How to Draw Realistic Hands

Almost all artists agree that the hand is the most difficult to draw and to perfect. It is a very unique part of our human body. Let's begin!

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

A Cartoon Hand

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    Draw an oval on the right hand bottom corner.
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    Drag a couple of straight lines from the right edge of the oval to the extreme end of the paper for the wrist.
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    Create 5 straight lines as shown for the fingers.
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    Create a horizontal oval each for the middle, ring and the smallest finger.
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    Similarly draw another oval for the pointing finger as well.
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    In the end make another oval for the thumb.
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    Join straight lines from the ovals of the pointing finger and the thumb to the edge of the big palm-oval.
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    Draw the pointing hand with details.
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    Color the hand.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

A Realistic Hand

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    Create a box at the base of the screen.
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    Attach a shape similar to the one shown with curved lines.
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    Make a larger curve similar to the curvature at a distance.
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    Join the two curved lines with four straight lines.
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    Join further straight lines to the earlier four lines at minimum angles and add a small line on the top right corner of the curve below to complete the guides of the fingers.
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    On the axis of the lines draw rectangular boxes tapered at the tips.
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    Draw every detail of the hand.
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    Color the drawing.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

A Lady’s Hand

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    Draw a mediums-size circle for the framework of the back of the palm.
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    Draw two circles of ascending sizes which share the same base point with the first.
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    Draw using straight lines the framework for the fingers and the wrist.
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    Draw the fingers using straight lines which border the framework. Draw also the back of the palm.
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    Draw the fingers and the pal using curve lines to refine the drawing.
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    Add the details for the fingernails and the back of the hand.
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    Trace with a pen and erase unnecessary sketches.
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    Color to your liking!
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

A Gentleman’s Hand

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    Draw a vertical oblong to provide framework for the hand.
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    Draw a vertical straight line at the midpoint of the oblong. Draw the wrist using straight lines.
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    Draw the framework for the thumb using straight lines and a curve concave to the left.
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    Draw the framework for the fingers using straight lines.
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    Refine the drawing of the thumb and hand using curve lines and add details for the fingernail.
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    Trace with a pen and erase unnecessary sketches. Add details for the fingers.
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    Color to your liking!
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    Are there any proportions of the palm to the fingers?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    The palm and fingers are about the same length realistically; however, they can be modified depending on your artistic style.
  • Question
    How do I draw the fingers without making them look too big?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Just like anything else, it takes lots of practice. Use tutorials and articles like this one and practice drawing your own hand. It will take some time, but you will get the hang of it.
  • Question
    How do I draw a hand reaching for something?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Draw method 2 ("A Realistic Hand"), but modify it a bit. Make the wrist and the arm turned horizontally, so that the hand seems to be reaching forward.
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Things You'll Need

  • Paper
  • Pencil
  • Pencil sharpener
  • Eraser
  • Colored pencils, crayons, markers or watercolors

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About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 21 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 247,001 times.
181 votes - 57%
Co-authors: 21
Updated: June 2, 2021
Views: 247,001
Categories: Drawing Body Parts
Article SummaryX

To draw realistic hands, start by drawing a box at the bottom of your page for the wrist, then add a rectangular shape with 2 rounded edges for the back of the hand to the top of the box. Next, draw a curved line outside of the rounded edge and connect the 2 lines with 4 straight lines, which will be the fingers. Extend the finger lines and add rectangular boxes at the ends of them, for the fingertips. Once the fingertips are added, round out the rectangular boxes, and erase any remaining guidelines. Finally, add details like fingernails, and color in the hand. To learn how to draw cartoon hands, keep reading!

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