Hello! Welcome back to your digital art journey.
In our last lesson, you learned to construct simplified 'mannequin' figures, using basic boxes and cylinders to capture dynamic poses. This was a crucial step in understanding the body as a series of volumes in space.
Today, we transition from that generic mannequin to a more structured foundation. The learning outcome for this lesson is to identify and draw the major components of the axial skeleton (skull, spine, ribcage, pelvis) as simple forms. We'll be replacing the basic boxes you used for the head and torso with their underlying skeletal structures, simplified for drawing. This marks the true beginning of your deep dive into anatomy, moving from a general human shape to a specific, structured framework.
Think of the previous mannequin as a wireframe or a low-fidelity prototype. Today, we're upgrading those placeholder components with their first-pass, functional models, giving our figure a solid and believable core.
1. The Axial Skeleton: The Body's Central Pillar
Before we draw, let's define our focus. The human skeleton is divided into two main parts. For now, we are concerned with the axial skeleton, which forms the central axis of the body. It's the anchor that supports the head and torso, and to which the limbs attach.
To understand this concept clearly, let's turn to a brief reading.
The resource "Simplified Skeletal Structure" provides a concise definition of the axial skeleton and its main components for artists.
Please read the sections titled "Building from the Bones" and "The Central Pillar." Then, scroll down to the "Review" section and read the definition provided for "Axial Skeleton (for drawing)." Focus on identifying the three main masses and how they are connected.
As the reading clarifies, the axial skeleton for our purposes consists of three primary masses connected by the spine:
- The Skull
- The Rib Cage
- The Pelvis
The image below shows these key components in a simplified, easy-to-read line art style. Keep this image in mind as a reference for the fundamental shapes we'll be constructing.
2. Constructing the Skull as a Simple Form
The skull is anatomically complex, but for drawing, we can start with a very effective simplification. We'll move beyond a simple oval and learn a method that helps define its 3D structure.
The following video provides an excellent, practical method for constructing the skull from any angle, starting with a simple sphere.
Drawing The SKULL - Anatomy, Proportions & Construction - Anatomy 1
The video "Drawing The SKULL" by Dan Beardshaw demonstrates a powerful construction technique. We will focus on his simplified method.
Watch the segment from 08:02 to 11:10. Pay close attention to how the artist starts with a sphere, slices off the sides, and adds the jaw to create the basic form. This process allows you to define the angle and perspective of the head right from the start.
This method of starting with a sphere, establishing a centerline and eyeline, and then attaching the jaw is a cornerstone of head drawing. It's a system you will use constantly.
3. The Rib Cage, Spine, and Pelvis
With the head established, let's build the torso. The key is to understand the relationship between the spine, rib cage, and pelvis. They don't form a single, rigid block.
The Flexible Spine
The spine is not a straight rod; it has a distinct S-curve that is essential for natural posture.
Drawing The SPINE - Anatomy, Structure & Movement - Anatomy 2
In "Drawing The SPINE" by Dan Beardshaw, we'll see how to simplify the spine's complex structure into a manageable form.
Watch the first 1 minute and 28 seconds of the video. Focus on how the spine is simplified into an 'S' curve from the side and a relatively straight line from the front. Notice how cylinders or ellipses can be used to show its form in perspective.
The Rib Cage and Pelvis as Forms
Now, let's attach the two main masses of the torso to the spine. We'll simplify the rib cage into a barrel or egg shape and the pelvis into a bowl or blocky form. Getting their shape, tilt, and the space between them correct is critical.
How To Draw Human Anatomy For Beginners: Complete Step-by ...
The article "How To Draw Human Anatomy For Beginners" gives practical steps for drawing these forms and points out a common mistake to avoid.
Read the sections "Step 2: Add the Rib Cage," "Step 3: Add the Pelvis," and "Mistake 2: Rib Cage Positioned Too Low or Too Close to the Pelvis." This will show you how to draw these shapes and, just as importantly, how to place them correctly in relation to each other.
While an oval is a good start for the pelvis, we can add a bit more structure to better represent its form. Thinking of it as a flattened bowl or a blocky, bucket-like shape will help you understand its three-dimensional nature.
4. Practice: Assembling the Axial Skeleton
Now, let's put everything together. Your task is to draw the complete axial skeleton. This exercise will solidify your understanding of these core forms and their relationships.
Estimated Time: 30 minutes
Objective: To draw the simplified axial skeleton from three different views.
Tools: Your iPad with Procreate.
Instructions:
- Set Up: Create a new canvas in Procreate.
- Front View:
- Draw a straight vertical line for the spine.
- At the top, construct the skull using the sphere-based method.
- Attach the rib cage as a barrel or egg shape. Following the 8-head proportion guide, it starts about 1.5 heads down from the chin.
- Draw the pelvis as a bowl or blocky shape. Remember to leave about one head-unit of space between the bottom of the rib cage and the top of the pelvis.
- Side View:
- On a new layer or a different part of the canvas, start with a gentle S-curve for the spine.
- Construct the skull in a side view.
- Draw the rib cage and pelvis, making sure their tilt follows the curve of the spine. Notice from the side view that the rib cage and pelvis have depth. Try to represent them as 3D forms, not flat shapes.
- Three-Quarter View (Challenge):
- On a new layer, draw a more dynamic S-curve for the spine, perhaps bent forward slightly.
- Draw the skull in a three-quarter view.
- Draw the rib cage and pelvis as 3D forms (a barrel and a bowl in perspective). This is challenging, but it's the most practical application. Focus on how the forms overlap and how their centerlines curve with the pose.
Don't worry about perfection. The goal is to internalize these simplified forms and how they connect. This is a significant step up from the basic mannequin, so take your time.
Conclusion
Excellent work today. You have successfully replaced the generic blocks of the mannequin with simplified, but anatomically-based, structures for the axial skeleton. This is the bedrock upon which all your future anatomy studies will be built.
Key Takeaways:
- The axial skeleton consists of the skull, spine, rib cage, and pelvis, forming the central pillar of the body.
- Each component can be simplified for drawing: the skull from a sphere, the spine as an S-curve, the rib cage as a barrel, and the pelvis as a bowl or block.
- The spatial relationship between these masses—especially the flexible spine and the gap between the ribs and pelvis—is crucial for creating believable figures.
You've now laid the foundational bone structure of the torso. In the next lesson, we will focus specifically on the spatial relationship between the rib cage and pelvis and how they tilt and twist. This will add a new layer of dynamism to your figures, allowing you to move from static poses to ones full of life and motion.