Course Overview : 

Welcome To EarthTab Business School. My Name Is Finn Smit And I Will Be Your Course Preceptor For The Course, Figure Drawing And Anatomy.

"Figure Drawing and Anatomy" is a master-level course designed for aspiring and professional artists, illustrators, character designers, animators, and visual storytellers who seek a deep and practical command of the human form. This course goes far beyond basic life drawing; it dives into the mechanical, structural, and expressive components of the human body connecting anatomical knowledge with artistic execution.

This course integrates technical anatomical study, dynamic figure construction, and aesthetic observation to empower you to confidently draw the human body in any pose, from imagination or life, across a variety of artistic disciplines such as fine art, animation, fashion illustration, medical illustration, gaming, and concept design.

The curriculum is constructed to develop fluency in both academic accuracy and expressive abstraction, combining centuries-old classical drawing techniques with modern sketching, gestural drawing, and imaginative posing. It includes deep analysis of skeletal landmarks, surface muscles, rhythm lines, figure balance, proportion systems (e.g., Loomis, Bridgman, Reilly Method), and complex postural relationships.

You will begin with the simplest concepts of gesture, rhythm, and proportion, and gradually progress toward the mastery of advanced anatomical rendering, foreshortening, dynamic perspective, and figure invention. They will also explore gender, age, and ethnic variation, understand stylization vs realism, and develop visual storytelling through posture, balance, and tension.

The course includes visual breakdowns, life-drawing assignments, structural diagrams, comparative anatomy studies, critical review of classical and modern figure masters, and weekly sketch drills to reinforce anatomical memory.

By the end of the course, you will have developed:

• An internalized understanding of human anatomy from both skeletal and muscular perspectives
  
  

• Technical drawing skill to recreate human figures with anatomical accuracy and artistic fluidity
  
  

• The ability to draw realistic or stylized figures in motion and in context
  
  

• A complete figure drawing portfolio with diverse poses, angles, characters, and expressive anatomy
  
  

Key Learning Objectives 

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

1. Interpret and apply proportion systems (Loomis, idealized canons, and real-life variation) to construct male and female figures at rest and in motion.
   
   

2. Analyze and draw the skeleton as the foundation of gesture, support, movement, and alignment; recognize key bony landmarks and their significance to surface form.
   
   

3. Understand surface anatomy, including muscular groups, their function, origin/insertion, and visibility under different skin tones and body fat levels.
   
   

4. Practice high-speed gesture drawing to capture the action and intention of the figure in as little as 30 seconds, developing rhythm and storytelling ability.
   
   

5. Construct 3D figure forms using cylinders, boxes, and spheres to rotate and draw figures from multiple viewpoints and dynamic perspectives.
   
   

6. Draw foreshortened figures convincingly using accurate perspective techniques and overlapping volumes to suggest depth and realism.
   
   

7. Create expressive figure drawings that balance accuracy and stylization, showing mood, attitude, weight, and narrative intention.
   
   

8. Master anatomical regions independently including hands, feet, skull, rib cage, pelvis, spine, shoulders, and joints before integrating into full-body sketches.
   
   

9. Design character sheets or sequential poses for illustration, animation, or concept art projects.
   
   

10. Critically evaluate figure work through self-assessment and peer review, identifying anatomical errors and refining draftsmanship.
    
    

Theoretical Foundations Covered

• Classical anatomy (based on historical studies by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Bridgman, Hale, Peck)
  
  

• Comparative anatomy (animal vs human)
  
  

• Gesture theory and visual rhythm
  
  

• Proportion systems across history and cultures
  
  

• Art movement interpretations of the figure (Baroque dynamism, Impressionist gesture, etc.)
  
  

• Stylization strategies in animation, manga, and graphic novels
  
  

• Psychological expression through posture and body language
  
  

Practical Techniques Covered

• Gesture drawing (30 sec, 1 min, 5 min poses)
  
  

• Structural drawing (mannequinization, simplified forms)
  
  

• Muscle rendering (form-following-shading and volume design)
  
  

• Contour drawing and cross-contour analysis
  
  

• Foreshortening using wireframe and mass techniques
  
  

• Volume and negative space analysis
  
  

• Dynamic posing and visual storytelling
  
  

• Action lines and weight distribution
  
  

• Drawing from reference, imagination, and real-time models
  
  

Tools and Media Covered

• Graphite, charcoal, conte crayon, and ink
  
  

• Digital sketching tools (e.g., Procreate, Clip Studio Paint, Photoshop)
  
  

• Anatomical reference models (e.g., 3D software, physical figurines)
  
  

• Grids, vanishing point overlays, skeleton overlays, and perspective guides
  
  

Assignments and Projects

• Daily gesture drills (30-second to 2-minute poses)
  
  

• Weekly anatomical breakdowns (skeleton + muscle groups)
  
  

• Perspective-based figure construction
  
  

• Master copy studies (Renaissance, Modern, Comic/Manga)
  
  

• Foreshortening composition (multi figure pose with spatial tension)
  
  

• Final portfolio project: A series of full-figure drawings that demonstrate anatomical understanding, gesture fluency, and artistic style, from multiple angles and movement types
  
  

Assessment Method

• End-of-module quizzes (multiple choice + drawing-based)
  
  

• Weekly sketchbook submissions and review
  
  

• Instructor feedback on anatomical accuracy and fluidity
  
  

• Final project portfolio presentation and critique
  
  

Course Outcome and Certification

Upon successful completion, you will receive a Certificate in Advanced Figure Drawing and Anatomy with an evaluation report. They will have a professional-level figure drawing portfolio suitable for:

• Art school admissions
  
  

• Game and character design portfolios
  
  

• Animation studios
  
  

• Medical or scientific illustration
  
  

• Personal or professional practice
  
  

I Look Forward To Congratulating You Upon Completion Of This Course