EXPLORING THE TORSO TIPS

EXPLORING THE TORSO TIPS

 Proportion The pelvic girdle is about 1 head high, and the torso-from trochanters to 7th cervical vertebroe-is about 3 heads high.

Simplified Figurette Sketching with simple lines and basic shapes is a good way to establish the base of a figure drawing.

Tips The nipples, 1 head-width apart, are vertically aligned with pelvic landmarks and diagonally aligned with the acromian pro­ cesses.

Detail Note the relationship between the skeletal and muscular struc­ tures (A). The linea alba (interrupting tendons) of the rectus abdominis create a "six pack" appearance as they arch progressively higher toward the sternum (B). Two of the interrupting tendons line up with the 10th rib and the navel (e).

Trapezoids represent the overall bone structure of the torso from both front and rear views. Here you can see the same three·part division. 

This simplified sketch from the back view includes an important feature: a line from the 7th cervical vertebrae to the sacral triangle. 

On an erect figure, the bones of both the lower ribs and the upper spine are apparent, where­ as the lumbar region looks like a furrow. 

The shape of the trapezius is similar to that of a kite (A) or a four­ pointed star (e). The simplified shape of the latissimus dorsi suggests the appearance of an upside-down triangle (B), with a diamond-shaped sheath removed from its upside-down apex (D). 

The simplified torso from the side view has a bean-shaped appear­ ance, but the same proportional divisions of the torso apply.

The simplified figurette in profile makes use of the bean and oval shapes that appear in the pro­ portional drawing at left. 

The simplified figurette in profile makes use of the bean and oval shapes that appear in the pro­ portional drawing at left. 

The serratus anterior muscle starts alongside the first eight ribs, then ends at the inner margin of the scapula (A). Its main mass appears as a bulge underneath the latissimus dorsi (B). At the muscle's origin (on the ribs), it looks a little like the fingers of a hand (e). 

DEPICTING THE ARM FRONT VIEW

DEPICTING THE ARM FRONT VIEW

Bones The underlying skeletal structure determines much of the overall shape of the arm (figure 1). Several elements of this substructure, such as the inner epicandyle (E), act as visual landmarks that are identifiable even under layers of muscle (figure 2) and skin (figure 3). 

Muscles The upper and lower portions of the arm each consist of three major muscle masses. The bicep and brachialis of the upper arm bend the lower arm, the tricep (see page 31) straightens it, and the deltaid raises the entire arm. In the lower arm, the flexars (flexor carpi radiales, palmerus longus, and flexor carpi ulnaris) bend the palm and clench the fingers; the extensors on the back of the arm (see page 31) straighten the palm and open the fingers; and the supinators (brachioradialis, see page 31), attached to the outer epicandyle (0, figure 1) on the outside arm, rotate the hand outward. A fourth, smaller muscle, the Praetorian teres, rotates the palm inward.   

Drawing Tips The bicep does not extend across the full width of the upper arm. The del­ toid inserts in between the brachialis and the bicep. 

DEPICTING THE ARM BACK VIEW

DEPICTING THE ARM BACK VIEW

Bones Much of the overall shape of the arm in the back view is determined by the under­ lying skeletal structure, just as with the front view. The inner and outer epicondyle (0 and (E), are again identifiable, even under layers of muscle. And from this view, the olecranon, or elbow (F), also is evident. 

Muscles Muscles work in opposing pairs: Flexors (see page 30, figures 2 and 3) pull and extensors extend, moving in the opposite direction. When a flexor or extensor muscle becomes active, its opposite becomes passive. From the back view, when the hand is pronate (illustrated in figures 2 and 3 above), extensor groups are the most prominent muscles. On the upper arm, the tricep is the most visible extensor. On the lower arm, extensor carpi radialis langus, extensor carpi ulnaris, and extensor digitorum, which all originate on the outer epicondyle, are evident. 

Drawing Tips The tricep has three heads (the long and outer heads are shown here; the medial head lies beneath). All share a common tendon: a flattened form on the back of the upper arm.