Informal memory figure exploring ecorche versus surface conception

This improvised figure has a second hidden reason in that it is also practice in curved hatching that can be used to better effect with pen and ink.

I really should just stop using A4 now even for my exercises. At least A3 as standard.

Informal A4 memory figure

Its good to just do a light hearted exersize

Ecorche Arm

Yesterday delicate ecorche memory arm where I'm now beginning to try to relate the silhouette of the Surface Anatomy to the Ecorche to arrive at a Figure Conception.

Ecorche Memory Drawing

This drawing is rapid resulting here in a coarser but bold treatment.
From 1.8.16 you can see a different character to 0.7mm lead pencil Ecorches.

Surface Anatomy Memory Drawing

Trying to arrive at a figure conception of the surface anatomy, A4 now becoming to small. 13.11.16.

Ecorche memory drawing moving away from Diagramatic position

This drawing shows how a simple break in position and pose of the diagram removes the scientific specimen look of the diagrams and yet notice that it is still an Ecorche exercise not a study for a specific panting. Please note that for students, creating local form through shading individual muscles is advised at the start. Drawing from 29.8.16.

Ecorche memory drawings

These recent drawings show that the A4 scale is now being naturally out grown. This is very important as in my experience for my painting you need A3 or A2 scale drawings to create life size figures.
They are in chronological order 5.9.16, 7.9.16, 8.9.16.

Female Figures

Here are two female nudes improvised from memory yesterday.
They show that artistic anatomy which is often associated with academic life drawing can also be used for a much more spontaneous delicate eloquence.

Incidentally speaking of life drawing, even though these conceptions of the female form will mainly derive from the Diagram of Woman they are also very much influenced by decades of life room drawing.

The second drawing shows Pentimenti not only in the linear corrections of the outline but also in an entire change of position of the legs.

Silly me they are dated 1.10.16 but they are 1.9.16

Diagram of Man as template

In this memory exercise from 11.7.16 using the memorized Diagram of Man that I previously posted you can see me combining this with the Cranial Index proportions.
The proportional grid is drawn free hand and is not meant to be ridged ruler work, a reasonable accuracy is achieved however due to the fact that drawing a square from  memory is actually easy.
(as long as your not hungover)
You can see my first mistake of having the bony reference point of the Anterior Superior Iliac Crest half a Cranial Index to low. I have then just corrected with over drawing without rubbing out my previous mistake.

The next day I do the same front view to embed the correct proportion but notice that I throw the light from the opposite direction from the previous day.

 

This is just my updated model book method for the internet but its just the same idea as a Renaissance workshop training using exempla.

Driving all the Horses at Once as Robert Beverly Hale puts it

Later in the same notebook as the hair styles. At the back so probably 2014 by then. Is this more fluid drawing which approaches a completeness in execution. I think that to begin with its actually best to do utilitarian poses that affect the musculature. This pose is fanciful but still demonstrates an improvised memory drawing of the surface anatomy.

Hair for the Female Diagram

Using the principle of observing reality, memorizing the hair in the round, then when back home with my materials I then try to recall and schematize the hair style so that I can use it on my memory drawings based on the Diagram Female images. Richer's Images obviously have hairstyles of turn of the 19th Century Paris.
I really love contemporary hair styles like asymmetrical sharp cuts but for a start I have went for something traditional but still common in Scotland today.
The first drawing is dated December 2013 and the next three sheets follow in a direct sequence in the notebook so are directly related to each other but probably not the same day.

My first talk went well despite it being the warmest day of the year so far

Large wall drawing demonstrating memory drawing exercises

Artistic Anatomy Books SECTION TWO

POSSIBLE CORE BOOKS

In order to qualify:
These books have surface anatomy.
Have both the muscles and skeleton fully explained.
Deeper layers explained.

Anatomy for the Artist by Jeno Barcsay
Exceptional anatomical working drawings both surface and ecorche make this anatomy a
cherished favourite. Don't buy the small spiral bound version which literally
squeeks when you turn the pages. It may be more expensive and harder to come by but
get the larger normal bound format.
Unfortunately number identified muscles make this classic work impractical for the
student especially as some of the names are on previous pages.

The Human Figure an Anatomy for Artists by David K Rubins
The sparce clarity of less than a hundred pages is this books strength.If you
prefer to learn by just contemplating the images and only want the essentials this
is excellent. Despite letter identified muscles (though doable unlike Barcsay) it
is baffling why this is not a far more popular core text. Has a good stab at a surface
canon for man and woman.
Inexpensive paperback.

GREAT ANATOMY BOOKS  Even If They Don't Qualify

Albinus on Anatomy by Robert Beverly Hale
This is one of the clearest and eloquent works on the subject in terms of the
engravings and is awesome to behold.
Unfortunately number identified muscles make this classic work impracticle
for the student especially since the engravings relate to numbered diagrams
relating to a numbered list.There is no surface anatomy.
Inexpensive paperback to reward yourself when you've learned all the names.

