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The world of art offers a lot of variety in the form of drawing or painting. Oil painting classes are one of the most popular ways to get acquainted with art. Oil paintings cover a lot of different disciplines, such as Impressionist paintings, landscape paintings, life model painting and more. Coming to the latter, it requires a deep knowledge and understanding of the human form, including facial features. This is why surface anatomy is a key part of life model painting. In this blog, VR School of Art, one of the leading drawing classes and art school in Toronto, will cover the basics of surface anatomy.
In the context of life model painting and art, surface anatomy is the study of superficial or external features of the human body. This concept also covers the relationship between the external body and its underlying structures.
The most important reason to study surface anatomy is to glean a deeper understanding of the human form, whether it is still or in motion. Without this concept, the paintings depicting the human form can lack depth and realism, which is vital in life model painting.
- The Skeletal Structure: This is the base upon which other features of the human form are set up, such as muscles and skin. So a budding life model artist must familiarize themselves with the major bones in the skeletal structure, such as the pelvis, skull, limbs and spine.
- The Muscular System: These are the predominant aspects of surface anatomy when it comes to life model drawing and painting. By understanding the major muscle groups, their positioning and the way they flex or relax, one can create super realistic artworks depicting the human form in all its glory.
- Proportion: Lastly, another basic aspect of surface anatomy is learning about proportion. How long or short the limbs are when compared to the torso, how big or small the head is in proportion to the rest of the body, all of this falls under proportion. As artists get better with the art form, they gain a deeper understanding of different body proportions.
Want more tips on oil painting and drawing? Enroll in one of our oil painting classes at VR School of Art. As one of the most reputable drawing classes and art schools in Toronto, we offer classes for kids and adults alike. Contact us at 647-894-7706 for more details.