Drawing Hands Made Simple, Great Tips to Help You Master Hands

Copyright (c) 2006 Todd Harrisfinish with some shading and refining. Draw the
Artists consider drawing hands one of the hardestmain visible wrinkles, shadows, nails and then
parts of the human form to draw. It takes a lotrefine the lines.
of practice to master drawing hands, however, itAdd some rough shading to bring the form out.
can be learned and less daunting than the taskThen refine with more subtle shading while
seems. Hands are a very expressive part of theobserving the fine lines of the hands. It's good to
body, much like the face, this is why it isknow where your light source is coming from so
sometimes so hard to draw. There is a formulayou know where the shadows will fall on each
to the process that makes it easier for artists tofinger.
master drawing hands. Let's take a look at theThere are some tips that you can consider when
process.drawing hands that are helpful. First, draw your
Start with blocking in the hand. Artists do thisown hands. Set your hands in various poses and
differently, do it the way you feel comfortable. Alook for how the light falls on them. Next, know
quick block-in might look a little like a fisted handwhat's underneath the hand. Have a good
outline, with fingers outstretched.understanding of the structure of the hand from
When you are drawing the hand, you do not havean anatomical view point. This should give you a
to worry about all of the detail, this will comegood understanding and help you with how the
later. You always want to start with the overallshading should be handled.
shape and then work the finer details last. BreakStart with easier poses and then work on more
down the hand with simple shapes.complex poses as you become more familiar.
Then form the fingers. Notice the shape of themGet critiques of your drawings. Feedback is very
and the space between them. Make sure yourimportant when learning to draw anything. Get
proportions are correct. Once you havenew perspective from others comments and
everything in the right position, then and onlydon't be afraid to try them out.
then, can you begin to refine the hand. Make sureLastly, drawing takes a lot of practice. Don't get
the thumb is in the right position relative to thediscouraged if your first few hands don't turn out.
other fingers. You can use the thumb and pencilYou'll get it, with persistence and practice, you'll be
method to check these proportions.mastering hands in no time.
Once your block-in or lay in is complete, you can