How to Draw Holding Hands

Holding hands is a form of nonverbal communication, a gesture whose meaning varies widely depending on culture.

Children from various parts of the world hold hands in friendship or in play. Certain rhyming games, such as “Ring Around the Rosy” and “Red Rover” involve hand holding. Parents hold their children’s hands, often as a means of protection, authority or control. For example, a parent may hold a child’s hand while in a public place or while crossing a street in order to keep the child close and protect him from potential dangers.

In North America, hand holding among adults is typically seen as a romantic gesture, indulged in by couples who are dating or married.

In many other countries, however, adults may hold hands as a sign of friendship or respect. For example, in 2005, Americans were shocked to see photos of then-president George W. Bush holding hands with the crown prince of Saudi Arabia. This adult hand holding is traditional in parts of the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Mediterranean region.

At protests, demonstrators sometimes hold hands as a sign of solidarity. This is called a “human chain.” During some protests in Asia, several million people have joined in this hand holding behavior.

Would you like to draw a set of hands in a warm embrace? Doing so is easy when you use this simple, step-by-step drawing tutorial. All you will need is a pencil, a sheet of paper, and an eraser. You may also wish to use colored pencils, markers, paints, or other tools to shade your finished drawing.

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​Step by Step Instructions for Drawing​ ​​Holding Hands

1. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Begin by sketching the first arm. Draw two diagonal, parallel curved lines. Notice the angle in the top line that indicates the curve of the wrist.

2. ​Extend a long, curved line from the bottom of the arm. Double the line back upon itself, outlining the thumb.

3. ​​​​​​​​​​From the thumb, extend another long, curved line. Double the line back upon itself, forming the pointer finger. Notice the angle formed by the nearly straight lines of the top of the finger. This indicates the bent knuckle.

4. ​​​​​​Draw a curved line upwards from the finger, beginning between the fingertip and first knuckle. Follow the curvature of the pointer finger, forming the middle finger. From the middle finger, extend a similarly curved line to form the ring finger. From the ring finger, extend a curved line to form the pinkie finger. Allow this line to connect with the wrist, completely enclosing the hand.

5.​ ​​​​​​​​Next, begin to draw the fingers of the second hand. Enclose two elongate rounded shapes, one smaller than the other, overlapping the hand and pointer finger.

​6. ​​​​​​​Enclose two more elongate rounded shapes, overlapping the hand and thumb.

​7. ​​​​​Extend a curved line from the base of the thumb. Allow the line to cross over into the thumb, doubling back upon itself until it almost connects outside the hand. This forms the thumb of the second hand.

​8.​​​ ​Erase the guide lines that cross the fingers.

9.​​ ​​​​​Extend a pair of parallel, diagonal lines in the opposite direction from the first, outlining the wrist and arm of the second hand. Use a few short, curved lines to designate the palm at the base of the wrist. Then, detail your hands. Enclose the rounded shapes of fingernails at the tips of the fingers. Draw short, curved lines to indicate the curve of each knuckle, both on the fingers and on the back of the hand.

​10. ​​​Color your hands.

Would you like to draw additional symbols of love? Check out our drawing tutorials for hearts, teddy bears, roses, and more

This drawing tutorial was originally posted on Easy Drawing Guides > How to Draw Holding Hands