Art 109-02 Figure Drawing

Sketch Book Assignment Janette Hopper

· Draw five hands:
1. In five different positions
2. Starting with larger shapes and then refine them
3. Use strong light source to show volume, changes in planes
4. Use full range of value from black to white
5. Use whole sheet of paper

· Start now to give yourself time to do a good job.

· Eraser marks are ok

· Good proportions are important

Each finger section, with the exception of the thumb, divides at two-thirds the length of the preceding section.
For instance, in the index finger, the first section phalanx I is a third longer than middle phalanx II -
or the other way round - phalanx II is two-thirds as long as phalanx I; the smallest, phalanx III, is,
therefore, two-thirds as long as phalanx II. This measuring system applies to all the four fingers of the hand.
The thumb, however, is simpler: its two sections, phalanges I and II are of equal lengths.
Fingernail lengths lie across the mid-point of the terminal finger sections, phalanx III of each finger, including the thumb.

Measurements. The length of the hand measures three-quarters the length of the head, or the
distance from chin to hairline on the face; the width of the hand measures the distance from nose to chin.
The finger lengths derive their measurements according to the middle third finger of the hand. It is the
longest finger and is equal to the length of the palm. Thus, using the middle finger as the norm, the lengths
of the index finger and the fourth finger end at the base of the fingernail of the middle finger, while the little
finger ends at the second finger joint of the fourth finger. The thumb wedge starts in the mid-position of the palm.
The first joint lines up with the knuckles of the palm and then ends at the position of the first knuckle of the index finger.