and understanding this concept is essential for realistic
sculpture. For example, notice how the neck seems to
“lengthen” when stretched or “shorten” when tucked?
Or how the neck seems “longer” when the scapula is
extended back or “shorter” when the scapula is lifted
upwards? Or on the hindquarter, a deeply flexed hind
leg will cause the gaskin to smoosh into the hindquarter
musculature, with all sorts of wrinkles and gooshing.
The skeleton does articulate, but it does not do so in a
vacuum! Always remember that it does so enveloped in
goo! Which leads to…
Distortion: Because the skeleton is buried in flesh,
which is smooshable and stretchy, when it articulates,
muscle bellies are stretched and gooed, distorting away
from their normal appearance when standing. And the
less an area is characterized by subcutaneous bone, the
more this distortion can happen. Indeed, one of the
most lovely and interesting aspects of movement is how
the flesh changes as a consequence. The neck, pectorals, triceps, and hindquarter are typically the sites of
the most distortion, so observe them on real horses to
get a better understanding of just how much this effect
comes into play when interpreting motion.
Wait - there’s more!
This article has expanded photographic content
in the electronic version of the magazine.
around the shoulder and hindquarter when the respective legs are extended forwards or backwards, or in the
pectoral area, when the forelegs are abducted.
Muscle Resonance: This sublime manifestation of goo
occurs when inertia acts upon relaxed portions of flesh,
making them jiggle, flop or ripple in resonance to the
phys X