Weekly Mind Sketch

I’ve done it! It feels like I’m still on the journey, and it’s been such a long one. I feel like I need to draw another hand tomorrow—it’s become a habit to think about what hand I’ll draw or paint. I’m really proud of myself for finishing this #100daysofhands. It’s crazy to think how I felt when I drew my very first hand, thinking, “Well, this is going to be a huge undertaking, but I’ll just try and work steadily until it’s done.” Never did I think it would take 11 years. Exactly. I started in October of 2015, and finished today, October 30, 2026. I wanted to draw the same hand I did when I started this, so I did. It’s interesting; I drew the first hand in pencil, so I finished the last hand in pencil, but they don’t have the same look/feel. The first hand was much lighter, much smoother, and less bold. This hand is stronger, bolder, and not as smooth. I want to say each style is a representation of my own life at the time I drew each one. I feel like a whole different person than I...

Alright, here we are—one more hand to go, and I’ve achieved my goal of #100hands! It’s been quite the journey, and I’m so grateful to have completed what I promised myself. I’m especially proud that I didn’t give up when I felt like giving up on drawing for a while. Life can be tough, and sometimes you just don’t have the energy or motivation to create art. I’m hoping that once this series is finished, I’ll start painting again (I’ve been putting it off for too long). Anyway, this hand was done with a ballpoint pen—just a simple black thin writing pen. I wanted to see how it would look, and it’s surprisingly good, not as bad as I thought it would be. I’m planning to finish my last hand in this series tomorrow. I’m really looking forward to wrapping things up and moving on to my next art season!

Here’s hand 98! It’s crazy that I only have two hands left to complete my series. This journey has been exciting, a challenge, and a real reward all rolled into one. I’ve been eager to improve my hand drawings, but it seems like it’s been more of a lesson in patience, perseverance, and how art has been a constant companion through my life’s ups and downs over the past decade. I’m was hoping to become a better hand artist, but I’m wondering if this challenge became more a lesson on being a better person to others and myself. I think it has been more of a personal diary than just honing my art skills, even though I know I haven’t gotten any worse at it, so it’s been worth it. I drew this hand with Micron pen, and the shadows, curves, and bumps made it a real challenge. I hope it’s given me some insights for the next one hopefully tomorrow!

Here I am, just a few hands away from the end! I’ve sketched this one in Micron pen and added a splash of color. I’m really enjoying this hand, though it turned out a bit more rough than I planned. Every hand is a learning experience, and mistakes are just part of the journey for artists. I’m aiming to wrap up the last three hands later this week. Until next time…

Wow, I’ve got four hands left until I reach my 100th! It’s been quite the journey to get here. I’m thinking about how long ago I first drew a hand in this series and how different my life was back then. How time changes us, and art changes right along with us too. I feel my style has kind of shifted a little, not a lot, but some. It’s like I see things differently now than I did 10 years ago. Anyway, I drew this hand in Micron pen again and added color, which was nice. I like the composition here with the leaves and stems adding some organic element and pops of color. I’ll do my next hand soon and see where it takes me!

Wow, I’ve reached hand #95! It feels like ages since I started, and I’m really excited to wrap up the 100th hand soon. I’ve been working on this project for over a decade, and it’s been a huge lesson in staying patient, kind to myself, and persistent, even when I didn’t draw for months. Life can be unpredictable, with ups and downs that might make you want to give up, but sticking with it through tough times can make you stronger and more resilient. This art project feels like a reflection of life itself. You can’t control where life takes you, so you might as well push through it, even if it’s not easy. Anyway, I drew a hand holding a lime, and this was done with Micron pen with added color. I’m planning to start my next hand very soon!

This hand was a bit of a challenge for me—the shadows felt quite harsh, and things started to get a bit too dark. But since you can’t erase pen, I just went with it. Overall, the drawing is darker and rougher than I’d hoped, but it’s still strong, expressive, and bold. I’ll try a new hand next time and see if I can improve my shading skills.

