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Hands without fear

Four steps on the part everyone avoids drawing.

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  1. 1

    The palm as a box

    Draw the hand as a flat box with a wedge for the thumb, and stop there. Do it six times. Fingers are a later problem.

    Carletto Caliari - Studies of Hands (recto) - 1929.549.a - Cleveland Museum of Art — Carletto Caliari Carletto Caliari - Studies of Hands (recto)… Carletto Caliari Study of right hand of Erasmus, with sketch of face, by Hans Holbein the Younger — Hans Holbein the Younger Study of right hand of Erasmus, with sketch… Hans Holbein the Younger Study of Two Hands — Jacob de Wit Study of Two Hands Jacob de Wit Study of Hands (recto); Study for a Reclining St. Francis (verso) — Daniele Crespi Study of Hands (recto); Study for a… Daniele Crespi Study of Hands for "Christ Among the Doctors" — Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres Study of Hands for "Christ Among the Doctors" Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres Carlo Dolci - Pair of hands crossed, resting on a book — Carlo Dolci Carlo Dolci - Pair of hands crossed, resting… Carlo Dolci
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  2. 2

    Fingers as cylinders

    Each finger is three tapering tubes with hinges that only bend one way. Draw the knuckle arc first: it is a curve, never a straight line.

    Horatio Greenough, Right Hand Holding Short Rod, 1847, NGA 56996 — Horatio Greenough Horatio Greenough, Right Hand Holding Short… Horatio Greenough Horatio Greenough, Right Hand Holding Short Rod, 1847, NGA 56997 — Horatio Greenough Horatio Greenough, Right Hand Holding Short… Horatio Greenough Horatio Greenough, Study of a Hand, NGA 56995 — Horatio Greenough Horatio Greenough, Study of a Hand, NGA 56995 Horatio Greenough Ingres - MI.867.1003, Alexandre — Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres Ingres - MI.867.1003, Alexandre Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres Ingres - MI.867.1011, Longin — Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres Ingres - MI.867.1011, Longin Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres Ingres - MI.867.1012, Longin — Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres Ingres - MI.867.1012, Longin Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres
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  3. 3

    Tendons and gesture

    A hand expresses as much as a face. Copy these keeping the whole hand as one gesture: if it reads from across the room, it is right.

    Nicolas de Largillière - Study of Hands - WGA12468 — Nicolas de Largillière Nicolas de Largillière - Study of Hands -… Nicolas de Largillière Peter Paul Rubens - Study sheet with arms and hands — Peter Paul Rubens Peter Paul Rubens - Study sheet with arms… Peter Paul Rubens Sir Anthony Van Dyck, Study of a Bearded Man with Hands Raised — Anthony van Dyck Sir Anthony Van Dyck, Study of a Bearded Man… Anthony van Dyck Anthony van Dyck -Head of a boy with clasped hands, a study for Suffer Little Children to Come unto Me - c1618 — Anthony van Dyck Anthony van Dyck -Head of a boy with clasped… Anthony van Dyck Leonardo da Vinci - RCIN 912558, A study of a woman's hands c.1490 — Leonardo da Vinci Leonardo da Vinci - RCIN 912558, A study of… Leonardo da Vinci Leonardo da Vinci - Study of hands - WGA12812 — Leonardo da Vinci Leonardo da Vinci - Study of hands - WGA12812 Leonardo da Vinci
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  4. 4

    Precision: Dürer

    Now earn the detail. Follow the direction of every stroke Dürer makes: the hatching itself describes the form turning.

    Self-portrait, Study of a Hand and a Pillow (recto); Six Studies of Pillows (verso) MET DP282110 — Albrecht Dürer Self-portrait, Study of a Hand and a Pillow… Albrecht Dürer Dürer, Albrecht - Hand Study with Bible - 1506 — Albrecht Dürer Dürer, Albrecht - Hand Study with Bible - 1506 Albrecht Dürer Albrecht Dürer, Self-portrait, Study of a Hand and a Pillow (MET 1975.1.862 recto) — Albrecht Dürer Albrecht Dürer, Self-portrait, Study of a… Albrecht Dürer Albrecht Dürer, Six Studies of Pillows (MET 1975.1.862 verso) — Albrecht Dürer Albrecht Dürer, Six Studies of Pillows (MET… Albrecht Dürer
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