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How to learn basic anatomy quickly

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Hello.
I'm aware that this sort of topic might have been asked for in the past, but i might have a slightly different perspective on the matter.

I work as a motion graphics designer, and sometimes i like to produce animated illustrations such as the last one i uploaded here on newgrounds (http://www.newgrounds.com/art/view/orangewedge/cat-lover-s-psychedelic-dream).

Fortunately i have specialised in a style which usually doesn't require a particular knowledge of the human anatomy, but sometimes i still like to depict human beings (while still retaining my cartoony style) and i always have trouble with non-frontal perspectives.

My current skills allow me to keep working and pursue my passion, and i don't want to become a professional drawer or some sort of a new "Michelangelo", but i'd like to know if you have any suggestions for a quick and easy way to learn basic anatomy and most importantly how to draw the human figure in perspective.

As stated earlier i don't have the time to pursue some deep studies on the matter and, quite frankly, i don't need the specific knowledge of every single detail about the human figure, so a book or a course on youtube will suffice for my needs.

Now i'll give you an example:

Some time ago i produced the illustration i attached to the project (which at this point is still unfinished).
Sure, not my best work, but i kinda like the idea and the whole composition.
That said, you'll probably be able to see that i had some trouble with the character.

I like the design of the character itself but there's something wrong with the pose, but i can't figure out what.
I'd simply like to learn the basics to depict these positions a little bit better in the future.

Huge thanks.

How to learn basic anatomy quickly


BBS Signature

Honestly... there IS no quick and easy way to learn anatomy. You either have to take time aside and study it from a reference, or take years figuring it out on your own (and it still not being correct).
I was in the same dilemma as you (and still am kinda, since I don't spend enough time studying), but doing that really made everything much easier and also faster. I'd recommend, if you're still in school, to practice in class if you have free time to do so. It kills time so that you're not bored, yet also allows you not to waste your own free time since you're in school.
Also a small trick is to try and see body parts as 3D shapes since it makes it so much easier to understand space and piece everything together. .w.


Art Thread, Animation Thread

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BBS Signature

At 5/12/17 03:30 PM, Oddlem wrote: Honestly... there IS no quick and easy way to learn anatomy. You either have to take time aside and study it from a reference, or take years figuring it out on your own (and it still not being correct).
I was in the same dilemma as you (and still am kinda, since I don't spend enough time studying), but doing that really made everything much easier and also faster. I'd recommend, if you're still in school, to practice in class if you have free time to do so. It kills time so that you're not bored, yet also allows you not to waste your own free time since you're in school.
Also a small trick is to try and see body parts as 3D shapes since it makes it so much easier to understand space and piece everything together. .w.

Im not in school anymore. (considering i'm in my mid 20s that's a good thing ;D)
I have to work, so i don't have as much time to learn as a student.

I'll still wait for other suggestions, but i'm starting to think i'll have to find some real time to learn anatomy the hard way.
That said i still believe there's a middle ground between learning anatomy on a "amateur-mid" level and professionally.

Thank you for your input, regardless :)

It's true what they said, one life is not enough to learn it all; i spent years studying motion design and After Effects animation and i'd love to study anatomy, but i might not be able to do so.


BBS Signature

Response to How to learn basic anatomy quickly 2017-05-13 00:27:02


At 5/12/17 03:15 PM, OrangeWedge wrote: Hello.
I'm aware that this sort of topic might have been asked for in the past, but i might have a slightly different perspective on the matter.

Well, anatomy's a bitch. I used the Design Doll app as a reference.


Time to bust a move and get it started. Time's wastin'.

-Mace 2.0


I think what you want to learn is more about proper proportions.

Just look at yourself in the mirror and figure out the measurements of your own limbs by simply just observing.

A person's foot is roughly the same length as the forearm. You can elbow yourself in he side in the space between your ribcage and pelvis. Your heel can kick yourself in the butt.

Once limitations of the body are understood you can take liberties in altering the sizes of body parts to give a more uniqueness to a character.

Response to How to learn basic anatomy quickly 2017-05-14 02:11:17


Just like Cairos said - the best way to get a good understanding is looking at yourself. When I was going through this stage I did a lot of life drawing, go out and about - or even family and friends if you're more comfortable doing that - and sketch out individuals doing a verity of things.

Go from really quick sketches to 5 minutes, 10, 15 and then try 30 minutes on each page. Go into a café/food court and observe people, see how their limbs fold - it's even a great way to study hair and clothing folds! (fun fact, I learned more about ears in a café because a bold guy sat before me with his back turned and you could see how the tissue was connected to his head - I sketched that bitch out on the back of a receipt!)

Once you have a good understanding of realist proportions abstract art will become easier and more pleasing to the eye, keep going!
Just live for learning anatomy, seems silly but when you turn a tap pay good close attention to how your hand grips it, which muscles tense, ect ect. It's all about observation :) Best of luck!


- I do not wish to hurt you, just merely torture you -

BBS Signature

There is no quick way of learning. What I recommend is checking out gnomon lectures online and look into things like artbooks. None of that Mark Crilly "Learn how to draw anime girls" bullshit, rather actual artbooks. Another thing I recommend is to forget about having an art style for a bit and study the human figure and poses. Having to worry about keeping a consistent art style or trying to make poses "work" with your style while learning will be the biggest pain in the ass. Even if you're going for a more simplisitic, cartoony style, learning this may help you out in the longrun.

Wishing you the best of luck!


k

Response to How to learn basic anatomy quickly 2017-05-15 09:06:51


Welp, I know you've got enough replies to go by here, but I might be able to help, considerably.

I've been a lazy ass in regards of getting better at drawing, I went to animation university, and focused myself on 3d, while making 2d animation a side thing, studying yes, but barely. That was the past though, I got better. But still, this method might help.
So to make up for my lack of time, I quickly learned geometry and anatomy in like a single year. Basically, break down the human figure in basic shapes, and then put those basic shapes under 2 point perspective, whenever you need to. As for anatomy, by using references, figure out which muscles go with which basic shapes you made of the body.
The most difficult part of this,, is to think in 3 dimensions, you're not drawing a circle, you're drawing a sphere, never think of those faces and bodies you draw as flat things, it helps you position those joints and eyes better.

That said however, learning anatomy is easy. But there's something you'll never get used to quicly, and that is getting used to it, some sort of brain/muscle memory going on. So yeah, in that aspect, you're kinda screwed.

I might post some of the basic shapes I did back in the day, if you need them.

Then again, I'd not recomend this method, but it looks like you're not interested in becoming a drawing master in the first place, so eh...