Anatomy of the Human Body
Master the Human Figure!
If you’ve ever felt like your figure drawings are missing a sense of structure, you aren't alone. Most artists spend years trying to "fake" anatomy by shading the surface, only to realize that without an understanding of what’s happening underneath, the drawing will never feel quite right.
Anatomy is the foundation of believable figure drawing. It allows you to move beyond simply copying a reference photo and gives you the power to invent figures from your imagination. In this course, we’re going to look past the surface and study the mechanics of the human body so you can draw with confidence, intent and most of all, mastery.
The Core Curriculum
Our study begins with the skeleton. By understanding the structure of the bones, their joints, and key landmarks, you establish a reliable framework for proportions and motion. We then build upon this foundation by tracking the muscles and more specifically, their origins and insertions. Knowing exactly where a muscle attaches is the only way to consistently place it in the right spot. To make this manageable, we use simple, planar forms. These blocky shapes help you master shading and perspective, ensuring your drawings feel three-dimensional rather than flat.
As we progress, we’ll dive into the complexity of layering and cross-sections. Muscles don’t just sit on top of each other; they weave together in a specific order that defines the surface of the body. We will also explore the function of these muscles as a machine, studying how they flex, stretch, and relax in motion. Finally, we look at variation and idealization. You’ll learn how anatomy shifts across different body types and how to "edit" what you see to make a more compelling, aesthetically pleasing drawing.
Learn Three Distinct Parts of the Body
To keep things organized, there's three parts to this course and they're divided by the three major regions of the body:
The Torso
We start with the core of the figure. You’ll learn to master the ribcage, the pelvis, and the complex musculature of the back and abdomen. This section is crucial for establishing the "gesture" and weight of your poses.
The Arms and Hands
Often the most expressive part of a drawing, the arms can also be the most confusing. We’ll break down the mechanics of the shoulder and the intricate twisting of the forearm muscles so you can draw them accurately from any angle. This section also covers the hands which is perhaps the most challenging part of the human figure. I’ll show you how to simplify the complex structure of the palm, knuckles, and fingers into manageable forms, allowing you to draw expressive hands that look natural rather than stiff or distorted.
The Legs and Feet
The legs provide the support and rhythm of the body. We’ll study the massive muscle groups of the upper leg and the distinct shapes of the lower leg, focusing on how they maintain balance and carry weight. To finish the lower extremity, we dive into the feet. We’ll look at the structural arch, the specific placement of the ankles, and how to simplify the toes into clear shapes. By the end of this section, your characters will look like they are actually standing firmly on the ground rather than just floating above it.
Professional Tools for Study
I’ve designed this course to be more than just a series of videos. To help you truly internalize these concepts, I’ve included extra resources to make learning anatomy easy and fun!
Interactive 3D Models
Watching lessons about anatomy is one thing; seeing it in 3D is another. Each bone and muscle group we learn will be available as a 3D model for you to use right in your browser. After each lesson you can open up the 3d model and study it further. Being able to spin it around and look at the muscles from any angle is helpful in truly understanding the 3d forms.
Companion eBooks
For those who prefer study guides while they work, the course includes comprehensive eBooks. These contain high-resolution diagrams, summaries of the lessons, and quick-reference guides to the origins and insertions of every major muscle group.
Meet Skelly, Your Anatomical Guide
Every student needs a study partner, and yours just happens to be made of bone. Skelly is a recurring character throughout the course, providing silly but genuinely valuable insights into the quirks of human anatomy. He’s there to remind you of the important landmarks and keep the mood light when the Latin terminology starts to get dense. Think of him as the friend who’s always willing to pose for you, but mostly because he doesn't have a choice and who makes the process of learning anatomy a lot less intimidating.
Essentially he's here to give you a hand..er arm to help you with anatomy.
Take Control of Your Figures
Anatomy doesn't have to be a chore of memorizing Latin names. It's about understanding how the human body works so that your art can reach its full potential. Whether you’re interested in concept art, illustration, or fine art, this course will provide you with skills you’ll use for the rest of your career.
Let's get started!
Premium videos are extended versions of free videos. This includes additional demonstrations and critique videos. Whenever diagrams or photos are provided, premium students get high resolution versions, which you can download and print for your reference.
The videos are downloadable, so you can watch them without internet access and transfer them to a tablet like an iPad. Going on vacation? Download them so you can watch them on the plane and in that cabin in the woods.
You also get access to 3D models.
