Success in Art: Drawing Hands & Feet

SECTION II

Anatomy of Hands & Feet

Because most major hand and foot muscles originate in the forearms and lower legs, we must begin with the forearms and lower legs to fully understand the anatomy of the hands and feet.

“First we draw what we see; then we draw what we know; finally, we see what we know…”

—Robert Beverly Hale

Anatomy of the Forearm

Muscles of the forearm whose tendons insert into the hand are called extrinsic muscles. The muscles of the hand itself are called intrinsic muscles. The extrinsic forearm muscles are divided into three main groups: flexors, extensors, and ridge muscles.

Bones The underlying skeletal structure determines ...