Essential Human Anatomy for Artists

CHAPTER 4

THE TORSO AND PELVIS

The region from the shoulders to the pelvis is called the torso. Most of the muscles described in this section lie on the torso itself, although some cross over from the shoulders to the neck. The shape of the torso is largely determined by the shape of the rib cage upon which the shoulders and their muscles sit. The rib cage, with its 12 thoracic vertebrae, is separated from the pelvic girdle by the five semi-flexible lumbar vertebrae that allow, and also limit, the movements possible between the rib cage and the pelvis.

Ken Goldman, Profile, charcoal on paper, 12" × 7" (30 × 18 cm)

When it comes to rendering ...