Expressions of the hand.
The face is well schooled to self control as a rule, and may become an aid in dissimulation of thought and feeling. Rarely is the hand so trained; and responding unconsciously to the mental states, it may reveal what the face would conceal. This is what Bridgeman says in his chapter about the hand. And: The hand of age represents the end product, the insanity of over-modification; furrowed, wrinkled with scars of time, with enlarged squared joints, and shaky. Types of hands may be classified as: square, round, compact, long or short; thick or thin.
I love to paint a portrait that shows the hands. Sometimes the sitter does not know what to do with his hands. To give it a natural posture occasionally I ask the model to hold glasses in his hands (if the model needs to wear glasses of course). It can be a discreet component which may add interest to the whole painting.
Frequently asked question: Hands are the most difficult parts in a portrait, are they?
If you know the construction of the hand, let´s say the architecture, hands does not give so much trouble as people think they do. No, I have to admit, for me the most difficult parts in a portrait are the corners of the mouth. That is where the expression of mood lives, together with the eyes. There is the key to the soul of the person.
I am convinced that two thirds of making a portrait is in the preparation and only one third covers painting the portrait itself. Today I want to tell you about the most important part of the preparation:
