This week in life drawing we worked on drawing from the model.  We paid particular attention to the spinal column as well as the position and feel of the ribcage.  By properly plotting the curves of the spinal column and position of the ribcage, it becomes much easier to fill in the rest of the form.  Our instructor, Amy, urged us to draw the spinal column to look as if it could move, expand and contract.  She also urged us to leave evidence of our movements when we draw.  We practiced drawing the ribcage to resemble an egg and how it tips out slightly from the spinal column at the bottom.  We also focused on the long axis line along the front of the figure, paying special attention to the pit of the neck and the pit of the ribcage.  These points serve as useful landmarks in the early stage of a drawing where building proportions is critical.  We also took an in depth look at the proportions of the different parts of the ribcage and how they attach, not only to each other, but to the spinal column.  We paid special attention to the sternum; it serves as an important landmark along the ventral long axis.  I’m beginning to understand the stepping stone approach to this class a little more now; I can understand that having anatomical knowledge that builds from the skeleton is important to building successful human forms on a two-dimensional plane.  Knowing where bones begin and end as well as their positions relative to other bones in the body provides helpful clues on proportions.  Again, I felt rather frustrated with the shorter drawing times, but can understand that we are doing so many in order to improve our efficiency.  I am still struggling with the concept of cross-contour line drawings, but I feel I’m getting, at least, a little better at it.