The foreshortened view of the hand (fingers coming toward the viewer) can be a daunting assignment for a

student to draw.

The ‘Picture Plane is a mental construct. It is an imaginary transparent plane like a framed window that is always parallel to the ‘plane’ of the artist’s eyes.

What the artist sees on the ‘plane’ is actually extends back into the distance, but the plane allows the artist to see the scene as though it were magically smashed flat on the back of the clear glass plane, much like a photograph.

Look through your viewfinder, and frame a scene that you like compositionally.

Always keep the viewfinder (picture plane) in front of your face. Don’t slant it in any direction.

For practice, use your vis-a-vis marker and draw some of the lines and angles you have ‘framed’ directly onto the viewfinder.

Start the exercise by posing your hand in an interesting position

place the viewfinder over your posed hand place the viewfinder over your posed hand and draw all of the shapes and wrinkles that and draw all of the shapes and wrinkles that

you see onto the viewfinder with youryou see onto the viewfinder with your vis-a-vis pen. vis-a-vis pen.

Remember, that we have binocular vision. That means that Remember, that we have binocular vision. That means that with both eyes open, we see things in three dimensions. If with both eyes open, we see things in three dimensions. If we close one eye, then we see in two dimensions. we close one eye, then we see in two dimensions.

Test this information by holding your hand in front of your Test this information by holding your hand in front of your face and closing one eye; then open that eye and close the face and closing one eye; then open that eye and close the other...did you see your hand move?other...did you see your hand move?

This is why it is important to keep one eye closed often when This is why it is important to keep one eye closed often when you draw, to only see one view. You must also keep your you draw, to only see one view. You must also keep your head still and maintain one position when you draw.head still and maintain one position when you draw.

on your sketch pad, outline the on your sketch pad, outline the edges of your paper templateedges of your paper template

after wearing down the sharp edges of your after wearing down the sharp edges of your graphite stick on another paper, tone your graphite stick on another paper, tone your sketch pad paper within your outline to an sketch pad paper within your outline to an

even medium gray color.even medium gray color.

Use your viewfinder to pinpoint the cross hairs, Use your viewfinder to pinpoint the cross hairs, and then copy them into your toned paper.and then copy them into your toned paper.

Use a paper towel to smooth your ground Use a paper towel to smooth your ground into an even silvery finish.into an even silvery finish.

Place your viewfinder on a piece of Place your viewfinder on a piece of white paper so that your drawn hand white paper so that your drawn hand

can be easily seen.can be easily seen.

now you are ready to transfer the basic information of your hand now you are ready to transfer the basic information of your hand

onto your toned paperonto your toned paper. . Carefully transfer each shape, line and Carefully transfer each shape, line and angle from each quarter of the viewfinder onto the angle from each quarter of the viewfinder onto the

corresponding quarter of your paper. Be sure to compare the corresponding quarter of your paper. Be sure to compare the angles you see against the cross hairs, your vertical and angles you see against the cross hairs, your vertical and

horizontal landmarks. horizontal landmarks.

Now that the basic information is drawn onto your paper, put Now that the basic information is drawn onto your paper, put down the viewfinder and reposition your hand just as it was down the viewfinder and reposition your hand just as it was under the viewfinder. Make sure you have a lamp that can under the viewfinder. Make sure you have a lamp that can

shine on your hand to create high contrasts and a wide range shine on your hand to create high contrasts and a wide range of value for your drawing. Now you can fill in all of the details, of value for your drawing. Now you can fill in all of the details,

wrinkles, lines, highlights and shadows that you seewrinkles, lines, highlights and shadows that you see..

A good technique is to erase out the ground around A good technique is to erase out the ground around the edges of the hand to help it ‘pop out’ into a the edges of the hand to help it ‘pop out’ into a

three-dimensional look. three-dimensional look.

Your eraser is actually another way to define shapes just Your eraser is actually another way to define shapes just like having another pencil...erase out the highlights you like having another pencil...erase out the highlights you

see...the light will be an exact shape...erase it in that see...the light will be an exact shape...erase it in that shape. shape.

Since you have a strong light on your hand, you will also see dark Since you have a strong light on your hand, you will also see dark shadows...be sure to darken them in. Be sure also, to include as shadows...be sure to darken them in. Be sure also, to include as many sensitively drawn lines as you can. The details you include many sensitively drawn lines as you can. The details you include are a critical element of your drawing and will add a great deal are a critical element of your drawing and will add a great deal

toward creating a successful artwork.toward creating a successful artwork.

your finished product might look something like your finished product might look something like this...the artist here continued the rest of the hand this...the artist here continued the rest of the hand

outside of the drawn format...if you think of a way of outside of the drawn format...if you think of a way of infusing some creative element into your piece, by all infusing some creative element into your piece, by all

means, include it!means, include it!

ADDITIONAL EXAMPLESADDITIONAL EXAMPLES

THE ENDTHE END