Exercise 33 Practice Sheet: Knees

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EXERCISE: To understand how to draw knees accurately and precisely.

The year is knee’rly over and let’s end it off with an anatomy comprehension of the knees. Understanding anatomy is key in creating character concept art and creating characters that are accurate in their proportions and style.

Notice that the outside of the legs are smoother in comparison with the inside of the legs since the flow of the muscles tend to produce more “shapely” forms on the inside. Try to remember while drawing legs: Outside more smooth, Inside more indents!Below is a quick outline of the 5 knees that you are challenged to draw OVER the bone layer.

1. Male Knee (left leg) – The male leg tends to show more underlying muscle anatomy as well as be a bit more shapely.
2. Bent Knee (side view) – Keep in mind the bones underneath and how that may affect the way the skin wraps around them.
3. Dynamic Knees – This may be the hardest of the bunch trying to draw both knees in fixed positions.
4. Female Knee (right leg) – Females tend to have smoother legs and in turn smoother knees. (typically less hairy as well)
5. BACK of the knee – It may not be as common to sketch the back of the knee but it’s important to understand how to create this as well.