Steem Cartoon : Getting the Human Figure Right

Human body can be quite complex and intriguing. There is always more to drawing than just putting the mouth, eyes and nose. One has to understand how the body moves and how the human anatomy works. For instance, the proportion of a child is different from that of an adult. A child would have a bigger head to body ratio and an adult will have a smaller ratio.

Class Introduction

It started with me giving a basic introduction to the type of work that we will be doing for this session. The students are given their objective and task to be completed for the session.

Then the class proceeded with the lecture and demonstration by Mr. Hanafiah, the lecturer in charge of teaching human anatomy.

They students were being told of the importance of proportioning their drawing according to the normal human body ratio. Drawing could be tough if small and the students are asked to enlarge the drawing so that proper proportion can be made out.

Just like how houses are made out of blue prints and basic structures. Human body apart from the flesh would be the skeletons that shape the anatomy of a human body.

It is not a science class but we have a human skeleton specifically catered for our art students.

It doesn't really matter if the skeleton is a male or female skeleton. But the basic shape and movement must be right. There are certain angle that the skeleton cannot make and that must not be in a drawing because it is anatomically impossible.

One of the good thing about technology is being able to capture everything in the handphone. Students can slowly study the different parts from the collar bone to the ulna, radius, humerus, tibia and fibula. As I type this, I feel like I am teaching a medical course.

The students are required to study the angles in every bodily movement.

Then the drawing starts.

Teaching does not merely involve telling the students what we want them to know. They must also be able to clarify and tell us what they think. So there is a healthy exchange of discussion.

Most of the students are unable to finish on time, so we allow them to complete the work at home.

I always stress to my students that every single drawing whether we want to change the subject in terms of proportions or angles, we must have our basics right so that the drawing remains realistic and believable. I am quite happy with the healthy interaction and this is often the case when the students take an interest in the subject. You know, life can be pretty dull when you are ask to draw, observe and talk about a skeleton.

Then of course, this guy came into my mind...