How to Draw Backs

Surface Anatomy of the Back

Drawing the human figure viewed from the back is made easier when you have a when you have a grasp of the basic anatomy, from the muscle groups to the appearance of surface anatomy. The examples provided here will get you started.

Things You'll Need

• Pencil
• Paper
• Eraser

Instructions

How to Draw Backs

1. 

   Study the anatomy of the major muscles of the back provided here. Familiarize yourself with the basic shapes and proportions. Sketch a diagram from the example to deepen your understanding. It is not necessary to remember the names, but the shapes and placement are important.

2. 

   Study reference materials such as this drawing to acquaint yourself with the surface features of the back. If you can arrange for a live model to pose for you, your work will improve as you draw from different poses and angles. Collect clippings from magazines and make drawings and sketches from them.

3. 

   Start your drawing by setting a width for the shoulders. This will help establish proportions for the rest of the back. Refer to the diagram here to see proportional lengths.

4. Set a length for the back. From the base of the skull to the waist will be 1 and a half times the width of the shoulders. (Refer to above diagram.)

5. 

   Divide the length of the back into equal segments as shown in the diagram. From mid-neck to the bottom of the Latissimus Dorsi (“Lats”) at the sides of the back is equal to one shoulder width. From mid-neck to the top of the Lats at the sides of the back is equal to one half the shoulder width.

6. Check the overall proportions to see that they fit inside a square, from the outside edges of the deltoids to the waistline, as in the diagram. As an option, you might first sketch in the lines of the diagram and the square very lightly to help lay in the proportions accurately.

7. 

   Draw in the outline of the figure and finish by shading in the muscles from the edges inward. Pay close attention to the angle of the light and where the highlights and shadows fall.

8. 

   Study athletes and bodybuilders with heavily developed musculature. Compare the muscle groups to the Anatomy chart. Pay attention to the re-shaping of the muscles as they flex and stretch. Make a drawing from this example for practice, and remember, your skills will only improve as you continue in working on your knowledge of anatomy and the technique of your artwork.