H02 - Proportions of A Hand

PROPORTIONS
OF A
Brenda Hoddinott
H-02 BEGINNER: FOCUS ON PEOPLE
This project offers simple step-by-step illustrated

instructions, to guide aspiring artists through the
process of outlining a proportionately correct adult
human hand.
Human hands are without doubt very anatomically
intricate, but not nearly as difficult to draw as many
artists assume. The process of drawing a hand becomes
less intimidating when you understand how to render
the proportions properly, and can draw the fundamental
shapes of the various parts in their correct places.
Drawing supplies needed include good quality white paper, different grades of graphite pencils
(such as HB and 2B), kneaded and vinyl erasers, a pencil sharpener and a sandpaper block.
This lesson is comprised of the following three sections:
INTRODUCTION: Hands come in various shapes and sizes depending on different factors,
such as the persons’ size, age, and gender; yet the overall proportions are very similar.
PUTTING PROPORTIONS ON PAPER: Setting up accurate proportions is the
foundation of drawing hands. Fingers make up approximately half the total length of a hand.
OUTLINING THE FORMS OF A HAND: In this section, you outline the hand with thin
neat lines by constantly referring to the illustrations and your own hand.
This project is recommended for artists from age 12 to adult, as well as home
schooling, academic and recreational fine art educators.
12 PAGES – 19 ILLUSTRATIONS
Published by Hoddinott Fine Art Publishers, Halifax, NS, Canada – Revised 2006
-2-
INTRODUCTION
Human hands are without doubt very anatomically intricate, but not nearly as difficult to draw as
many artists assume. The process of drawing a hand becomes less intimidating when you
understand how to render the overall proportions properly, and can draw the basic shapes of the
various parts in their correct places. Proportion is the relationship in size of one component of a
drawing to another or others. Shape refers to the outward outline of a form. Basic shapes include
circles, squares and triangles.
The most common inaccuracy when drawing hands is making the main section of the hand too
short in relation to the length of the fingers. Have a close look at one of your own hands.
Measure the distance between the tip of the longest finger down to its base connects to the
main section of the hand (Mine is 3.2 inches).
Then, measure the hand from where the fingers attach to the hand to the section of the wrist
where the base of the thumb ends (Mine is 3.4 inches).
The two distances are very similar; hence, fingers make up approximately half the total length of
a hand.
Examine the three drawings of hands in the next illustration. Imagine each hand open to a point
where you can compare the length of the fingers to the length of the main section of the hand.
Again the distances are approximately the same. Therefore, when drawing a hand keep in mind
that the length of the longest finger is similar to the length of the main section of the hand.
ILLUSTRATION 02-01
Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this drawing class belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may
not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott.
E-mail bhoddinott@hoddinott.com Web sites http://www.finearteducation.com and http://www.drawspace.com
-3-
The illustrations and instructions in this lesson will be based on an average sized hand. However,
hands come in various shapes and sizes depending on lots of different factors, including the
person’s size, age, and gender; yet the overall proportions are very similar.
In the next drawings examine three variations of hands and compare each to the rectangular
sketch beside it.
Which of the three hands in Illustrations 02-02 to 02-04 most closely resembles the overall
shape of your hand?
ILLUSTRATION 02-02
To draw a hand that is short, your sketch
will be based on a rectangle divided into two
squares of the same size (Illustration 02-02).
ILLUSTRATION 02-03
A drawing of an average hand begins with a

longer rectangle divided into two same sized
short rectangles (Illustration 02-03).
ILLUSTRATION 02-04
A slender hand with long fingers is based on

a slightly longer rectangle divided into two
equal rectangles (Illustration 02-04).
Consider using your own

hand as the model for this lesson. If you
are left handed, it’s easier to draw your
right hand, and if you are right handed
try drawing your left.
-4-
PUTTING PROPORTIONS ON PAPER

