Amy's Life Drawing Blog

Clay Building Reflection

In class after correcting a few pieces I decided to start over. I really wanted to have accurate size and direction on the pieces that would be a base for the rest of the semester. I didn't have much of a problem following the attachments but my interpretation wasn't quite correct. I dealt with the frustration by trying to emulate Professor Fitcher's model. I feel that I learn best by seeing and creating rather than reading directions and creating.

Some of the small details like the twist in the Longissimus grouping of muscles was really hard to create with just my fingers. I attempted using my tools to shave off some clay and push pieces together with the handle of the tools. The clay was difficult at times but with practice any of the shapes are possible to create.

When using the guides, I mainly followed the attachments and pre-cut a similar looking shape to the picture. Next, I pushed the clay to the model and tried to maneuver it to the correct direction and shape. Rounding, twisting, and indenting was very time consuming and repetitive.

On future assignments for the clay model I think I'll try and look at the big picture of the muscles around the pieces. I think the physical relationship between muscles and bones will help me develop a better understanding. Also, seeing other sources and pictures of the muscle arrangement will prepare me for building these groupings.

Some tips for others with the clay is the try and be accurate instead of quick. By trying to just get all the pieces together and on won't be beneficial. Having a few really accurate and nicely done muscles is easier to work from rather than starting over from something you did too fast.

Another tip would be to work the clay and blend it to be smooth once on the model. By warming it up it moves easier and more flexible. Trying to smooth it out once on the model is helpful too because it can be curved and look more realistic.

This clay activity will assist me in drawing in the future because I will be able to place muscle over my egg and pelvic area. I still feel a little like I'm drawing gesture stick people and I'd like to extend into bones and muscles. This knowledge of muscle groups, placements, and layering will allow me to place them on the live model for future drawings.

The Man

#1. Back 3/4 View

Spinalis group

Longissimus group

Iliocostalis group

Obliquus externus abdominis

Quadratus lumborum

#2. Front 3/4 View

Longissimus Capitis- extends, laterally flexes the head and cervical vertebrae. Rotates the head to the opposite side.

attatchements: cranial dorsal mastoid process, caudal transverse processes of vertebrae C4 to T5

Longissimus Cervicis- extends laterally flexes the cervical vertebrae,

attatchments: cranial transverse processes of vertebrae C2 to C6, caudal transverse processes of vertebrae T1 to T5

Obliquus externus abdominis-flexes the lumbar vertebrae, compresses the abdomen; opposite side rotator of the thoracic vertebrae

attachments: axial outer surfaces of ribs 5 to 12, interdigitating with the Serratus anterior; linea alba, pelvic, illiac crest, inguinal ligament

Rectus abdominis- flexes the lumbar vertebrae, helps depress the ribs and compress the abdomen in forced expiration

attachments: axial external surfaces of cartilages of ribs 5 to 7, xiphoid process, pelvic, pubic symphysis and crest

#3. Back View

Spinalis cervicis- extends the cervical vertebrae

attachments: cranial spinous processes of vertebrae C2 to C4, caudal spinous processes of vertebrae C7 to T2

Spinalis capitis- extends the cervical vertebrae and head; laterally flexes and rotates the head.

attachments: cranial medial occipital bone between superior and inferior nuchal lines, caudal spinous processes of vertebrae C7 to T1

Spinalis thoracis- extends the upper lumbar vertebrae and derotates the thoracic vertebrae

Longissimus Capitus/ Cervicis - (in picture #2)

Longissimus Thoracis- extends and laterally flexes the lumbar vertebrae. Rotator of the thoracic vertebrae

attachments: cranial transverse processes of vertebrae T1 to T12, ribs 3 to 12 proximal to costal angles, caudal transverse processes of vertebrae L1 to L5, the quadratus lumborum fascia and the lumbodorsal fascia

Iliocostalis Cervis- extends and laterally flexes the cervical vertebrae

attachments: cranial posterior tubercles of the transverse processes of vertebrae C4 - C6, caudal angles of ribs 3 to 6

Iliocostalis Thoracis-rotates thoracic vertebrae to the same side

attachments: cranial angles to ribs 1 to 6, caudal ribs 7 to 12 medial to costal angles

Iliocostalis Lumborum- extends and laterally flexes the lumbar vertebrae, same side rotator of the lower thoracic vertebrae

attachments: axial angles of ribs 7 to 12, lubodorsal fascia, pelvic medial iliac crest

#4. Front View

Obliquus externus abdominis (explained above)

Rectus abdominis

Reflection on Pelvis Tracing

The pelvis area was more difficult for me to find on the scans. Because these bones lie within the skin and muscle it's hard to differentiate angles and direction sometimes. Using the tracing method on already established pieces of art is helpful though especially because they're proportionate and detailed.