Drew this for the character illustration manual I\'m working on for this art school I\'m teaching at.

Anyway.

May professionals wayyy better than I am rain curses on me, I don\'t give a a fuck.

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Anyway, no matter what style you draw in, be it \"Western\", \"Manga\", Cartoony, or something you just scraped off the underside of your boot after going through a field with cows in it, knowing anatomy - not necessarily the names (but it does help at times) - will help you a lot- even if what you\'re after is a very simple style... I think. Anyway, here\'re some notes that may be helpful... in case you haven\'t read them in any other artbook.


Note: I am not reading from anything as I am typing this tutorial, so if there are any corrections, feel free to point out. I\'m not sure if my memory is accurate.
Drumroll please....

IMPORTANT MUSCLE GROUPS AND LANDMARKS (front)

Starting from the neck down:

Trapezius- is a hood/diamond shaped muscle that forms the back of the neck, as well as the inner part of the shoulders. It stretches from the something (forgot the number) thoracic vertebra, atop the shoulder blades and down the collarbones in the front. This is what makes Goldberg look like he doesn\'t have a neck.

Sternomastoid- forms the funnel of the neck, joining the sternum to the back of the Jaw. V-shaped. Lies atop the sternohyoid (not labled).

Collarbone/ clavicle- divides the neck from the chest. Assists in the movement of the arm, since it joins the sternum to the scapula (shoulder blade). Action figures do not have moveable collarbones, which kinda sucks.

Deltoid- very important landmark muscle of the upper arm, the bulge that breaks the form from becoming straight. Forms a \"hood\" from the front shoulder to behind.

Pectoralis Major (chest muscle)- triangular (or rather pentagonal) shaped muscle of the chest. Stretches outward from the sternum (breast bone), across the clavicles (collarbone), then twists around the upper part of the humerus (upper arm bone). Controls forward movement of the arm.

Rectus Abdominis (abs) - usually made up of 4 pairs of tiers descending down from the chest to the crotch, but the onedirectly below the chest isn\'t illustrated sometimes for aesthetic purposes- reducing the 8 pack to a six pack. I wish I had a six pack, but all I got is a keg. Beneath the abs lies the digestive organs etc.

External Oblique - lie beside the abs, Starts from the top crest of the hipbone, goes upward, and interlaces with the serratus magnus. Where we develop love handles. When the torso twists, this muscle stretches, giving the torso a more slender appearance. Hence, why models in men\'s magazines often do twisting poses.

Serratus magnus- Lies close to the armpit. If you look at Bruce Lee, he\'s got very defined Serrata. No kidding.

THE ARM

Tricep group- made up of medial, lateral and long head. Forms the back of the upper arm as well as the sides. Covers the elbow.

Biceps- the bulge on the front side of the upper arm, lies atop the brachialis (not labled, sorry).

Supinator longus- one of the most noticeable muscles of the forearm, aids in supination (turning palm downwards)

Flexors- form the upper side of the forearm when prone (palm upwards)

Extensors - form the under side of the forearm when prone.

Damn I hate the forearm muscles... too many... too lazy to discuss each and everyone...

THE LEG

Adductor group- the loins.

Sartorius- the muscle that divides the adductors from the Quadriceps. VERY important landmark.

Quadriceps - made up of the Vastus Medialis (inner side), Rectus Femoris (middle), Vastus lateralis (outer side), and some other vastus thingie I forgot since it isn\'t visible. The two vastus\' that form the side connect to the lower epicondyles of the humerus, around the knee (patella).

Gastrocnemius- important muscle that forms the border of the lower leg. Starts at the back.