Sarah from Northport sent a question to the elves:  how do you draw hands on a small but important character who is the main focus of that image?

Dorothea, The Story Elves workshop secretary, took this question directly to illustrator elf, Betsy.  Betsy had to think about it.

The middle finger is the longest digit.  It is also the same length as your palm.

Now, once you understand the main dimensions of the hand, you can begin simplifying. Think in outlines and silhouettes. In outlines and silhouettes, the details of the hand are not included, especially from a distance.

Simplification is the way to create small hands…

Hand gesture is actually an important way to express what a character is doing or thinking. If you show even just a silhouette from afar, and the silhouette is done well, you can tell a lot about what the character is doing and thinking…