How to Draw Pecs – Form
Assignment
Your homework is a two-parter. For part 1, do a tracing over a model photo of the pectoralis major and all of its bundles. If you’re not sure how to do a tracing, refer back to the Anatomy Tracing lesson. For part 2 of the assignment, invent the pectoralis major on top of photos of Skelly. I’ve provided reference photos for part 1 and 2 in the link above. Download those and start drawing! If you have the Skelly app, you can create your own pose and draw the pecs on top. Post your work in our anatomy group on facebook!
When you’re finished with the homework watch my assignment examples to compare your work.
For additional help, watch my critique session on the pecs. I go over student submitted work and provide insights on how they can improve their assignment examples.
How to Draw Pecs – Form
In the previous lesson, we learned the anatomical structure of Pecs. Now, let’s take a look at how you can apply all this information to construct the forms of the pecs in your drawings.
The pecs make a curved front plane that faces slightly upwards. The bottom plane starts at or just below the nipple. The depth of this bottom plane determines how thick the muscle is.
To do a drawing of the pecs, I suggest you start with a light lay-in of the skeleton to help place the muscle on top.
Let’s start with the clavicular portion. Originating from the clavicle and stretches the farthest of the 3 portions, until it’s covered by the deltoid.
Then the sternal portion, from the entire length of the sternum, converges toward the armpit and dips under the clavicular portion.
In male figures, there’s a crescent-shaped fat pad on the lower outer corner that contributes to its boxy-ness. Man boobs are simply a result of that crescent-shaped fat pad gaining more and more mass and running over onto the rib cage. When the arm is raised, the lower mass of the pec thins, and the lower border becomes harder to distinguish. You might see ribs you couldn’t see before.
Variation
There are variations to the chest depending on the physique of the person, such as lean, average, muscular, and heavy. To learn more about these variations, head on over to the proko.com/anatomy. The premium section has longer lessons, 3d models, and additional demonstrations.
Check out the Premium Anatomy course to see the full version of this video and all other Anatomy videos.
If you haven’t done the assignment yet, refer back to our previous video to get the assignment images and instructions.
In the next episode, we’ll explore the female chest, and how it’s different and similar to the male chest.
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Assignment
Your homework is a two-parter. For part 1, do a tracing over a model photo of the pectoralis major and all of its bundles. If you’re not sure how to do a tracing, refer back to the Anatomy Tracing lesson. For part 2 of the assignment, invent the pectoralis major on top of photos of Skelly. I’ve provided reference photos for part 1 and 2 in the link above. Download those and start drawing! If you have the Skelly app, you can create your own pose and draw the pecs on top. Post your work in our anatomy group on facebook!
When you’re finished with the homework watch my assignment examples to compare your work.
For additional help, watch my critique session on the pecs. I go over student submitted work and provide insights on how they can improve their assignment examples.
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Hi stan, i got a tendonitis of the sovraspinatus drawing on a clipboard (50x60cm) as you explain on the drawing supplies video, maybe it is too large? Are there some advices you can give to avoid these injuries?
Raffaele, I would consult a doctor about your injuries. Maybe you’re not relaxed? Bad posture? I’ve never had any problems drawing on a clipboard so I’m not sure what’s happening with you. Sorry to hear about that. Ask a doctor for advice please.
Thank you this really helped. I was stuck introducing the pec to the arm in almost all angles, thanks.