The scalene muscles are three pairs of muscles on each side of your neck. They run from your neck vertebrae down to your first two ribs. These muscles help move your head and neck – tilting, turning, and bending it forward. #anatomy #3dmodeling #characterdesign

🎅 Holiday Sale is here with up to 30% off all our books: anatomy4sculptors.com Get the gift every artist wants – clear, visual references that help in everyday work!

When the head rotates, the SCM shifts so the line between its start and end points forms a 90° angle against the horizontal plane. It's important for artists to understand this anatomy when designing or animating their characters. #anatomy #3dmodeling #characterdesign

When the neck extends and the head tilts back, the trapezius does most of the heavy lifting. Meanwhile, the cervical vertebrae hinge with a huge range – up to 85°. Great to know for character artists aiming to create believable neck motion. #anatomy #3dmodeling #characterdesign

The two heads of the gastrocnemius muscle create the calf’s outer and inner curves – rounder and lower on the inside, tighter and higher on the outside. Together, they form the diamond shape of the calf. A must-know shape for character artists and anyone studying anatomy for art.

The gastrocnemius is the main surface muscle of the calf. It merges with the Achilles tendon, which inserts into the heel. Remember this when sculpting, drawing, or modeling the lower leg. #anatomy #3dmodeling #characterdesign

Male buttocks feature less fat pads than female ones, making the base forms more angular. When simplified, they can be blocked out using two short cylinders angled outward – use this approach whether you're #3dmodeling, sculpting, or studying #anatomy for art. #characterdesign

Bony landmarks define the surface forms of the knee – where bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fat pads meet. They're useful for anyone learning anatomy for art. #anatomy #3dmodeling #characterdesign

When the leg is straight, the fat pad behind the knee sticks out. Bend the leg, and the back of the knee sinks while the calf bulges. The calf also pops when the foot extends – a must-know tip for #3dmodeling , #characterdesign, and anyone studying #anatomy for art.

If you saw our earlier male torso cross sections, you’ll notice the difference here – the female forms are softer, more fluid. These cross sections help character designers shape more believable female bodies. #anatomy #characterdesign #3dmodeling

Let’s start with the basics: the thorax and pelvis. Then, more complex forms are developed on these fundamental movable masses. Whether you’re sculpting, 3D modeling, or studying anatomy for character design — this one’s for you. #anatomy #3dmodeling #characterdesign

Mastering the hand isn’t easy, but breaking it into simple shapes helps – especially if you’re into digital sculpting, 3D character design, or just studying anatomy for your art. Check out this breakdown from block-outs to organic forms! #anatomy #3dmodeling #characterdesign

The hand is made up of 27 bones. Carpals, metacarpals, and three types of phalanges: proximal, intermediate, and distal. All color-coded for clarity and built for artists studying #anatomy, #3Dmodeling, or #characterdesign (with knuckles in all the right places).

A quick flip-through of our newest book – Arm and Hand in Motion. Dive into the anatomy of movement with hand-sculpted poses, layered visuals, and 3D references. Built for working artists. Available on our web store: anatomy4sculptors.com #anatomy #3dmodeling #characterdesign

Tackle dynamic anatomy with hand-sculpted poses, layered views, and clear 3D references. Compare male and female anatomy, and see how upper limb forms shift in motion. Get Arm and Hand in Motion now on our webstore: anatomy4sculptors.com #anatomy #3dmodeling #characterdesign

The wait is over – Arm and Hand in Motion is finally available on our webstore: anatomy4sculptors.com Dive into dynamic upper-limb poses, layered anatomy, and references built for real artistic work. #anatomy #3dmodeling #characterdesign

Surprise expression engages the frontalis and depressor labii inferioris muscles – lifting the brows, widening the eyes, and dropping the jaw. This anatomy breakdown helps 3D artists and sculptors study expression in detail, from surface forms to muscles. #anatomy #3dmodeling #characterdesign

Recognize this pose from our new book cover? The self-hug pose compresses and stretches muscles in the chest, shoulder, back, and arm, showcasing how surface forms shift with movement. #anatomy #3dmodeling #characterdesign

A flat, roughly triangular bone that moves with the arm, altering the visible shapes of the shoulder and upper back. Its spine and edges are the visible bony landmarks. #anatomy #scultping #characterdesign #3dmodeling

The eye area color-coded block-out doesn’t follow strict anatomical boundaries – instead, it’s mainly based on differences in form. It makes it easier to read the structure, highlighting key elements like the eyelids, tear bag, brow area, etc. #anatomy #3dmodeling #characterdesign

Ear forms can be tricky to grasp, but this color-coded block-out reduces the structure into simple shapes. The same color code is used on the realistic model, making it easy to see how each simplified volume translates back into organic form. #anatomy #3dmodeling #characterdesign

The nose keeps changing across a lifetime, and its profile also differs by sex. This comparison of nose profiles across four individuals shows how the nasal tip and its nearby landmarks change. #anatomy #characterdesign #3dmodeling

The nose can feel like a tricky form to understand. This block-out into simple shapes clearly shows its parts: the root, dorsum, tip, ala, columella, etc. Once you see how these parts fit together, recreating a realistic nose becomes easier. #anatomy #characterdesign #3dmodeling

The mouth area may look uniform, but its form is quite complex. Primary and secondary shapes help clarify its underlying structure – from the chin and mouth pillars to the roof of the mouth. #anatomy #scultping #characterdesign #3dmodeling

Unlock key head landmarks through proportions. First, remove the top sixth (crown to hairline) to isolate the face. Divide the rest into thirds: hairline to brow, brow to nose, nose to chin. (1/2)

