Traditional-Drawing Tutorial: How To Draw A Proportioned Hand Structure

I remember that when I started drawing, one of the more difficult things to do (for me) were the hands, and that's the reason why for long time I've drawn people with the arms/hands hidden.

If you've had my same problem, or you're a beginner, this is the tutorial for you.
In this tutorial I'll show how to draw the hand structure, starting from 2 simple circles. Then, using them as basis, I'll show how to create a proportioned hand.
When you'll learn to draw the structure, it will be easier drawing hands in different positions, like I'll show with some examples.
This tutorial can be used for paper drawings or digital drawings on a tablet in combination with Photoshop for examples.

End result:
How To Draw A Proportioned Hand Structure Final Image

Author:

Views: 42949

Score: 8.23 / 10

Author earned: $10

Practice tutorial

Tags:beginnerhandstructure

Step 1

First of all, we'll draw a hand in a simple position: with the palm open and the fingers equally distant.

I use a digitizing tablet, so I don't need to scan every single drawing.

The first step is drawing 2 circles: the diameter of the little one (the wrist) is about of the same length of the ray of the big one (the palm) .
Then trace the orizontal diameter of the big circle, and divide its higher half in 6 parts with 5 points.

Step 2

Now, to create the structure of the fingers, draw 2 little lines (each one with the same length of the wrist's diameter) starting from the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th point.

Step 3

Draw a line that starts from A and that's perpendicular to the base of your sheet, and another one that starts from B and creates a 45° angle with the orizontal diameter of the palm circle.
In the meeting point of the 2 lines there's the C point: unite C with D.

This shape we've just drawn is the part where the thumb is connected with the palm.

Step 4

Starting from the middle point of the AC line, draw 2 little lines, a bit shorter than the other phalanxes: they're the thumb.

Step 5

Over each phalanx draw a rectangle: in the 5 external phalanxes the external side must to be drawn a little bit shorter, because it's the end of the fingers.

Now you can unit:
A and B
B and C with a curved line
C and D
D and E
F and A

Then draw 2 lines that start from E and F to create the wrist.

Pay attention to unit C with D and don't continue the curved line until X, because you'd create a weird round shape for the hand.
If you draw it correctly even the little finger will have the right length.

Step 6

Now that you have the structure you can draw the definitive edges of your hand.

It's always a good idea observing ours own hands to copy details, for example the wrinkles of the skin.

Remember that exist a lot of different kind of fingers and hands, so you can draw them like you prefer, long or short or thin, and so on..
The most important thing is (in my opinion) the balance you're able to create so, even if the hand you're drawing is a bit weird, the result will be equally good if you menage to draw harmonious lines.

Step 7

When you've made practice with the structure you can start drawing hands in different positions.

If the hand is in perspective, like in the example image, remember that the wrist is a sphere, then you'll see it always like a circle even if you change point of view.
The hand, instead, has a flattened shape, so the circle has to be drawn more like an oval.

Step 8

In case you want to draw bended fingers, you have to draw them in perspective, then shorter, like in the example image. Try to imagine the external phalanxes like little sections of cones.

Step 9

Lastly, to make your hands perfect, you've just to color them with your favourite technique, even using only flat colors (and maybe add them a body!).

This was the last step.
I hope this lesson could be useful.

Thank you for reading (n_n)

Howdie Guest!

We have 20+ awesome contests running every single week, with great prizes!
Photoshop Contests, Photography Contests, Drawing Contests and 3D Contests!

Feel free to join our free community and show of your talents to others, it's big fun!

LOGIN HERE / REGISTER FOR FREE or stay in touch

35 Comments:

ponti55 says:

very nice!

(2 years and 225 days ago)

Akassa says:

Nice for beginners on drawing.

(2 years and 225 days ago)

Guest says:

aby bhai ya kya hai

(2 years and 223 days ago)

niks1351 says:

great tutorial
very nicely explained

(2 years and 222 days ago)

wazowski says:

Good one, at least to understand how to look beyond the complex shape of the hand

(2 years and 222 days ago)

mqtrf says:

Very helpful, the hands are hard to draw

(2 years and 221 days ago)

Guest says:

mangstabs !

nice , thanks for sharing

(2 years and 221 days ago)

Guest says:

@ aby bhai ya kya hai >> TMKC

Great Tutorial guys

(2 years and 219 days ago)

scratzilla1 says:

great tutorial.. very easy to follow ..

(2 years and 218 days ago)

Guest says:

Q900uO puvoxqbuuryr, [url=http://tvviojrjbnzf.com/]tvviojrjbnzf[/url], [link=http://dtvybwwqcyok.com/]dtvybwwqcyok[/link], http://lertvgxizenl.com/

(2 years and 214 days ago)

Guest says:

awsome awsome awsome

(2 years and 200 days ago)

Guest says:

excellent from scratch tutorial

(2 years and 175 days ago)

Guest says:

why just say trace your hand then draw what you see on it or have someone trace your hand and mesure what you see and draw it

(2 years and 150 days ago)

Guest says:

ha... good way to make a hand in easy way..i will try this way to make a hand,.,,,i also make a hand skeches by see live

(2 years and 147 days ago)

Guest says:

you need one thats holding a pen or somthing simular to a pen,i cant draw that very well with hand stuff.... please email me if u get a tutorial by fri at:drackonye@gmail.com

(2 years and 115 days ago)

Guest says:

This was an extremely helpful article, thanks!

(2 years and 54 days ago)

Guest says:

non-thumb fingers are made from three bones, not only two:
the top line of each finger should be cut into half (except thumb)
but it still be an excellent guide

(2 years and 47 days ago)