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.
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Raquel M. Varela
Raquel is inspired by magic, fantasy and fairy tales. She loves designing female characters from distant worlds. \"My greatest reference is Loish's art, thanks to her I learned to draw the movement and fluidity I like to convey.\"
Estrela Lourenço
Estrela is a children's book author and illustrator. Her work is influenced by her background in character animation and storyboards for clients such as Cartoon Network, and she channels comic strips like Calvin and Hobbes.
Daria Widermanska
Daria, also known as Anako, has been drawing for as long as she can remember. Inspired by Disney and classic anime, she loves creating new characters and often finds that a single sketch can spark a unique story.
Allen Douglas
Allen has been painting professionally since 1994 for the publishing and gaming industries. Inspired by folklore, he distorts the size, relationships and environments of animals, and calls his paintings 'unusual wildlife'.
Thaddeus Robeck
Thaddeus has been drawing from the moment he could hold a pencil, but it was the 2020 lockdowns that gave him the time to focus on honing his skills.
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