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Human Anatomy for Artists
Why It’s Important + A Book Review
Human anatomy for artists doesn’t go nearly as deep and detailed as what one would learn in medical school. It doesn’t need to be. Even so, it’s still a daunting subject. I’ve read books, watched videos, and taken classes on drawing the human body and they’ve either been seriously lacking or far too complicated. In all my years, only one class has ever delivered what every art student should know. And not just about how the human body is put together and how it works, but how you as the artist can translate that knowledge to your artwork.
It was a privilege taking this man’s class. His knowledge of bones, muscles, fat, and tendons is vast, but he explains it clearly, concisely, and energetically. He taught every class as though he had just downed five Red Bull energy drinks. He spent the entire period covering the blackboard in figure and anatomy drawings all while hopping up and down from a bench that was set right under the blackboard so he could reach the top. The blackboard would be covered in drawings that looked like the Old Masters themselves had guided his hand.
His name is Rey Bustos.
He has more than three decades of teaching under his belt. He’s taught at places like ArtCenter College of Design (where I took his class), Los Angeles Academy…
