Why are we drawing hands? List three possible reasons that you can think of for drawing hands.

Response check… Did you think of any of these reasons or ideas?  to practice - hands are complex forms  Even artists have difficulty drawing hands and often do hand studies in preparation for larger finished works  For reviewing and strengthening observational drawing skills

Some famous hands See if you recognize the artist

Do you know this artist?

M. C. Escher  Maurits Cornelis Escher (17 June 1898 – 27 March 1972), usually referred to as M.C. Escher (IPA: [' ɛ sjər]).  He was a Dutch graphic artist. He is known for his often mathematically-inspired woodcuts, lithographs, and mezzotints.  These feature impossible constructions, explorations of infinity, architecture, and tessellations.

M. C. Escher  Hand with Reflecting Mirror, 1935  A self-portrait on a spherical surface  Notice the tonal changes in this work.  Although the background is reflected in the sphere, there seems to be no foreground… why?

What about this artist?

Leonardo da Vinci  April 15, 1452 – May 2, 1519  He was an Italian polymath, being a scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, painter, sculptor, architect, botanist, musician and writer.

polymath  (Greek, polymathēs, πολυμαθής, "having learned much")  This is a person whose knowledge is not restricted to one subject area. In less formal terms, a polymath may simply refer to someone who is very knowledgeable.  Most ancient scientists were polymaths by today’s standards.

Was this sculpture a possible inspiration for da Vinci’s work? Andrea del Verrocchio, Lady with a Bunch of Flowers, c. 1475, marble, Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence

More da Vinci work and sketches with similar poses

A page from one of his Notebooks  Leonardo da Vinci was interested in the study of human anatomy  Da Vinci's Notebooks contain thoughts, ideas, and tips.  The Notebooks are over 1,500 pages filled with all sorts of information. It's a fascinating glimpse into the mind of one of history's great figures.

Do you know this artist?

Albrecht Dürer  Born May 21, 1471, Imperial Free City of Nürnberg [Germany]  Died April 6, 1528, Nürnberg  German painter, printmaker, draughtsman and art theorist, generally regarded as the greatest German Renaissance artist.  The artist’s self-portrait, frankly idealized into a Christlike image, may have been meant by the artist to remind viewers that an artist's creative spirit is God-given.

Who is the artist?

The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel (1508–1512)

Michelangelo  Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni  March 6, 1475 – February 18, 1564  Commonly known as Michelangelo  He was an Italian Renaissance painter, sculptor, architect, poet, and engineer.  He is often considered a contender for the title of the archetypal Renaissance man, along with his rival and fellow Italian Leonardo da Vinci.

Do you notice anything awkward in these early works of this artist?

Check proportion of hands

Vincent van Gogh  30 March 1853 – 29 July 1890  He was a Dutch Post-Impressionist artist.  Although van Gogh only sold one painting in his lifetime, some of his paintings are now among the world's best known, most popular and expensive works of art.

Post Impressionist?  Post-Impressionists extended Impressionism while rejecting its limitations  They continued using vivid colors, thick application of paint, distinctive brushstrokes and real-life subject matter  They were more inclined to emphasize geometric forms, to distort form for expressive effect, and to use unnatural or arbitrary color.

Impressionism  An art movement and style of painting that started in France during the 1860s.  Impressionist artists tried to paint candid glimpses of their subjects showing the effects of sunlight on things at different times of day.

Van Gogh had trouble drawing hands, so what did he do about it?

Should he have just given up?

Have you tried using these attitudes when tackling something difficult?  Motivation, drive  Dedication  Enthusiasm  Preparing, exercising, training  PRESEVERANCE  DETERMINATION

Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam

More Van Gogh hand studies Maybe similar to some of yours?

Do you know this African-American artist?

Charles White  African-American Social Realist Painter,

Social Realism  Social Realism is a type of American realism which is more overtly political in content, critical of society, marked by its realistic depiction of social problems.  The greatest impact of this art movement was felt in the first half of the twentieth century.

Preacher, 1952, Ink on cardboard, 21" X 29" Whitney Museum of American Art

Charles White – stylized drawings

stylize  To stylize is to alter natural shapes, forms, colors, or textures in order to make a representation in a preset style or manner.  The design of any work tends to result in its having a style, and its having been freely chosen is one aspect of its appeal.

Summary  Through the centuries artists have been interested in drawing the human form.  Its complexity and close proximity has made it an intriguing subject that is readily available for artists to study.  After practicing and studying, artists may develop they’re own style in drawing anatomy.