenge you more than the very average photos you'll find everywhere else. Those average ones are good too, but you'll master them quicker and need more challenging positions to really cement your knowledge.

[Whitevillage]

J Wilson: Thanks for your help giving advices. About the internal organs; I think it's not nescesary either, but it might be helpful how to place organs in a body and maybe later for some more undead/alien body types. Still, I added this as an extra study.
I will certainly look into photography, thanks.