How to Draw a Knuckle

Knuckles display complex rings of wrinkled skin.

For many centuries, portrait painters received more money for commissions that included the hands of the sitter. This practice demonstrates the difficulty of painting hands, even for skilled, professional artists. One of the most tricky areas of anatomy for the artist lies in the knuckle portion of the hand. If drawn with rigid lines, or unbending straightness, knuckles look tense and unnatural. Allowing your pencil to flow freely in loose, curving lines adds believability and gracefulness.

Instructions

1. Study the hand that you wish to draw. Note its size and age. Observe shadows caused by folds in the flesh.

2. Draw a small, loose circle to represent the bone of the knuckle.

3. Extend two lines from the sides of the circle to represent the finger. Keep these lines curving, smooth and fluid.

4. Shade inside of the circle to represent wrinkles on the flesh. Use arching and curving lines to represent these wrinkles. Lay your pencil tip on its side and shade softly on top of these lines to achieve a naturalistic effect.

5. Shade around the circle with soft pencil strokes in crescent or semicircular shapes. Soften these strokes by laying your pencil tip on its side to add shadows.

Tips & Warnings

• If drawing the knuckles at the base of the fingers on the hand, use bold lines of shadows inside of the circle to suggest the tendons underneath the skin.

References

• Draw in Black: How to Draw Hands