[1] About this tutorial

Today’s tutorial is called “How to Draw a Variety of Hands” and was made by Ui Shigure.

This tutorial explains the structure of the hand, how to draw hand poses and nails. Let's draw persuasive and realistic hands by understanding their structure!

 

[2] Hand structure

In many cases, hands look complicated because of their shape and the various poses they can take. Therefore, if you divide the hand into several parts, it becomes easier to understand and draw it.

Now, let’s take a look to the structure of a hand. Actually, looking at your hands while you are reading through the tutorial will help you to understand the concept!

 

First of all, let’s divide the hand into four parts.

I divided the hand into four basic parts based on the movement.

 

1. Thumb

2. Base of the thumb

3. Other four fingers

4. Palm

 

We will see how parts 1 to 3 move from here.

※ The description of the palm is omitted because you cannot move the palm itself.

 

 

 

■1. Thumbs

The thumbs only move inward.

 

 

 

■2. Base of the thumbs

The base of the thumbs only fold towards the palm.

However, let's note that the thumbs (blue) and the base of the thumbs (light blue) move in different ways.

 

 

 

■3. Other four fingers

These four fingers move in the same way.

Although they are all “fingers", if you understand the difference between the structure of the thumbs and the rest of the fingers, you can draw beautiful hands!

Be aware that the fingers do not bend from their bases, but actually start bending below this position, or to be exact, from the palm.

 

These four fingers bend from the joints, making also the palm folding in.

No need to draw complex patterns to obtain realistic looking hands.

 

In addition, keep an eye on the base of the fingers.

Fingers look more natural if their joints are drawn along the shape of a hill.

 

[3] Let’s focus on the basic parts!

It's easier to draw hands if they are divided into four basic parts rather than as one entity.

First, I draw zones of reference in different colors as seen below. Then, I work on the fingers and the palm following the color marks. It is useful to use your own hands as a reference for your drawing!

 

You can use this method to shape various hand poses.

For example, you can draw a clutching hand or inviting you as seen on the images below.

 

[4] Drawing a three-dimensional hand

Although ways of drawing poses and hands vary depending on the pattern, I will teach you some tricks to help you draw three-dimensional hands.

The red circles represent the joints.

 

I draw sharp strokes to emphasize the bones. Adapting the pen pressure is also a good trick to use.

The green lines show the soft parts of the fingers. Soft curves enhance the genuine look of fingers.

In addition, drawing the little curves seen below bring the final touch to the realistic aspect of your hands.

 

[5] Drawing fingers, nails & joints

In this section, I will explain how to draw properly the fingers, joints and nails of a clutching hand.

The fingers do not move following a straight line, but according to their joints. Let's take a closer look at the parts curving inward or outward.

Also, check the angles of the other folded fingers as well.

 

There are various ways to depict fingernails. I will explain how to draw five different types.

 

① Realistic nails

Drawing the sides and the bases of the nails make them look very close to a real hand.

 

② ‘’No base’’ nails

This method depict only the sides of the nails, giving them an in-between realistic and stylized look.

 

③ ‘’No nails’’

The ‘’no nails’’ way if frequently use in manga and can also be seen as a stylization method.

 

④ Square nails

The edge of those nails is sharp. They remind fake decorative nails.

 

⑤ Round nails

The edge of those nails is round. Round nails are useful if you want to draw children’s fingernails.

 

 

 

Choosing the perfect nails for your character your character will make your illustration more persuasive.

 

This is the end of this lesson on hands drawing methods!

 

More you are getting familiar with the motion range and structure of the fingers, better you are getting at drawing very beautiful hands!

I invite you to use a camera or a mirror to check the shape of your hands! You can learn so much by making sketch of them!

 

※ The video is in Japanese.

 

Over 200 free lessons are available on the drawing course website Palmie! Check it out!

Note: The Palmie website is only available in Japanese.

 

・ Artist profile: Ui Shigure

It is a pleasure to meet you! My name is Ui Shigure. I usually draw students and young girls. I’m still learning myself, but I hope I can be of assistance!