Visualizing and Drawing Anatomy Workshop

This four-week workshop led by Kriota Willberg utilizes live models as well as anatomical illustrations from The New York Academy of Medicine’s historical collections to teach participants to look beneath the skin of the human body and draw the structures and tissues giving the body its shape and character.

Each class starts with an exploration of body parts and systems in the Academy’s Drs. Barry and Bobbi Coller Rare Book Reading Room. Afterwards, Willberg will draw musculoskeletal structures on a live model so that students may practice visualizing and drawing the skeleton and muscles of a living body. 

This is not a figure drawing workshop. Our focus will be on visually locating and rendering the anatomy of the body on the page in order to enhance (figure) drawing skills. All skill levels are welcome.

Participants should bring a sketchpad and drawing implements of their choice. Handouts are provided. Homework assignments will be given to participants wanting further practice of these skills.

About the Instructor

Through graphic narratives, teaching, and needlework, Kriota Willberg explores the intersection between body sciences and creative practice. Her comics are seen on online sites such as Intima, Broken Pencil, 4 PANEL, and in the anthologies Sub Cultures, Awesome ‘Possum, and the upcoming Graphic Canon. Willberg transposes medical imagery of herself and friends into needlework as a form of portraiture. She teaches anatomy for artists at a variety of institutions including The New York Academy of Medicine Library, the Center for Cartoon Studies, and the Society of Illustrators. You can see more of her work at http://kriotawelt.blogspot.com/.