Help me how to start to learn anatomy.

[Mane]

I have really hard time with this, how to start to learn anatomy?

I have books and DVDs for it, but they are too hard to understand, too much information and less pictures.


1.They are too complicated to understand.
2. They have way to much texts
3.They are probably for medical student.

Do i need to know everything about human anatomy, if i want to be good modeler?

One guy suggests me this site, BioDigital Human: Explore the Body in 3D!
i don't know if is it good to start, he says that, from that site he learn anatomy, or should stick to the books, even i hate them, with too much texts in one place.



I want very simple book about anatomy, where i can see, skeleton and muscles, with colors, where they start where they move, and how they interact from the surface.

Also, i want to ask you, how do i learn anatomy, i mean do i need every single thing of the body? For example, lets take human skull, i have some pictures collected from internet in all side. Do i need to first learn the names,watch how the skull is structured?

Or should i watch and sculpt at the same time in Zbrush? So i can learn the shape, names and so on, and i can learn Zbrush. Or should i learn first Zbrush?

WoW i am bit confused.

[goldencalf]

it's not necessary to know the names of bones, muscles etc to draw or model them. i suppose it can help though.

if sculpting is your aim i'd first work on getting the general proportions right. i've seen enough artists who can model great anatomical details but fail to make it their characters look convincing since they can't nail the relative sizes and placement of all those details.

for same reason in traditional drawing it is advised to make a simplified sketch first and focus on details only after the general anatomy is established.

[Benjammin]

Just look for anatomy books geared for artists - there's plenty out there. I have one that I've never used (because a thoughful family member got it for me) because characters aren't my thing. I think it was called 'The Artist's Guide to Human Anatomy'. Here, I've googled it for you

I think its one of those subjects that can be quite difficult to learn from books and the web - there's no substitute for life drawing/sculpting classes.

[TheSfid]

Originally Posted by Benjammin

I think its one of those subjects that can be quite difficult to learn from books and the web - there's no substitute for life drawing/sculpting classes.

Definitely agree there. Life drawing or figuring drawing is a great way to learn more about the human form, seeing differences and similarities between body types.

You might be able to sign up for a class at a nearby college (even if you're not enrolled as a student). The school I attended held weekly life drawing classes open to the public $5 for an hour, you just have to provide your own paper and charcoal.

[shuyananahara]

I recommend George Bridgmans Constructive Anatomy this Book is amazing when it comes to simplyfing anatomy.
Vilppus Anatomical DVDs are also great ive learnd alot from them.
But i think its more than just look at pictures and study muscle groups you might want to study muscles in movement. Just to know what a specific muscle looks like doesnt help at all because muscles can deform alot. ^-^
Sounds harder than it is, all you have to do is observe well and ask questions then seek answers.
I wish i could go back in time and just watch Da Vinci while hes on the streets to observe and study. >_<
The most important thing youll have to develop and or keep is obsession. I mean by that obsession with what youre doing cause i think art is not all about the beautiful Paintings and sculptures. I think art is about the obsession to understand the beauty in certain things.
Pictures are representing the artists obsession and in them you can see how he observes and understands the world. sry i did go a little off here