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Torso

The ribcage and pelvis are the two big masses of the body. Compare their tilt and twist before connecting them with the waist; abs and back have their own lessons.

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Sodaguy Tips

4 free · +6 with Pro

Waist and lower-torso variation
These examples show how the waist and lower torso can take on very different shapes. Pay attention to the relationship between the abdominal mass, obliques, pelvis, and outer silhouette.
Pelvis and spine rotation
Leg rotation begins at the hip and continues through the entire chain. The pelvis, femur, knee, lower leg, ankle, and foot all respond together, so avoid rotating each section independently.
Twisting the spine and pelvis
A body twist is distributed through the spine, ribcage, pelvis, and legs. Avoid rotating only the waist; let each major structure contribute to the overall movement.
Ribcage and pelvis construction
Start with the gesture and major body masses before adding anatomy. Build the ribcage and pelvis first, connect them through the torso, then layer the muscles and final silhouette on top.
Torso in four construction steps
Start the torso with a clear centerline and directional curve. Build the ribcage around that axis, then add the abdominal and side forms while keeping the original gesture visible.
Boxes before curves
Compare the tilt of the ribcage and pelvis before connecting them with the waist.
Torso muscle map
Think of the torso muscles as connected groups wrapping around the ribcage and pelvis. The pecs, deltoids, lats, obliques, abs, and back muscles should flow into one another rather than looking like isolated patches.
Torso from blocks to finished forms
Compare the tilt of the ribcage and pelvis before connecting them with the waist.
Turn the torso in space
Compare the tilt of the ribcage and pelvis before connecting them with the waist.

Also useful

from other lessons

1 free · +2 with Pro

Comparing body volume across features
Compare shoulder width, waist, hip width and mass distribution while keeping the construction consistent.
Cotton, satin and latex
Cotton uses broad, quiet value changes; satin uses flowing highlight bands; latex uses sharper, stronger reflections.
Twelve torso turns
The same bikini torso turned, tilted and twisted twelve ways. Follow the centre line from the sternum to the navel and the bikini strings around the hips — they show the turn of the ribcage and pelvis better than the outline does.