Mastering Drawing Anime Hands: A Step-by-Step Guide

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 10 July 2023 6 min read

Welcome to your step-by-step guide to mastering the art of drawing anime hands. This guide is designed to take you through the whole process, from getting your tools ready right up to adding the final touches. By the end of it, you'll have a good understanding of how to draw anime hands, no matter the pose or gesture. So, let's get started!

1. Getting Your Tools Ready

Before we begin, it's important to have the right tools at your disposal. This doesn't mean you need the most expensive art supplies out there. Rather, you should focus on getting tools that are fit for the task at hand—drawing anime hands. Here are some essential tools you might need:

Choosing the Right Pencil

Not all pencils are made equal! For anime drawings, a great choice is the 2B pencil. This pencil is perfect for sketching and shading. Plus, it's not too hard or too soft, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced artists. Remember, the key here is control and precision—traits that a 2B pencil offers in heaps!

Finding a Good Sketchbook

Next up, you need a place to let your creativity shine—the sketchbook. But what makes a good sketchbook? For starters, it should have a smooth surface to make drawing easier. It should also be durable enough to withstand erasure. Strathmore's Sketch Pad is a great option, with its 60 lb. papers that are excellent for sketching with any kind of pencil.

Picking Quality Erasers

Last but not least, let's talk erasers. A good eraser does more than just remove mistakes—it helps you refine your work. Look for non-smudge erasers, like the Prismacolor Magic Rub, which can remove lines without leaving smudges or damaging your paper. Remember, even the best artists rely on erasers to perfect their work!

Now that you have your tools ready, you're all set to start drawing anime hands!

2. Learning Basic Hand Anatomy

Before diving into drawing anime hands, it's important to get a grasp on basic hand anatomy. Understanding the underlying structure of hands can make your drawings more realistic, even when you're going for a stylized anime look. Let's take a closer look.

Exploring the Bones

The human hand has 27 bones. Sounds complicated? Don't worry! For drawing purposes, you can simplify this structure into basic shapes. Think of the palm as a square and each finger as a series of cylinders. The thumb is a bit different—it's a shorter cylinder attached to the side of the square. This basic framework will be a great starting point for drawing anime hands.

Looking at the Muscles

Next, let's talk about muscles. They add volume to the hand and help define its shape. Notice how the palm bulges slightly in the middle? That's because of the muscles that control the fingers and thumb. Make sure to capture these subtleties in your drawings to add depth and realism.

Observing the Skin

Lastly, don't forget the skin! It folds, creases, and stretches in certain places, like at the knuckles and the base of the fingers. Including these details will make your anime hands look more convincing. Plus, it can be a fun way to emphasize expressions and gestures!

By understanding these basics of hand anatomy, you'll have a solid foundation to build upon. Now, let's move on to the exciting part—drawing anime hands in different poses!

3. Mastering Anime Hand Poses

With a solid understanding of the anatomy of hands, you're ready to start drawing anime hands in various poses. Anime is known for its expressive characters and dynamic action scenes, and the hands play a major role in conveying emotions and actions. Let's practice drawing some of the most common anime hand poses.

Drawing Relaxed Hands

Relaxed hands are a good starting point. They're the hands at rest, neither clenched in a fist nor reaching out for something. Here, the fingers are slightly curled, and the thumb is loosely resting against the side of the hand. Keep this natural curve in mind, and remember the basic shapes you learned earlier. Start with the square palm and cylindrical fingers, then add details like knuckles and creases. Before you know it, you'll be drawing anime hands like a pro!

Sketching Action Poses

Next up are action poses. These can be anything from a clenched fist to a hand reaching out to grab something. The key here is to show movement and tension. Pay close attention to the way the fingers bend and the muscles bulge. Don't be afraid to exaggerate a bit—it's anime after all! These dynamic hand poses can add a lot of excitement to your drawings.

Creating Expressive Gestures

Finally, let's try some expressive gestures. These are the poses that convey emotion—everything from a waving hand to a peace sign. In anime, these gestures often carry a lot of meaning. For example, a character might hold up a finger to make a point, or clasp their hands together in excitement. Remember to keep the anatomy of the hand in mind, but also to let your imagination run wild. After all, anime is all about creativity and expression!

Mastering these different poses will take your anime hand drawings to the next level. But we're not done yet—let's add some details and shading to make your drawings really pop!

4. Adding Details and Shading

You've got the basic form down, now let's step it up a notch. Adding details and shading to your anime hands can make them look more realistic and visually interesting. Let's dive into how you can do this.

Highlighting the Knuckles

Let's start with the knuckles. They are the joints of the fingers and can tell a lot about what the hand is doing. When the hand is clenched, the knuckles stand out, while in a relaxed hand, they are less noticeable. To highlight the knuckles, use a slightly darker shade than the rest of the hand. This will make them stand out and give your hand drawing a more three-dimensional appearance.

Shading the Palm

Next, let's move on to the palm. The palm is a bit tricky because it's a large, flat surface, but by adding some shading, you can give it depth and form. Start by marking the areas that are naturally darker, like under the thumb and the base of the fingers. Then, use a softer pencil to add a light shadow over the entire palm. This will give your anime hand a sense of depth and volume.

Detailing the Fingers

Finally, let's talk about detailing the fingers. This is where you can really let your creativity shine. From the unique pattern of the fingerprints to the subtle wrinkles on the knuckles, every detail you add makes your drawing more unique and realistic. You can even add some lines to represent veins if you want to go a bit more detailed.

With the right tools and techniques, you can master the art of drawing anime hands. But before you put your pencil down, there's one more step—polishing and finalizing your drawing.

5. Polishing and Finalizing Your Drawing

Now comes the final step in our drawing anime hands guide—polishing and finalizing your drawing. This is where you take a step back, scrutinize your work, and make any necessary tweaks to bring your drawing to life.

Checking for Proportions

First things first, let's check for proportions. Are the fingers the correct length in relation to the palm? Does the thumb look too big or too small? By comparing each element to the others, you can ensure that your anime hand is well-proportioned and looks natural. Don't be afraid to make corrections—remember, perfection comes with practice.

Reworking Areas if Needed

Next, check if any areas need reworking. Perhaps the shading on the palm is too dark, or the fingers could use more detail. Don't shy away from making changes. It's all part of the process. After all, Rome wasn't built in a day, and your anime hand drawing is no different.

Adding Final Touches

Finally, it's time for the fun part—adding final touches. This could be anything from a flashy ring on a finger to a cool tattoo on the back of the hand. These little details can add personality and flair to your drawing, making it truly your own.

And voila! You've successfully navigated the process of drawing anime hands. With practice and patience, you'll soon be creating hands that can express as much emotion and character as any face in your anime drawings. Remember, every artist has their own unique style, so let yours shine through in your work. Happy drawing!

If you've enjoyed learning how to draw anime hands and want to take your illustrations to the next level, don't miss the workshop 'Digitising Handmade Illustrations' by Jola Pictures. This workshop will teach you how to digitise your handmade illustrations, giving them a professional and polished look. Enhance your skills and unlock new opportunities in the world of digital art.