How to Draw Knuckles
Knuckles are subtle parts of the human form that can be a challenge to draw. In some gestures they are subdued and barely visible, such as when the fingers are outstretched. In other gestures, such as the fist, the knuckles become a dramatic feature. They are so clear and obvious when we look at our hands, yet when we try to draw them, they often look awkward and out of place. By practicing a few basic principles, you can develop essential skills in drawing knuckles.
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Instructions
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Sketch the overall shapes of the hand first. Draw a large shape indicating the body of the hand. Draw a relatively large oval indicating the rounded muscle to which the thumb is attached. Use ovals to indicate the visible segments of the fingers. Notice how all of the fingers have three segments, except the thumb, which has two. Use very simple shapes while focusing on placement and proportion. Structuring the hand properly is the basis for drawing accurate knuckles.
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Sketch lines to indicate each knuckle. If the knuckles are dramatically exposed as in a fist, draw one line for each knuckle to indicate the curved protruding bone. For extended fingers, a few lines can be drawn to indicate the circular distortions in the skin rather than bone. Notice how the middle finger knuckle is the largest. Also notice the arc created by connecting the correlating knuckles of each finger. These curves serve as references for knuckle placement.
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Draw shadows. Knuckles are sometimes best indicated by effective shading rather than hard lines. Flex your fingers and notice the different shadows that contour around your knuckles. In many situations, one side of each knuckle is in more shadow and is thus darker than the other side. Practice sketching these shadows.
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Erase unnecessary marks that do not indicate the essential curves of the knuckles. This technique develops through practice and close observation. Practice by continually erasing and replacing certain lines and marks around the hand and knuckles to see which are the most important. Do not be timid in your drawing process; maintain rhythm with a willingness to draw, erase and adjust. As you develop, you will start to understand how to convey these complex anatomical structures by using only a few simple marks.
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Tips & Warnings
You can practice drawing your own hand or copying from pictures of hands to develop your skills.
Knuckles are some of the most challenging features of the human anatomy to draw. By drawing these complex forms, you are building your overall skill in drawing.
Look at anatomical pictures of the hand that show bones and muscles. These will help you understand the interior structure.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit BananaStock/BananaStock/Getty Images
