Drawing A Collarbone: The Basics
When it comes to drawing, there’s no substitution for practice – but you won’t get far without the basic shape of a collarbone. To get you started, here’s an easy-to-follow guide to drawing a perfect collarbone.
It all begins with getting the shape of the collarbone just right. To do this, it’s important to make sure that the sides of the collarbone curve inwards at the front of the shoulder, and then slightly curve outwards near the back of the shoulder. This helps make the collarbone look realistic and three-dimensional.
Another key factor to making an accurate collarbone is the clavicle. This is an important line that gives the collarbone its distinctive shape. Drawing this line too straight, or worse, omitting it altogether, will distort the collarbone and make it look unnatural.
The trick to drawing a realistic collarbone is also making sure it has a natural set of bumps and ridges. These subtle textures help to make the collarbone look fleshier, adding depth to the drawing.
Adding The Details
Once the underlying shape and structure of the collarbone is nailed down, the drawing can start to look lifelike by adding some more details. This is where the tonal values can be incorporated.
Start by adding shadow along the top and bottom of the collarbone. This will give it volume and make it appear more curved and layered. Then, add some more depth by making the outer edges of the collarbone darker and the inner sides lighter.
This gradual transition creates a realistic-looking collarbone silhouette. To finish off the detail work, draw a few light and dark lines along the sides of the clavicle to make the texture of the bone appear more realistic.
Putting It All Together
Now that the basic shapes, clavicle line and details are in place, the drawing of the collarbone is almost complete. The finishing touches are all about the details and refining the shape of the bone.
Start by erasing any unnecessary lines and blurring the edges with a soft pencil. This will ensure that the collarbone looks and feels three-dimensional, as well as making the surface texture look realistic.
The next step is to add a little bit of texture to the bone using shading and crosshatching. This will create a subtle depth and make the collarbone look more realistic.
The last step is to use highlights to draw the viewer’s attention to the collarbone. This is done by adding very light areas around the edges of the bone, adding an ethereal glow.
Developing The Drawing Further
Once the drawing of the collarbone is finished, it doesn’t have to end there. To make the entire drawing look more realistic, you can start to add some muscles and tendons around the collarbone.
Adding the muscles will help to show the anatomy of the body, such as the chest muscles, shoulder muscles and deltoids, better illustrate the shape and movement of the body. The tendons can also be drawn to show the relationship between the muscles and the collarbone.
Finally, adding some color to the drawing can help to create a realistic-looking collarbone. Shades of red, purple and yellow can be used to highlight a realistic-looking muscle or tendon.
Creating an Anatomically Correct Collarbone
To perfect the drawing of a natural-looking collarbone, it helps to understand the anatomy of the actual bone. Taking the time to study the shape of the collarbone and the muscles and tendons that connect to it will help to make the drawing look more accurate.
It’s important to consider the positioning of the collarbone and how it appears when the body is in a certain position. This will help to establish the right proportions and make the drawing look more realistic.
Even with the basics of drawing a collarbone nailed down, there is still room for creativity. By adding some unique touches and personal flourishes, the drawing can become your own.
Adding Texture and Color To The Collarbone
Once the underlying shape, structure and anatomy of the collarbone is in place, it’s time to add texture and color. Variations in tone and texture can help to make the drawing look more realistic and lifelike.
Start by adding a layer of shade and light to the collarbone. This will create a sense of smoothness and make the drawing appear natural. Even random marks like tiny bumps and grooves can help make the bone look smoother.
For the color, consider adding a subtle highlight or shadow to the collarbone. This will make the bone stand out and help make the drawing look more realistic. Finally, a subtle hue of pink to represent the natural hue of skin can be added as well.
