How to Draw a Skeleton Hand
In this drawing lesson, we’re gonna focus on how you can draw a skeleton hand coming out of the ground. So yeah, it's gonna be a perfect scene for Halloween! You’ll learn step-by-step how each part of the hand connects, while also bringing the scene together with thematic elements like fallen leaves and a tombstone. I'll be dropping some anatomy knowledge too...so pay attention to how I'm describing each part of the skeleton hand.
We’ll start by outlining the main features of the skeleton hand, from the wrist bone all the way down through the fingertips. I’ll guide you on using colors that really make your drawing pop a bit, light shades for the bones and grounding colors for the background elements. Get ready for some shading tips that'll take your art from basic doodlin’ straight up a level! Let’s make this drawing come alive, and don’t be shy; your creativity is gonna make your drawing totally unique!
Estimated Time: 50 minutes
Level: Intermediate
Materials
- Blank Paper
- Pencil
- Crayons or Colored Pencils
Lesson: How to Draw a Skeleton Hand
Ready for a fun and spooky drawing adventure? In this lesson, we’re gonna break down how you can create a detailed skeleton hand, complete with some cool thematic elements like fallen leaves and a tombstone. You’ll learn step-by-step techniques for outlining and shading, making those bones look just right while bringing the whole scene together. Whether you’re aiming for slight-realism or a more stylized look, this guide has all the tips you need. Let’s get started and bring this skeleton hand and its eerie surroundings vividly onto your paper!
Outline the Carpal
Begin by creating an outline of the carpal or the wrist bone of the skeleton’s hand.
Add the Metacarpals
Add four metacarpals attached to the carpal of the hand.
Draw the Proximal Phalanges
Start forming the finger bones by first drawing the proximal phalanges.
Attach the Intermediate Phalanges
Attach intermediate phalanges to the ends of four proximal phalanges as shown.
Form the Distal Phalanges
Form the tips of the finger bones by creating the curving outline of the distal phalanges.
Draw the Radius
Draw the long radius of the skeleton’s arm.
Outline the Ulna
Outline the ulna of the skeleton’s arm attached to the radius.
Draw the Ground
Draw the ground by creating bumpy horizontal lines. Erase any overlapping lines with the bones.
Add Leaves
Add fallen leaves scattered around the skeleton’s arm.
Form a Tombstone
Form the curved shape of a tombstone.
Write RIP
Write the text “R.I.P.” on the tombstone.
Shade the Bones
Fill in the skeletal bones with a very light color close to white. Then, create some shadows using a light shade of gray.
Fill in the Leaves
Fill in the leaves with shades of orange.
Color the Ground
Color the ground with brown.
Add Shading to the Tombstone
Color the tombstone with light shades of gray.
Artist & Educator