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 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 - 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. 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 - 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. 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 - 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 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 - 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. 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 - 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. 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 - 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. 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 - 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. 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 - 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. [...]... 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... 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 Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and... 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... 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!... 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... 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... 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... 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 - 12 - BRENDA HODDINOTT - BIOGRAPHY As a self-educated teacher,... 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 . Book of the Year Award 2004, Alpha - Pearson Education – Macmillan, Indianapolis, IN, this 360 page book is available on various websites and in major. 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.