Anatomy Track
“The human body is first and foremost a mirror to the soul.”
Auguste Rodin
The Anatomy Track provides a breadth of knowledge in artistic anatomy for application in one’s own artwork or to inform college-level teaching. It may be taken in addition to the required concentration in drawing, painting or sculpture. Three distinct approaches make up the artistic anatomy program: Structural Anatomy entails the study of the skeleton, muscular structures, groupings, and kinesthetic functions; Anatomical Drawing combines lectures with perceptual drawing; Écorché involves the sculpting of an anatomical model built out from the skeleton to the muscle masses. Special electives in Animal Anatomy and other topics vary and are offered each year. Four courses (12 credits) are needed to fulfill track requirements.
Anatomy Track Curriculum
Year 1 Fall Semester
This course provides instruction with perceptual and conceptual methodologies to construct the human figure in two or three dimensions from the model or from memory. It begins by examining the body’s skeletal structure through the study of the mechanics of motion, surface form and human anatomy. The instructor emphasizes the proportions of the, the major body masses and their kinesthetic potential. Students construct simplified male and female figures in plastilene, first conceived as an architectonic ordering and then refined into more naturalistic forms.
3 credits
Core Learning Outcomes (50% of grading criteria)
- The holistic understanding of the structure of the body in the form of a basic ecorche, linear and volumetric proportions
- The ability to identify subcutaneous skeletal landmarks on the live model
- The understanding of the angular relationships of the primary axial and appendicular volumes of the body from multiple viewing points to be able to identify gesture and center of gravity
- The ability to draw and sculpturally model a standing, seated or reclining figure from memory
This two-semester course begins with the construction of a proportionally accurate, highly detailed representation of the complete skeleton at one-half scale. During the Fall semester, muscular structures and their groupings are modeled, in sequence from deep to superficial. Both the fall and spring semesters will include three-hour weekly detailed lectures and hands on instruction. The spring semester will continue with the further development of the most superior muscular structures, their groupings, description of kinesthetic function and its effect upon surface form. During the spring semester, concurrent with the final development of the structural representations presented by the Ecorche; a perceptually developed sculpture, at 36 inches, from the live model, in the same pose as the Ecorche, will be completed.
3 credits
Core Learning Outcomes
- The understanding that of the osteology determines the linear proportions of the limbs, as well as the volumetric proportions of the three monumental forms of the body, head, torso and pelvis
- A comprehensive understanding of interior and superficial musculo-skeletal structures and their effect on the kinesthetic character of surface appearance of form
- The ability to convert observed anatomical knowledge into sculptural convention
- The ability to work collectively from perception and memory
Year 1 Spring
Semester
The goal of this course is to improve the student’s powers of observation by providing a basic understanding of the human body’s underlying structures and to develop strategies for representing volumetric forms in two-dimensions. Emphasis is placed on osteology; the origin, insertion, and function of muscles; and their relationship to surface form and proportion. Focus is also placed upon the varieties of human form as represented by artists both historical and contemporary.
3 credits
Core Learning Outcomes
- The ability to establish the proportions of the body, both linear and volumetric, in an architectonic format. With the basic light source and shadow mass established
- The ability to structurally organize a drawing with a schematic mapping of superficial anatomical structures
- The ability to distinguish between a silhouette and a three-dimensionally considered contour
- The ability to compose the interior forms within the larger context of the drawing
This two-semester course begins with the construction of a proportionally accurate, highly detailed representation of the complete skeleton at one-half scale. During the Fall semester, muscular structures and their groupings are modeled, in sequence from deep to superficial. Both the fall and spring semesters will include three-hour weekly detailed lectures and hands on instruction. The spring semester will continue with the further development of the most superior muscular structures, their groupings, description of kinesthetic function and its effect upon surface form. During the spring semester, concurrent with the final development of the structural representations presented by the Ecorche; a perceptually developed sculpture, at 36 inches, from the live model, in the same pose as the Ecorche, will be completed.
3 credits
Core Learning Outcomes
- The understanding that of the osteology determines the linear proportions of the limbs, as well as the volumetric proportions of the three monumental forms of the body, head, torso and pelvis
- A comprehensive understanding of interior and superficial musculo-skeletal structures and their effect on the kinesthetic character of surface appearance of form
- The ability to convert observed anatomical knowledge into sculptural convention
- The ability to work collectively from perception and memory
Qualifying Elective Options
This course offers in-depth analysis of the bones and musculature of the head, neck, and arm in full-scale. Referencing the live model, plaster casts and photographs of human dissections, and anatomical diagrams, a comprehensive understanding of the mass relationships, proportions and functional significance of observed form is thoroughly examined.
3 credits
Core Learning Outcomes
- The ability to model the anatomical structures head, face, neck; and arm and hand in full-scale
- An advanced understanding of complex mechanical relationships of skeletal muscle, tendon, ligament and bone
- A comprehensive understanding of the structures of the skull and muscles of facial expression
Building upon the foundational knowledge of human anatomy, Comparative Anatomy studies the differences and commonalities of human and animal anatomy and physiology. This course commences with the construction of a 22-inch equine or canine ecorché to study of quadruped musculo-skeletal systems, animal movement and mechanics. Upon this foundation, other species are studied through drawing, and sculpting live and preserved specimens.
3 credits
Core Learning Outcomes
- A practical understanding of the similarities of anatomical structures within mammalian and avian species
- An in-depth understanding of homologous and analogous structures of human and animal anatomy
- Ability visualize the complete skeleton in numerous species by identifying subcutaneous skeletal landmarks
- In depth awareness and appreciation of commonalities of structural design in living and extinct species
- Develop a practical vocabulary of proportions, actions, and articulations of multiple species
- Develop a tactile understanding of the relationship between anatomical form and aesthetic considerations of texture, point, line, shape and color
This course focuses on developing an advanced, practical understanding of anatomy through the direct study of dissected cadavers and anatomical specimens. The class examines the human body from the standpoint that form is dictated by function to explore the integrated relationship of kinestheology, physiology, and morphology and to develop a practical understanding of how anatomy influences proportion, gesture, perspective, and the effects of light on form. This course combines in depth lecture/demonstrations and drawing sessions to study the structures of the human body from superficial to progressively deeper examinations of muscle, skeleton, and connective tissue.
3 credits
Core Learning Outcomes
- The ability to identify all major aspects of the musculo-skeletal system
- The ability to use multiple approaches to drawing (both schematic and naturalistic) to study and describe anatomical structures in a clear and coherent manner
- An in-depth understanding of the relationship that form, location, and structural characteristics have upon the body’s functional capabilities
- A comprehensive understanding of locomotion, gait and gesture
- Understanding secondary sexual characteristics present in the human skeleton, musculature and superficial structures
- Develop practical strategies to apply anatomical knowledge to drawing the human figure from life, reference, memory and imagination
For millennia, we humans have used anatomy, this extreme act of self-investigation, to direct an inward-looking gaze and interpret our innards through the lenses of science, philosophy, religion, digging and cutting, looking for answers, meanings, aruspici. These thousands of years of “cutting of the self” have produced innumerable interpretations of our contents that have been explained and illustrated with an infinite number of images in a myriad of ways. The Human Body is the quintessential Promethean entity: it changes with light or shadow, with age, illness, or health, with culture, science or mood, it’s the infinite subject that carries the genetic and cultural information necessary to replicate and project itself in time, making it the most enduring, shifting signifier.
3 Credits
Drawing Faculty
Nina Levy
Adjunct Faculty
Wade Schuman
Director · Painting
Michael Grimaldi
Director · Drawing
Perla Michaels
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