I'm happy that this topic was so popular as it is often an area that is greatly overlooked ( even by me sometimes :/ ). The fact that it is already on your radar, shows that you are really exploring and working to problem solve your gesture practice.
In this video I give an overview of:
skeletal and muscular anatomy
the range of motion of the neck
simplification of what we see
applying the above to our gesture process
examples of drawing the neck from different angles
ANATOMY
Skeleton:
Cranium
Mandible
Cervical Vertebrae
Scapula
Clavicle
MUSCLES
Trapezius
Sternocleidomastoid
"At first, the study of the heads should be in the abstract, that is, we should forget everything that distinguishes one head from another and think of the masses common to all heads.”
- Bridgman
Walt Stanchfield Approach:
George Bridgman Approach:
Michael Hampton Approach:
Examples:
Demonstration:
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Hopefully, you found some new ways of thinking about the neck and head and how they connect to the rest of the gesture.
Practice all the techniques shown and then keep what works for you and leave what doesn't. Make it your own! The most important thing is that is connects with the rest of your pose to tell your story and that it looks believable. We're not going for perfection or accuracy here.
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What was your favourite technique?
Is there an angle you always struggle with that wasn't covered? Send me a message and I'll do an example for you.
Good luck with your gestures this week!
Stay tuned later this week for the December Calendar as well as some Patreon News on December 1st!
- GG
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Books:
Bridgman's Complete Guide to Drawing from Life - George Bridgman
Atlas of Human Anatomy for the Artist - Stephen Peck
Anatomy for the Artist - Sarah Simblet
Figure Drawing Design and Invention - Michael Hampton
Vilppu Drawing Manual - Glenn Vilppu.
**Drawn to Life Vol. One - Walt Stanchfield** highly recommend
