Manikin (summary in-progress)

At this stage in manikin construction everything seems to be going smoothly. I now have a certified method for producing each muscle...

1) Knead an appropriately sized ball of clay
2) Roll the ball into a log approximately the overall length of the muscle under construction
3) Flatten the log on a hard surface using the palm of the hand
4) Carve a shallow outline of the form of the muscle itself
5) Complete the outline and remove the muscle segment
6) Adjust and attach the muscle to it's connection points
7) Shave the muscle down to achieve the proper contour, final form and proportion
8) Create or emphasize the "line between the functions"

So far, this process has served me well. It is not only accurate, but also, relatively time efficient. I only wish that I had realized this method earlier. The spinal erectors, being the first muscles that we constructed, appear to lay a little flat when compared to the rest of the figure. I have molded them over time but, it is difficult to accurately modify an entire group of muscles after they have already been placed upon the model. Connection points cannot be moved and the relationship of one muscle to the next is challenging to alter. Another area for improvement was indicated to me during the last class session. The lateral side of the foreleg, which attaches the flexors and extensors of the toes, is too pronounced. In actuality, the lateral bone on the ankle joint protrudes further than any of the muscles located in the same area. Also, when viewing the posterior side of the leg, the tendons of the gastrocnemius and hamstrings meet behind the knee and the void between them is an obvious diamond shape. In my manikin, this void is more triangular in shape. These are the most notable flaws in the construction of my manikin thus far.
However, I feel that the overall strength in my particular manikin (affectionately named Johan) is the distinction between each muscle. Many manikins appear to have been placed in an oven. Their muscles run together into an amorphous mass or, it appears that a large hunk of clay was attached to the skeletal structure while individual muscles where whittled out of a larger structure. Also, the craftsmanship of each muscle appears to be well-considered. There are no unexplaned lumps, divits or surface undulations. I took extra time to ensure that the surface texture and construction quality would not distract from the form of the muscles themselves.