Anatomy of the Face – Melinda Whitmore

Salepage link: At HERE. Archive: https://archive.is/wip/czbdG

Our Introductory Anatomy Course at Vitruvian Studio

Anatomical study has been a staple of artistic training for centuries. As far back as the Renaissance, artists were encouraged to learn about the muscles and bones so that their representations of the human figure might be more descriptive and convincing.

By the 19th century, the French word écorché (ay-kor-shay) – meaning “flayed” – referred to drawings or sculptures of the figure where the muscles and bones are exposed. These weren’t always intended to be works of art in their own right, but were often a way to study – through drawing or sculpting, artists could learn about the anatomical structures responsible for the forms we see, and gain greater confidence in depicting the human figure.

Today, écorché remains the preferred means of anatomical study at many art schools and ateliers. Sculptural – or 3-dimensional écorché – is particularly valued because it requires students to consider anatomical structures in the round. Making a sculpture requires each artist to consider multiple points of view, and so offers a study experience equal to that of many, many of drawings.

Anatomy of the Face is our introductory écorché course at Vitruvian Studio. Starting with a plastic skull, students gain experience with the écorché process by laying on muscle forms one at a time with oil-based clay. Each muscle is isolated and developed independently, and clear information about origin, insertion, action and surface form is presented along the way. As with all our online courses, the video demonstration is sequential and proceeds in real time so students have an opportunity to develop their own écorché model along with the instructor.

It is important to proceed in the order the material is presented. Many of the facial muscles overlap one another, and it can be tricky to add muscle forms that lie underneath structures already sculpted.

The video demonstration is complete – I sculpt each and every muscle from start to finish – with nothing left out – so that students can easily follow along with their own sculptures. Diagrams and 3D animations are also included, to clearly convey relevant structural information about each muscle as it’s covered. Students will also have access to handy PDF files, ready to download and print, so that key information can be accessed in hard copy while sculpting.

By the end of the course, students will have their very own head écorché as a reference, and you will possess a greater understanding of structure that is relevant to portraiture in all media.

Here’s What You’ll Get Instant Access To:

• 3 Step-by-Step Modules containing 19 lessons with over 5 hours of video content – every step is recorded.
• Complete demonstration of the écorché process
• Diagrams and animations to illustrate key concepts
• Downloadable PDF Guide
• Lifetime Access to the Course — Go At Your Own Pace
• Free Lifetime Updates
• Question & Answer threads on each lesson page

Suggested Items:

This course guides you through the process of building your own anatomical reference model. As such, some basic materials are required for you to complete the course work.

A full materials list is available in the course if you prefer to do your own shopping, but we also offer a kit that contains everything you need!

COURSE CONTENT

Module 1 – Introduction

• 1.1 – Introduction to Anatomy of the Face
• 1.2 – Materials for Anatomy of the Face

Module 2 – The Bones

• 2.1 – The Bones of the Skull
• 2.2 – Facial Structures & Landmarks
• 2.3 – Getting Started With Clay

Module 3 – The Muscles

• 3.1 – Frontalis
• 3.2 – Temporalis
• 3.3 – Buccinator
• 3.4 – Masseter
• 3.5 – Procerus
• 3.6 – Nasalis
• 3.7 – Dilator Naris
• 3.8 – L.L.S.A.N.
• 3.9 – The Cheek
• 3.10 – The Ear
• 3.11 – The Mouth
• 3.12 – The Depressors
• 3.13 – The Eye
• 3.14 – Finishing the Écorché