In early childhood, the neck is short, and the muscles are weak, offering limited support for the oversized head. That shortness helps protect the spine from injury while the body develops. #anatomy #characterdesign #3dmodeling

Ever wondered what that bump is near the base of your neck? That’s your C7 vertebra sticking out – a key bony landmark for artists. #anatomy #3dmodeling #characterdesign

Lower extremity bony landmarks sit on the pelvis, femur, patella, tibia, and fibula. We’ve color-coded them by bone – use these key points to place muscles where they belong. #anatomy #3dmodeling #characterdesign

Bony landmarks of the hip: the iliac crest and greater trochanter. These two fixed points show on the surface. Know them, and you won’t have any problems placing the muscles around the pelvis. #anatomy #3dmodeling #characterdesign

Think of the butt as two bubbles: the gluteus medius and gluteus maximus muscles fit the curves of the pelvis perfectly. Add the tensor fascia latae at the side, and you’ve shaped the hips too. #anatomy #3dmodeling #characterdesign

Compare the live-model surface forms with the color-coded muscle overlay. This lets you understand how the structure underneath shapes the appearance above – from delts to abs. #anatomy #characterdesign

The muscles of the back are layered and overlap. Erector spinae runs along the spine and forms the deepest layer. Over it lies latissimus dorsi, wrapping around the sides. Trapezius sits on top, overlapping the upper part of latissimus dorsi. #anatomy #3dmodeling #characterdesign

The sternocleidomastoid connects to the skull at the point where the dotted line shifts direction. Then, it continues along the mastoid process – a bony landmark that’s more noticeable in males. #anatomy #3dmodeling #characterdesign

You asked for it and we made it! Check out this new reference of a bent elbow! While the medial epicondyle and the lateral epicondyle look like dimples on a straight arm, they protrude on a bent arm. The olecranon (or elbow tip) always protrudes. #anatomy #3dmodeling #characterdesign

The palm is not flat and forms an arch instead. You can observe this the best in finger surfaces – each of them faces a slightly different direction. #anatomy #3Dmodeling #characterdesign

Check the color code on the skeleton and the live model to locate all three bony landmarks of the elbow. On the humerus, these are the medial and lateral epicondyle, while on the ulna, it’s the olecranon. #anatomy #3dmodeling #characterdesign

Just flippin’ through our first book – packed with everything a visual artist needs: human anatomy by age and sex, body proportions, muscles and bones, and surface forms across a variety of postures. Grab your copy anytime from our web store! #anatomy #3dmodeling #characterdesign

Pronation and supination are most visible in the forearm, but form changes also occur above the elbow. These cross-sections show how the arm shifts between the two positions. #anatomy #3dmodeling #characterdesign

Watch Uldis sculpt the arms and hands of our brand new écorché based on Auguste Rodin’s sculpture, the Age of Bronze. Next, go and check it out on 3D Reference Tool: ref.anatomy4sculptors.com/albums/figur... #anatomy #3dmodeling #characterdesign

Make your art more alive with contrapposto by twisting your character’s hips and legs opposite its shoulders and head. This creates a dynamic S-shape posture. #anatomy #3dmodeling #characterdesign

Think a six-pack is the standard? Not quite. Depending on genetics, you could have anywhere from 4 to 10 abs – just hidden beneath lower belly fat. #anatomy #3dmodeling #characterdesign

Have you ever noticed that the deltoid disappears from the frontal view when you lift your arm? Its masses become visible in the rear, and as a proper bony landmark, the clavicle stays exposed throughout this movement. #anatomy #3dmodeling #characterdesign

The serratus anterior is sometimes confused with ribs. However, it’s actually a muscle that originates from the 1st to 8th rib and inserts along the medial border of the scapula! #anatomy #3dmodeling #characterdesign

This new block-out clarifies all the complex organic forms found on the male back. While working on the upcoming book, we’re creating a lot of content that shows the upper limb in context, which is great for referencing more than just the book’s main subject. #anatomy #3dmodeling #characterdesign

The new color-coded écorché based on August Rodin’s iconic sculpture, The Age of Bronze, is now available on 3D Reference Tool: ref.anatomy4sculptors.com/albums/figur... The original features amazing organic forms, which Uldis has blocked out and color-coded! #anatomy #characterdesign #3dmodeling

We’ve made a color-coded ecorche based on Auguste Rodin’s sculpture, The Age of Bronze! His contemporaries in 1877 were stunned by the sculpture’s realism and even accused him of casting it from a live model – proof of its value as an anatomy reference! #anatomy #3dmodeling #characterdesign

What’s behind the turkey neck? The platysma muscle relaxes as we age, causing the skin to sag. In the meantime, the neck cords move further apart and become more pronounced. #anatomy #3dmodeling #characterdesign

The neck doesn’t sit flat on top of the torso! Its connection to the torso starts higher at the back and then slopes down to meet the sternum at the front. Understanding this angle is key to creating realistic anatomy. #anatomy #3dmodeling #characterdesign

Facial muscles are thin and lie beneath the skin, blending into its structure rather than forming distinct shapes. Unlike masticatory muscles, they themselves don't create noticeable volume – instead, they move the skin to make expressions. #anatomy #3dmodeling #characterdesign

Understanding the angular relationship between the ribcage and pelvis will help you create a realistic-looking torso. In a relaxed position, the ribcage always has a posterior tilt, and the pelvis has an anterior tilt, creating a slight angle between the two movable masses. anatomy4sculptors.com