It's important for the artist to understand that one of the main anatomical difference between upright humans and quadruped mammals on all fours is the shape and position of the shoulder blades as outlined in the previous 3 blogs.
Below, is the clay model of a sculpture in progress depicting running horses.
Below, is the clay model of a sculpture in progress depicting running horses.
Unlike humans, a quadruped does not have the skeletal support of a clavicle attached to the scapula and humerus. . .
there is no collarbone [clavicle] attachment to the scapula [shoulder blades] and the scapula is not attached to the ribcage.
The weight of the front end of a quadruped is supported by sliding scapulas and the muscles that surround them.
Birds like mammals are vertebrates, they stand upright like humans, and they have a clavicle.
Birds like mammals are vertebrates, they stand upright like humans, and they have a clavicle.
While the shoulder blades are not attached to the ribcage, the hips are.
The artist should know how the animal's skeleton is structured and how it is designed to function.
and especially for those times when you simply stop seeing the work . . . you know something is wrong, but what?
Measuring can get you back on track but don't forget your first impression of the animal's gesture and action . . .
refer to your drawings or take a picture of the existing work before making too many adjustments and changes.
Note: A great book and resource for the artist is "Animals in Motion" by Eadweard Muybridge; published by Dover.
The artist must sense when to exaggerate or diminish proportions to achieve the illusion of movement.
It's the subject's gesture or movement that the artist must capture.
Don't be afraid to "stretch" a proportion to trick the viewer's eye into seeing what you want them to see!
Don't be afraid to "stretch" a proportion to trick the viewer's eye into seeing what you want them to see!
Caliper restricted and exact measurements can result in the creation of a specimen and leave the realm of art.
Calipers and measuring devices are useful for depicting poses of the animal at ease, for blocking in the start-up,and especially for those times when you simply stop seeing the work . . . you know something is wrong, but what?
Measuring can get you back on track but don't forget your first impression of the animal's gesture and action . . .
refer to your drawings or take a picture of the existing work before making too many adjustments and changes.
Note: A great book and resource for the artist is "Animals in Motion" by Eadweard Muybridge; published by Dover.
Remember, if you know what to look for and where to expect to find it, your art immediately becomes more easily accomplished. Since the bones of a specific species are fixed as to length and restricted as to range of movement,
they can only assume positions that are governed by the laws of mechanics.
The first thing to be aware of is the position of the skeleton. All of this becomes evident if you know
where to locate the scapula (shoulder blade), the humerus, elbow, wrist, pelvis, femur, knee, and the ankle.
Go to the BLOG INDEX and Reference Page for more information. See post #616
Blog, text, photos, drawings, and sculpture . . . © Sandy Scott and Trish
Below, is a link to a credit list of references and resources used for preparing visual images of skeletal anatomy, and structural data for the instructional portion of this blog. This material is meant to be used for teaching information and studio reference. Not included in the link is "Zoobooks" which is an excellent artist's resource. Additional sources will be noted when used in upcoming blogs.
Link to post #616
Below, is a link to a credit list of references and resources used for preparing visual images of skeletal anatomy, and structural data for the instructional portion of this blog. This material is meant to be used for teaching information and studio reference. Not included in the link is "Zoobooks" which is an excellent artist's resource. Additional sources will be noted when used in upcoming blogs.
Link to post #616
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