How to Draw Hands and Fingers in Manga Anime Illustration Style : Drawing Tutorial

Today I will show you methods to drawing illustrated hands and fingers. Although I call this a Manga / Anime drawing lesson, it applies to cartooning and illustration as well. The following tutorial includes several approaches to drawing hands, fingers, as well as the differences between male and female hands. Have fun.

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How to Draw Hands and Fingers in Manga / Anime Illustration Style : Drawing Tutorial

Method 1 : Drawing Hands and Fingers

Step 1 (ab0ve)  … Start by drawing a vertical rectangle and divide it into 2 equal division horizontally.

Step 2  (ab0ve)  …  Next is to draw a vertical line for the middle finger.

Step 3 (ab0ve) …  Having the middle finger as a guideline, create more slightly slanting vertical line for the rest of the fingers. It is always good to look at your own hand as a reference. Try to observe the height or length differences of each finger, the middle are most likely to be longer of all five fingers.

When constructing, it is always better to think square. This helps massing out the guidelines more easier.

Make use of the guidelines as you begin to form the actual hand structure. See the pictures above for reference. Try to observe your own fingers and see how each fingers may vary in size and width. The thumb is the thickest while the pinky (baby finger) is the thinnest.

Be aware of this muscle group of the hand (palm).

Following the curve lines reveals the alignment of each finger.

Method 2 : Drawing Hands and Fingers

Another simple approach to constructing hands.

And again with a different hand pose.

Differences Between Male and Female Hands and Fingers

Hand styles are affected greatly by gender and age. Considering these factors can make a difference to the hand. The example above shows the difference between a male (right) and female (left) hand.

The distinction between male and female hands can be found in the manner of how it is being drawn. Since both hands have the same constructions method, outlining the hand properly can tell whether a hand belongs to a male or female.

Looking at the illustration above, compare the two hands. On the left, it is most likely to be feminine and belongs to a female. One thing to notice is how the outline forms the hand. On female’s hand, it’s quite smaller, fingers thinner pointed, and nails longer. The manner of outlining the female hand is smoother and with less or without too much cornered edges as compared to a male hand. These are some characteristics of a female hand.

Of all the feminine aspects of the female hand, male hands are completely the opposite. The outline has many cornered edges, showing the prominent muscles in the hand (what gives male hands bulk). This is most obvious on adult male hands. Some features of male hands include wider fingers, compared to female’s shorter and not pointed fingernails. Also, on male hands, veins are more likely to be exposed.

Observe and try to experiment on these fingers. Notice the differences between the two, from the shape of the fingers to the fingernails.

Drawing Fingers : How to Draw Fingers

Try to imagine a cylinder when drawing fingers. This makes foreshortening easier.

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