Setting up accurate proportions is the foundation of drawing hands. If the length of the longest
finger when compared to the length of the hand is drastically different, your proportions may be
incorrect; hence, no amount of beautiful shading can then save your drawing.
If you are drawing your own hand, constantly examine it as you work; use my illustrations as
guidelines only. Also, my drawing is of my left hand; if you are drawing your right hand, the
whole hand, including the fingers and thumb, will be in reverse.
1) Use an HB pencil and very lightly sketch a vertical rectangle to represent the overall
shape of a hand (refer to Illustration 02-05).
2) Divide the rectangle in half to mark the point where the base of the fingers meets the
main section of the hand.
3) Sketch the three largest fingers as in Illustration 02-06.
ILLUSTRATION 02-05 ILLUSTRATION 02-06

I often use
straight (rather
than curved)
lines to establish
the proportions
of hands.
Pay attention to
the lengths of
the fingers and
the position of
each in relation
to the others.
If you are
drawing from
my sketch, use
the sides of the
upper rectangle,
as well as
positive and
negative spaces
to help you
measure
proportions.
The thumb will
be added later.
-5-
Place a piece of clean paper under your hand as you draw (better the
drawer than the drawee!). Each time you work on a new section, remember to move
your paper so it’s always under your hand. This prevents you from smudging your
drawing, and protects the paper from the oils in your skin.
4) Lightly sketch the little finger (refer to Illustration 02-07).
5) Outline the edge of the hand that is on the same side as the little finger.
6) Sketch two lines to represent the outside edges of the wrist as in Illustration 02-08.
ILLUSTRATION 02-07 ILLUSTRATION 02-08
-6-
ILLUSTRATION 02-09
7) Sketch the outline of the thumb as in

Illustration 02-09.
Pay special attention to tiny line where the
thumb is attached to the main section of
the hand.
Also, note the angle and the length of the
line where the base of the thumb attaches
to the wrist.
ILLUSTRATION 02-10
8) Add circular shapes to represent

the joints of the four fingers as in
Illustration 02-10.
Examine your own fingers and take
note of the locations of each of the
joints.
9) Outline the locations of the four

knuckles with circular shapes.
-7-
ILLUSTRATION 02-11
10) Sketch the outlines of the joints of the

thumb and the partial segments of the
bones of the wrist as in Illustration 02-11.
Before you begin, take a moment and examine
your own knuckles, thumb, and wrist.
ILLUSTRATION 02-12
11) Use your kneaded eraser to pat all your

sketch lines until they are so faint that
you can barely see them (as in
Illustration 02-12).
OUTLINING THE FORMS OF A HAND

In this section, you outline the hand with thin neat lines. Each of the circular shapes you sketched
in the last section represents an independent form. As you draw, constantly refer to my drawings
and your own hand to gain insights into why the lines need to curve around these forms.
Keep your pencils sharpened so your lines stay neat and thin.
-8-
ILLUSTRATION 02-13
12) Use a 2B pencil to neatly outline the fingers,

thumb, and wrist with curved lines.
In this section, you are challenged to heavily
rely on your visual skills; hence, text
instructions are kept to a bare minimum.
Constantly examine your own hand and refer
to the 7 step-by-step drawings (Illustrations
02-13 to 02-19).
ILLUSTRATION 02-14
As an artist, you
need to focus on improving your
ability to identify the exterior
three-dimensional forms of a
hand, as defined by bones, fat,
and muscles, which ultimately is
more important than memorizing
the anatomical names of the
different parts of a hand.
-9-
ILLUSTRATION 02-15
Try using a piece of fine

sandpaper or a sandpaper block to keep
your pencil points nice and sharp.
Pencil sharpeners tend to wear down
pencils very quickly.
ILLUSTRATION 02-16
When drawing a hand

from life, visually break down the
overall shape into smaller shapes as
defined by the individual forms of
the main section of the hand and the
fingers, thumb, and wrist.
Take note of the areas where the
various parts, such as the fingers
and thumb, bend or are extended or
outstretched.
- 10 -
ILLUSTRATION 02-17
Draw slowly. Accuracy is

