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Description
[link] - Part 1 : Identifying Bone Structure That Forms the Framework of the Body
[link] - Part 2 : Identifying the Muscles That Shape the Body
[link] - Part 3 : Using What You Know About Bone and Muscle Structure to Shape Realistic Skin

Bone structure is a very important thing to learn when it comes to producing realistic human characters. Not only do bones shape and frame the body, but they also poke out toward the skin to create a lot of the ridges and bumps that you commonly see around elbows, knees, ankles and shins. Knowledge of the skeleton helps keep your poses are convincing and knowing how long bones are in comparison to other bones, and how bones twist and turn when parts of the body bend to keep your poses lifelike and flexible. Bones are the framework to which the muscles attach as well, so it helps to have a basic knowledge of the skeletal system before learning about muscles.

Some important bones to pay attention to:
Skull - The ridges in the skull are sometimes very close to the surface of the skin, with only a thin layer of muscle and skin cover. The shape of the skull is important to know because it greatly influences the shape of the face.
Spine - It is important to know how the spine bends and twists, to create dynamic poses. It’s also important to know where other bones connect to the spine.
Pelvis - The pelvis comes very close to the surface of the skin at the top, and the angle of the hips and spine are the most defining features in dynamic poses. Stiff hips and spine make for a stiff pose.
Femur - The way the femur protrudes outward from the pelvis is responsible for the hips being wider than the pelvis. Utilizing this knowledge is what makes those comic book women so shapely!
Patella and Tibia - These bones also come close to the surface of the skin and create some of the most prominent ridges and dips in the lower portion of the leg.
Ribcage - Knowing the shape of the ribcage will greatly help improve the general shape and realism of the torso of your drawings or paintings.
Feet and Hands - Hands and feet seem to be the most difficult portions of the body to correctly draw.
Knowing where these bones are will help create more lifeline hands and feet.
Scapula - When drawing the rear-view of a character, the ridges of the spine and scapula define the back well.

*Special thanks to `Elandria for taking this lovely stock image for me to work with. Please see the image here: [link]

Description
[link] - Part 1 : Identifying Bone Structure That Forms the Framework of the Body
[link] - Part 2 : Identifying the Muscles That Shape the Body
[link] - Part 3 : Using What You Know About Bone and Muscle Structure to Shape Realistic Skin

Bone structure is a very important thing to learn when it comes to producing realistic human characters. Not only do bones shape and frame the body, but they also poke out toward the skin to create a lot of the ridges and bumps that you commonly see around elbows, knees, ankles and shins. Knowledge of the skeleton helps keep your poses are convincing and knowing how long bones are in comparison to other bones, and how bones twist and turn when parts of the body bend to keep your poses lifelike and flexible. Bones are the framework to which the muscles attach as well, so it helps to have a basic knowledge of the skeletal system before learning about muscles.

Some important bones to pay attention to:
Skull - The ridges in the skull are sometimes very close to the surface of the skin, with only a thin layer of muscle and skin cover. The shape of the skull is important to know because it greatly influences the shape of the face.
Spine - It is important to know how the spine bends and twists, to create dynamic poses. It’s also important to know where other bones connect to the spine.
Pelvis - The pelvis comes very close to the surface of the skin at the top, and the angle of the hips and spine are the most defining features in dynamic poses. Stiff hips and spine make for a stiff pose.
Femur - The way the femur protrudes outward from the pelvis is responsible for the hips being wider than the pelvis. Utilizing this knowledge is what makes those comic book women so shapely!
Patella and Tibia - These bones also come close to the surface of the skin and create some of the most prominent ridges and dips in the lower portion of the leg.
Ribcage - Knowing the shape of the ribcage will greatly help improve the general shape and realism of the torso of your drawings or paintings.
Feet and Hands - Hands and feet seem to be the most difficult portions of the body to correctly draw.
Knowing where these bones are will help create more lifeline hands and feet.
Scapula - When drawing the rear-view of a character, the ridges of the spine and scapula define the back well.

*Special thanks to `Elandria for taking this lovely stock image for me to work with. Please see the image here: [link]