APSAPriory2013: Breadth #2 Expressive Hands

Expressive Hands

I “borrowed” this lesson from Ms King at Mount Eden High school, it is from her professor at the Maryland Institute, College of Art. His name is Abby Sangiamo. Please adapt to YOUR portfolio needs, 2D or 3D, it is very drawing friendly.

http://abbysangiamo.com/artistsNotes.html

Process:

Select one of the options below. Use Pen & Ink, Conté Crayon, or Soft Pastel or Oil Pastel. You may choose color using realistic skin tones or crazy colors or B/W.
Option One:  1 GIANT hand- at least 5 to 6 times larger than life
Instructions:
1.  The position of the hand must be “difficult”- fingers bent, slanted, foreshortened, etc.  No fists, open palms, etc.
2.  The hand may be holding something- but make it a significant object and it can't be so large that it hides too much of the hand.
3.  Don’t forget about the negative space- the space around and behind the hand.  Put something in the background- a tone, a pattern, something!
4.  As always, contrast is important.
Some Examples of this option:

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Option Two: 2 Big hands- at least 2 times larger life
Instructions:
1. Hands must be touching or interacting in some way. They may overlap, interlock, clasp, snuggle, etc. If the hands don't at least overlap, it will affect your grade.
2. Use the positioning of the 2 hands to tell a story, show meaning or convey emotion.
3. Consider contrasting expressions or character in the hands- tense vs. relaxed, active vs. passive, bony and angular vs. fleshy and round, rough vs. smooth, old vs. young, etc.
4. Don’t forget about the negative space- the space around and behind the hands. Put something in the background- a tone, a pattern, something!
5. As always, contrast is important.
Some Examples of this option:

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Option Two: 5 hands- slightly larger life

1. Explore a variety of hand positions. Draw each one from a very different angle and have each hand doing something very different.

2. Create firm, solid forms with a clear sense of the structural anatomy and volume. Use block, cylinders, planes freely to help figure out the structure and firm-up forms.

3. Explore different approaches and various degrees of finish. There’s no need to draw them all the same way; a little variety is a good thing.

4. Arrange the hands to compose the whole page in an aesthetically pleasing way. Composition is vital.

5. Don’t forget about the negative space- the space around and behind the hands. Put something in the background- a tone, a pattern, something!

6. As always, contrast is important.

Some Examples of this option:

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VARSITY Option: hands in action- size determined by # of hands
Instructions:
For this option you may include more of the arms and body to make the action clear. Objects may also be included.
Some Examples of this option:

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