more important than speed. Your speed
will automatically improve the more you
practice drawing hands.
ILLUSTRATION 02-18
Confirm that the

proportions are drawn correctly by
examining the positive spaces
inside the perimeter of each part of
the hand. Also check out the
shapes and sizes of the negative
spaces behind the hand and in
between each digit.
- 11 -
ILLUSTRATION 02-19
When your drawing is

finished, compare it to
Illustration 02-19.
If you’re not happy with a
section, simply erase it and
draw it again.
Erase any fingerprints,
smudges, and/or sketch
lines that you don’t like with
your kneaded eraser molded
to a point (or a sharp edge
of your vinyl eraser).
Sign your name.

Put today’s date on the
back of your drawing,
and then draw another
100 hands!
☺
- 12 -
BRENDA HODDINOTT - BIOGRAPHY

As a self-educated teacher, visual artist, portraitist, forensic artist, and illustrator, Brenda
Hoddinott utilizes diverse art media including graphite, technical pen, colored pencil, chalk
pastel, charcoal, conté crayon, and oil paints.
My philosophy on teaching art is to focus primarily on the

enjoyment aspects while gently introducing the technical and
academic. Hence, in creating a passion for the subject matter,
the quest for knowledge also becomes enjoyable.
>Brenda Hoddinott<
Born in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Brenda grew up in the small town of Corner Brook. She
developed strong technical competencies with a personal commitment to self directed learning,
and the aid of assorted “Learn to Draw” books. During Brenda’s twenty-five year career as a
self-educated civilian forensic artist, numerous criminal investigation departments have
employed Brenda’s skills, including Royal Canadian Mounted Police and municipal police
departments. In 1992, Brenda was honored with a commendation from the Royal Canadian
Mounted Police, and in 1994, she was awarded a Certificate of Membership from “Forensic
Artists International”.
Her home-based art career included graphic design, and teaching recreational drawing and
painting classes. As supervisor of her community’s recreational art department, Brenda hired and
trained teachers, and designed curriculum for several children’s art programs. In 1998, Brenda
chose to end her eighteen-year career as an art educator in order to devote more time to writing,
drawing, painting, and developing her websites.
Drawspace http://www.drawspace.com incorporates her unique style and innovative approach to
curriculum development. This site offers downloadable and printable drawing classes for
students of all abilities from the age of eight through adult. Students of all ages, levels and
abilities have praised the simple step-by-step instructional approach. These sites are respected as
a resource for fine art educators, home schooling programs, and educational facilities throughout
the world.
LEARN-TO-DRAW BOOKS BY BRENDA HODDINOTT

Drawing for Dummies: Wiley Publishing, Inc., New, York, NY, this 336 page book is available
on various websites and in major bookstores internationally.
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Drawing People: Winner of the Alpha-Penguin Book of the
Year Award 2004, Alpha - Pearson Education – Macmillan, Indianapolis, IN, this 360 page book
is available on various websites and in major bookstores internationally.

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PROPORTIONS

This project offers simple step-by-step illustrated

A drawing of an average hand begins with a

A slender hand with long fingers is based on

Consider using your own

PUTTING PROPORTIONS ON PAPER

3) Sketch the three largest fingers as in Illustration 02-06.

ILLUSTRATION 02-05 ILLUSTRATION 02-06

4) Lightly sketch the little finger (refer to Illustration 02-07).

ILLUSTRATION 02-07 ILLUSTRATION 02-08

7) Sketch the outline of the thumb as in

8) Add circular shapes to represent

9) Outline the locations of the four

10) Sketch the outlines of the joints of the

11) Use your kneaded eraser to pat all your

OUTLINING THE FORMS OF A HAND

12) Use a 2B pencil to neatly outline the fingers,

Try using a piece of fine

When drawing a hand

Draw slowly. Accuracy is

Confirm that the

When your drawing is

Sign your name.

BRENDA HODDINOTT - BIOGRAPHY

My philosophy on teaching art is to focus primarily on the

LEARN-TO-DRAW BOOKS BY BRENDA HODDINOTT

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