Anatomy Drawing Lessons (2025)

FAQs

Where to start with anatomy art? ›

Focus on the shapes of the major parts of the skeleton.

Learn the shapes of major bones like the skull, femur, and pelvis before stepping back and learning the overall shape of the feet, hands, and other smaller bone structures. There's no need to memorize the names and locations of every bone in the body.

To begin with, draw the head in the first segment. This is typically an oval shape; however, you can adjust the proportions to match whatever figure and body type you want to achieve. Starting with the head may feel unnatural, but it really helps you get the flow of the body, as you work your way down from head to toe.

One way to do that is to get a reference photo and try and draw the anatomy you've learned onto it. You can draw onto references either with tracing paper or digitally. You'll need to figure out where the bones are and then start to build the musculature on top of that.

If your goals have to do with drawing from minimal reference or from imagination, and/or if you want to draw the human figure, Anatomy is a great place for you to begin.

The human body is complex, so creating anatomically correct drawings isn't something you can learn in a day; it may take weeks of practice and studying reference drawings to truly understand the shape of each muscle and how they all connect.

Draw the Head

The first step in drawing an armature is to draw an oval for the head. I start with the head because it establishes the proportion for the rest of the body.

Some believe that drawing is purely down to natural talent. But really, anyone can learn the skill with the right direction and practise. If you're interested in getting creative, our tips for drawing for beginners can help you figure out where to start.

One of the most effective ways to learn anatomy is through active learning and visualization techniques. Instead of passively reading textbooks or lecture notes, actively engage with the material. Use visual aids such as anatomical models, diagrams, and interactive apps to enhance your understanding.

Can you draw without learning anatomy? ›

Skeletal and muscular anatomy is what shapes a human body. Without this knowledge, it is very challenging to make realistic portraits and figurative artworks. Together with the knowledge of constructive drawing and proportions, anatomy separates amateur artworks from great masterpieces.

A few reliable sources for anatomical illustrations are the Innerbody, AnatomyZone, and Visible Body. These websites include interactive tools and in-depth pictures for learning about human anatomy.

If you need a place to start, focus on the skull first and work your way down. Get GOOD reference books, anatomy books for artists that use photos as well as drawings are helpful. You may even want to get your own skull, you can find decent reproductions pretty easy, get a life sized one that is for anatomical study.

One of the most effective ways to learn anatomy is through active learning and visualization techniques. Instead of passively reading textbooks or lecture notes, actively engage with the material. Use visual aids such as anatomical models, diagrams, and interactive apps to enhance your understanding.

In general, a bachelor's degree with a major in art and a minor in the biological sciences, or a major in science with a minor in art, is preferred. In addition, a portfolio of artwork and a personal interview are generally required. A list of the currently accredited graduate programs can be viewed here.