Anatomy quick tips - HOW TO STUDY THE BACK MUSCLES

CHARLIE PICKARD continues his ten-part series of quick tips on anatomy; this month, in the final instalment, he explores a few structural notes on the back

- CHARLIE PICKARD

The back of the torso in figure drawing is often viewed as one of, if not the most difficult and complex area of the body to depict and learn. This is not without good reason; the back reveals and hides many of its structures depending on the body fat present in the model, the level of muscular development and even the position of the pose! At times, learning this structure can seem overwhelming to students.

However, if we take a structured approach to learning the many forms that create the back and break down the problem into easy-to-grasp, learnable chunks, we can approach it with confidence.

The first thing that will help us in this endeavour is to understand the reason for this complexity. As with all areas of the human form, the shapes of the back are created by its function. The more complex the function, the more complex the muscles required.

The main functions of the back are twofold. Firstly, it holds us upright. This is one of the special features of the human animal and it requires large, strong muscles.

The second function (and the reason for the complexity), is to allow as much movement of the arm as possible. To allow for this function, we have a free moving scapula. Meaning, unlike other joints in the human body, the scapula doesn't move within a static joint. It shifts across the ribcage, which is actually the reason for most of the movement of the arm. Try to move your arm without moving this bone and you will immediately understand its necessity. The various movements of this bone across the ribcage accounts for much of the back's complexity. The back is truly a marvel of organic engineering and the following are a few notes on the study of this beautiful form.

1 Boney landmarks 

As with all of the body parts that we have looked at so far, any study of the back must begin with a fundamental understanding of the boney landmarks on its surface.