Artist's Guide to Human Anatomy

This invaluable addition to Civardi's highly regarded collection of instructional art books illustrates and describes the importance of understanding the inner workings of the human body, to the theory of composing accurate life drawings with pencil and paper.

Begin by discovering the journey artists have taken through the centuries to accurately delineate the human figure. Learn and understand how our bones and muscles play their roles in our shapes, gestures and movement. Every essential aspect of anatomy is supported by photographs and diagrams, along with beautifully drawn examples by the artist.

This comprehensive manual offers the perfect introduction and reference guide to drawing the human form, whether you are an experienced artist or a practised student studying the art of life drawing.

Book Contents

Preface to the fourth edition 7
Preface to the first edition 9

General information about the study of anatomy 11
Definition of anatomy 11
Anatomy and art: historical notes 11
The morphological method 14
Concepts of normality and variation 15
Anatomical topography and terminology 16
Evolution, race, constitutional types, sexual dimorphism 22
Notes on the macroscopic structure 30
Notes on the microscopic structure 32
General information about the shape of the human body 33
General information about the proportions of the human body 34
The historical development of proportional canons 37

Anatomy of the locomotor system: general information 42
The skeletal component: osteology 42
The articular component: arthrology 51
The muscular component: myology 54
Bone and muscle reference points on the nude body 66
The integumentary system 66
Superficial veins 68
Subcutaneous adipose tissue 68

SYSTEMATIC SURFACE ANATOMY OF THE LOCOMOTOR SYSTEM
Introduction 72
The head 75
- Notes on external morphology 75
- Osteology 77
- Arthrology 88
- Myology 89
- Head muscles of interest for artistic representation 91
- The eye 100
- The nose 102
- The lips 103
- The ear 104
- The function of facial muscles in expressions 106
The trunk 109
- Notes on external morphology 109
The spine 112
- Osteology 112
- Arthrology 114
- Myology 117
The neck 118
- Osteology 118
- Arthrology 118
The chest 119
- Osteology 119
- Arthrology 120
The abdomen 123
- Osteology 123
- Arthrology 123
- Myology 124
- Trunk muscles of interest for artistic representation 132
- The neck 159
- The shoulder 161
- The armpit 162
- The breast 163
- The navel 165
- The external genital organs 165
- The buttock 166
The upper limbs 168
- Notes on external morphology 168
- Osteology 169
- Arthrology 172
- Myology 174
- Muscles of the upper limbof interest for artistic representation 181
- The arm 196
- The elbow 197
- The forearm 198
- The wrist 199
- The hand 200
The lower limbs 203
- Notes on external morphology 203
- Osteology 205
- Arthrology 208
- Myology 209
- Muscles of the lower limb of interest for artistic representation 218
- The thigh 232
- The knee 233
- The leg 234
- The ankle 235
- The foot 236

APPENDIX
Anatomy and drawing: from structure to shape 240
Notes on static and dynamic dimensions of the human body 242
Bibliography 250
Anatomical index 252