One Semester (Block): One Credit

Degree of Difficulty: Regular

Prerequisite: None

Homework: Average

The study of human anatomy is more than the naming of parts and understanding their function; it is the celebration of our physicality in the world. The biological complexity of the body can be weighed against its aesthetic beauty, and drawing is one important tool for revealing such knowledge. A study of relationships between bone, muscle, nerve and blood will lay the foundation of understanding the complexities of the human body. Throughout history artists such as Leonardo da Vinci studied anatomy because they realized that in order to understand proportions and movements of the human body completely, they had to understand what went on underneath, namely the skeleton, joints and muscles. The awareness of the body's structure enhances one's perceptions and improves the eye for form and detail. In this class, students will attain a sense of achievement and excitement with the study of structure, function of the various specialized systems of the human body; understand complex body movements; accurately represent the human body structure on paper; and express the human form in a creative visual manner. Drawing skills will be introduced, with emphasis on observation and the use of line to express form. Students will undertake a system-by-system examination of the human body. Drawings will be completed of each of the systems, as each relates to the body as a whole. Photos of each student will be used as guides to drawing specific bones, muscles.

Textbook: Anatomy for the Artist, A Comprehensive Guide to drawing the Human Body, By Daniel Carter and Michael Courtney