Week 12: Jean

A Discussion on Proportion

Jean

Using graphite F, HB and 2B on Arches 300gsm Hot Press Jean has made a good effort in drawing her left hand in an upright position. She found it difficult to hold the pose and found the proportions tricky. 

If you look at the finger section of her drawing, it is pretty good. The first phalanges (bit between knuckle and first joint) is a tad long, but from memory Jean has long, slender fingers. The tonal range is somewhat light but still works and she has observed the creases, wrinkles and nails well.

However, when you see the entire drawing you can see that she has not quite got te proportions of the fingers in relationship to the palm correct.  There is very little palm at all, the fingers go practically right to the wrist joint.

'Hand' by Jean

The length of the palm will be almost the same length of that of the middle finger. The width of the palm extends to the outer edge of the thumb and tapers gradually to the wrist. In this pose I believe you would also be able to see the tips of the missing two fingers behind the middle finger. Did you have the chance to read the link to BrentEv iston's hints HERE in the first post, Jean? If you were to begin by concentrating on gesture, blocks and cylinders your hand structure would be something like this:

Rough of Jeans hand showing 'Block and Cylinder' with the addition of missing fingers

I have just found another good guide worth looking at by Alina on drawing hands and proportions, have a look HERE.

Jean, it is a good attempt. As I said, the fingers/thumb are drawn well. I would hope this critique doesn't discourage you from attempting hands again. In fact, try another drawing, only this time rest your posing hand in a surface rather than holding it upright. This will allow you to concentrate on the shapes better as your posing hand will not move position too much or get too tired. I would love to see another drawing from you if you have the time!