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How to Draw: Shoulders & Torso

The Shoulders are positioned equal distance from the spine on either side. Equally important is the fact that their angle correlates with the angle of the hips to achieve equilibrium. For instance, if the left shoulder is angled down, the left hip will be angled upwards and vice versa. The same applies to the right side. Note the way the hips and shoulders correlate to one another in the sketches below.



The Torso is comprised of the pectoral and abdominal muscles. To draw the torso, it is useful to start by drawing a vertical axis to assist with the symmetrical placement of muscle groups. This vertical line can then be divided in half, above which rests the pectoral muscles and below which rests the abdominals. Depending on the degree of muscle definition, the pectorals can resemble a pentagonal shape and the abdominals, a series of smaller muscles stacked vertically (often referred to as a six pack.)





Each person has a unique torso as far as shape, height, muscularity and fat distribution are concerned, however the following diagrams will teach you the basic anatomical structure of a male and female torso as well as illustrate the common differences between the female torso and the male torso:

• Women are not as tall, therefore their torsos are not as long.
• Women have a higher percentage of body fat, their bone structures are smaller, and their muscles less developed, therefore bones and muscles are less visible resulting in a softer, rounder appearance.
• Adult females have proportionately higher and longer waists
• Female necks are more slender, and their shoulders not as wide.

Other pages of interest

How to draw feet
Drawing the pelvis, buttocks and arms
How to draw hands
How to draw legs
how to draw: Shoulders and torso

 

 

 

 

 

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