Atlas of Human Anatomy for the Artist by Stephen Rodgers Peck
From 1951 this is the first modern contribution to really add to the subject.
The three dimensional quality of the images is highly instructive and the
accompanying explainational notes on the form utterly practical.
Has good chapter on facial expressions often left out by other books.
Though a possible core book better as a second opinion reference especially
since it is selective asaposed to systematic in its explaination of the
deeper layers.
Inexpensive paperback

An Atlas of Anatomy for Artists by Fritz Schider
like Peck the three dimensional quality of the images is highly instructive.
The core plates are excellent but the second half of the book has old
fashioned poor quality reproductions. Though a possible core book better as
a second opinion reference especially since it is selective asaposed to
systematic in its explaination of the deeper layers.
Inexpensive paperback

A Handbook of Anatomy for Art Students by Arthur Thomson
Quite thick but small enough for a large pocket or bag this thorough anatomy
is a hidden gem rarely used as a core book as the images are small and the
book is old fashioned in nomenclature and photos. One of the few books to consider
the female form at all. For the serious student this is an excellent second opinion
reference especially if you study when you travel.
Inexpensive paperback

Anatomical Diagrams for the Use of Art Students by James M Dunlop
The most concise but vital anatomy book ever made is now only published in black
and white and is unsuitable for contemporary students being diagrammatic. Despite
this it is still excellent to show the relationship of the skeleton to the surface
anatomy. Best to travel with on public transport but only if you really understand
its just factual and your not feeling the form.
Inexpensive paperback

IMPORTANT ARTISTIC ANATOMY BOOKS  That Are Not Atlas

Bridgman's Complete Guide to Drawing from Life by George B Bridgeman
The stylised drawings might remove this from the Atlas list but once the student
grasps the conceptual aspect of each muscle mass as a plastic form the brilliance
of Bridgman emerges. Not only does he show you how to construct all the nuts and
bolts together he then demonstrates their biomechanical movement.
Inexpensive paperback

Art Anatomy by William Rimmer
From 1877 this is an almost historical curiosity never the less despite its hyperbole
it reveals lines of function and points of rest as its main process. There is a deapth
of knowledge at work which can be useful if you accept the exaggerations as good.
Inexpensive paperback

Proportion Systems

Any system of proportions should be regarded as an intellectual construct.

Seven and a half heads is still regarded as the most naturalistic but that is just a relative ruler by which you measure your own construct.

Many people who are life drawing use the eight head system since it is convenient to measure the head and compare any variance in the life models actual proportions without the half head complication  in the middle of the seven and a half system.

Advanced artists might use the Cranial Index based on a sphere in relation to the back of the Cranium.
The top of the sphere being the top of the head and the bottom being in line with the bottom of the nose.
This has the advantage of being based on the boney reference points which are more stable than moveable navel and nipples in the heads systems.It can also be divided into five eyeballs in diameter.
Also a sphere instead of an oval head has less perspective complications.

                                                         Seven and a Half Heads: Richer

 

Eight Heads: Bammes

 

 

Cranial Index: Albinus(lower leg would be lengthened to fit grid)

 

              

 



 

 

           

 

In everyday life we tend to notice height over all but almost never head size as a relative proportion. 

If two six foot people were standing next to each other and one was eight heads and the other seven heads most people would not even notice.               
 

 

Boney Refrence Points: James M Dunlop

Artistic Anatomy Glasgow

Man Diagram from Dr Paul Richer (a bit of James M Dunlop)

Artistic Anatomy Books SECTION ONE

INTRO

In section one I try to give a broad spread of knowledge so that students can gain a wider point of view before arriving at their own choices for what is, after all, a very specialised subject.
It follows that the books at the top of the list in section two could quite easily become the firm favourites of many.

In fact I find both Peck, Schider and Rubins particularly useful as their anatomy drawings are more 3-D than my top section one authors.
Also, Bridgeman has a great constructive anatomy approach I just don't recommend him for beginners.

SECTION ONE

Artistic Anatomy by Dr Paul Richer (translated by Robert Beverly Hale)
The classic text provides a faultless, clear text and plates including a surprisingly rare surface anatomy conception of the male figure.
Inexpensive paperback is essential.

New Artistic Anatomy by Dr Paul Richer (translated by Allana M Benham)
The only serious text on female surface anatomy.The follow on book from the classic core text above.
Fairly inexpensive paperback is essential.

Human Anatomy for Artists (The Elements of Form) by Eliot Goldfinger
The most rigorous explanation of the 3-D internal structure of the human form connected (with demonstration photos) to the surface anatomy.
More expensive hardback for when you decide to really commit yourself to the task long term.
Serious figurative artists should use this as their core reference.

Complete Guide to Anatomy for Artists and Illustrators by Gottfried Bammes (Search Press edit of original German material)
Intelligent analysis of life drawing  grows to become a geometric biomechanic tour de force."Industrial Design" structural drawings sometimes simplify in a superficial way, here it produces deeper insight.Has a couple of my college tutors drawings included so it can't be bad (William C.M. Cadenhead sadly missed).
Fairly inexpensive paperback shows you practical ways of using artistic anatomy knowledge.

Unmasking The Face by Paul Ekman (A Guide to Recognizing Emotions from Facial Expressions)
Once you have memorised the facial muscles this extends your understanding of the subtle emotions expressed on the surface.
You may not need to go beyond the information in Goldfinger on the other hand you might want to explore the "Affects" in depth.
Inexpensive small paperback essential for the specific subject.

Master Class in Figure Drawing by Robert Beverly Hale
Excellent book on the practical reality of using advanced drawing technique with a good knowledge of artistic anatomy.
Fairly inexpensive paperback is the essential guide to realising the drawing of the figure in the round.(poor quality of reproductions).

Drawing Lessons from the Great Masters by Robert Beverly Hale
Explains the finer points of old master drawing technique in a way that can actually be used.
Fairly inexpensive paperback is essential for artistic anatomists.(poor quality of reproductions).

The Human Figure by John H Vanderpoel
An appreciation of the subtle nuances of the human figure's surface anatomy.
Inexpensive small paperback is essential.

SECTION TWO TO FOLLOW.

Woman Diagram from Dr Paul Richer (a bit of James M Dunlop)

Woman Surface Conception from Dr Paul Richer (a bit of James M Dunlop)

Envelope Lines Study and Lateral Male Surface Study

A typical practice page from memory

A typical practice page from memory

Anterior Torso and Head Studies from memory

Drawing artistic anatomy from memory improves life drawing and all figurative art in any medium.