How to Draw a Hand (Easy Step by Step)
A waving hand is a friendly picture to draw, and it is built from just a few simple shapes. Each finger is a long rounded tube, the thumb is a slanted sausage, and the cuff is a plain rectangle. Once you can draw the fingers, you can draw a hand in any pose.
- Easy
- 10 minutes
- 7 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a hand step by step
How to Draw a Hand · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Finger side and thumb
Start near the top and draw a short curved hook, then pull a straight line down for the left side of the first finger. At the bottom of that line, turn out to the left and draw a slanted thumb with a rounded tip, ending with a long line sloping down and to the right.
Step 2: The tallest finger
Next to the first finger, draw the tallest finger like an upside-down U. Pull both long sides straight down so they stop partway down the hand.
Step 3: The ring finger
Right of the tall finger, draw a rounded top that is a little lower, starting from the tall finger's side. Then draw a short straight line down from the right end of that curve.
Step 4: Little finger and side
Draw a small rounded bump for the little finger, starting next to the ring finger. Then draw one long, gently curved line down from it to make the outside edge of the hand.
Step 5: The sleeve cuff
At the bottom, draw a wide rectangle with rounded corners for the cuff. The thumb line and the side of the hand both end where they touch its top edge.
Step 6: Lines on the palm
In the middle of the palm, draw two short curved lines that look like gentle smiles. Place one a little higher and to the left of the other.
Step 7: Wiggle lines
Draw a wavy line on each side of the hand, like curly brackets. They show the hand waving hello.
All done!
Go over your lines with a marker, then color it in.
Finished your hand? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw lips or how to draw a smiley face next.
Tips for drawing a hand
- The fingers are the trickiest part. Draw each one with a rounded top and straight sides, and make the tallest finger the one in the middle.
- Let the straight finger lines stop partway down the hand. The next finger's rounded top starts right beside the one before it.
- Draw the thumb as a slanted sausage that points out to the left and slopes down. It is the first thing you draw, so give it plenty of room.
Free hand coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this hand coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your hand drawing
Try a warm peach, tan, or brown for the skin, and pick a bright color for the cuff, like blue or red. For a creative twist, give the cuff stripes or polka dots, or color the wiggle lines in a rainbow.
Hand fun fact for kids
Each human hand has 27 bones, including the bones in the wrist.
Questions about drawing a hand
What shapes do I need to draw a hand?
You need long rounded shapes for the fingers and thumb, a big open area for the palm, and a rectangle for the cuff. Two curved lines finish the palm.
How do I make fingers look the right length?
Make the tallest finger the one in the middle. Then make the fingers next to it a little shorter, and the little finger the shortest.
How do I make my hand look like it is waving?
Add wavy lines on both sides of the hand. They look like little shakes in the air and make the hand seem to move.
