Art and Anatomy, Part IV: Sculpting Animals in Motion

Abstract

Every sculptor knows that it’s challenging to model an animal in motion including walking, running, jumping, or any pose that seems like a blur when observed in nature. Studying skeletons, muscles, waypoints, points of articulation, proportions of a specific species, and understanding Nature’s One Pattern regarding all vertebrates is invaluable knowledge for the sculptor and will initiate an understanding of all quadruped and vertebrate anatomy. The most useful information for the figurative sculptor is the understanding and logic of comparative anatomy. In other words, if you comprehend the anatomy and structure of a horse, the skeleton of all quadrupeds—such as giraffe, moose, muskrat, elephant, dog, and beyond—is logical information you can use in the studio.