Anatomical life drawing

About this course

The course uses life drawing to examine how superficial anatomy affects proportion, rotation, balance, likeness, gesture and movement. Participants will work from observation while considering the ways underlying bone, muscle and fat shape the body’s surface, including how structures change with position and exerted force. Teaching includes demonstrations, hand-outs, group discussions and reflection on participants’ own work. The course distinguishes artistic anatomy from medical anatomy and applies anatomical understanding to drawing the figure from different angles.

What you'll learn

• Distinguish between artistic and medical approaches to anatomy
• Analyse proportion, rotation, weight and balance in life drawings
• Draw the body from different angles with reference to basic anatomical structures
• Relate visible changes in form to the position and force exerted on superficial structures
• Apply observational anatomy to figure drawing

Is this course right for you?

The course is intended for improver-level learners developing their life drawing practice. Experience drawing from a life model would be extremely useful, but previous study of anatomy is not expected. Participants should be able to follow written and verbal instructions, take short notes and contribute to group discussions.

• Life model drawing experience would be useful
• Includes group discussion and show-and-tell activities
• Requires following demonstrations and taking short written notes

Before you go

• Basic materials are provided.
• An A4 or similar sketchbook would be useful for written or visual notes.
• Learners will be encouraged to visit medical collections to draw from specimens.