We finally got to the muscular system in Vertebrate Biology lab, and among the many dissected animals, I found a cat that had really beautifully been skinned. There were barely any tears of muscle or accidentally removed fascia as far as I was able to tell.

So, while everyone else went to the different animal stations to answer questions, I spent a good 20-40 minutes drawing this one cat's right forelimb. I've had plans of creating a comprehensive model of cat forelimb musculature, and this animal was a really gorgeous specimen. Hooray for kitties furthering the aims of science! These animals were put to a good cause after death, at least in my eyes.

I had also drawn this on the back of my muscle comparative anatomy table, so I did my best to clone it out via Photoshop.

And yes, that other lump behind the main body is the left scapula, pushed upward due to the position of the left forelimb (paw shown under the front of and behind the chest).

Media: .05 2B mechanical pencil on printer paper
Time: ~20-40 minutes

Art by Stephanie Dziezyk 2013.