I sketched a new hand position today that I found quite interesting! It had the wrist angled to the right, and the fingers pushing together downward. I used Micron Pen and added a splash of green to make it pop. I’m excited about the #100th hand, which is just 7 away—wow! I’m eager to see what new hand position I’ll try next!

I’m making steady progress, and I’ve reached 92! It’s getting so close to 100 hands that I’m really looking forward to the finish line. I did run into a few snags with this drawing, but I managed to work through them, and I’m happy with how some of it turned out. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m learning through trial and error with the Micron Pen, and it’s not the most forgiving tool since you can’t erase lines. But I’m still happy with how much I’ve improved my pen skills. I’ll be working on a new hand tomorrow with a fresh perspective!

So here I am at the 91st hand—it feels like I’m getting so close to my 100th! This one was done with a Micron pen, and I focused on the form, shading, and muscles in the palm. Even after 91 hands, I still find them a challenge, especially with pen since you can’t erase, but I’m proud of myself for using pen to improve my skills. I’m already thinking about what I’ll want to work on next after I finish 100 hands. I’ll keep my eyes on my hands for now!

Wow, I’ve reached 90 hands! It’s amazing that I’ve been drawing almost daily for about four weeks now. I took a long break from art because I just didn’t feel like it. But as I’ve been drawing more, I’m starting to feel it coming back. I did this hand as a challenge, knowing it would be tough, but that’s why I did it. I really liked the way the stacked fingers stood tall. I’m happy with most of it, but as always, pen is a challenge, and I can’t correct things once they’re on paper. Pen is fun though—it’s immediate and bold, while pencil is softer and you can layer and build more. Anyway, I’ll be doing another hand soon!

I’m getting so close! I’m almost at 90 hands, and then 100! I used a Micron pen with this hand, and I think it looks pretty good. I like how the fingers look huge in the front and then the wrist gets smaller in the back, which makes the forward-facing fingers stand out even more. I still have a bit of trouble shading with pen, but as I’ve mentioned before, tackling challenging projects makes for better results down the road. Fingers crossed for hand 90 tomorrow!

Here’s my 88th hand, and I’m really looking forward to hitting the 100th! This one was a bit tricky with the shadows using the Micron pen, but I think I managed to pull it off pretty well. I like the strength and expressive feel of this drawing. I’m hoping to create a few hands in color or paint before I’m done, and I’m planning on another hand tomorrow :)

I’ve drawn another hand using Micro Pen—this time it’s typing on a computer which I found to be a pretty interesting pose to explore! I’ve really enjoyed how the pen lines are expressive and strong in my art lately. It feels like my emotions flow through the pen onto paper...I think in the end art is emotion. I’m planning to draw again tomorrow!

This drawing was a bit of a challenge and didn’t quite hit the mark for me—some areas were too dark and overworked, while other areas didn't look clean enough. But, every drawing is a learning experience, and I’m always growing with each mistake. I did enjoy the shadow work with the veins and muscles, though. I’m eager to see what I can do tomorrow. I’m still using Micro Pen, and plan to draw another version tomorrow—a new day, a new beginning!

I’ve decided to try color for a change! It’s a whole new world of challenges. Working in color with Micro Pen is even trickier than with colored pencil (blending is a whole different ballgame). It’s a bit tricky to “draw” pen color blends because pen doesn’t blend as smoothly as pencil (you basically need to use thin lines and layers to create gradations). Anyway, it was exciting to use color again—and I think I’m pretty good at it. I’m happy I’ve been drawing regularly now and know it’ll pay off if I don’t take too many breaks. Fingers crossed for another one tomorrow!

Here’s another Micron Pen drawing—another tough one! I’m finding it a real challenge to create layered fingers with all the dark and light details. Plus, shading with pen in shadows is a bit tricky. But the only way to improve is to make mistakes. Tackling difficult tasks highlights your areas for growth. I’m still happy, even though I haven’t seen the improvements I’d hoped for as quickly as I’d like. I’m planning to draw another hand tomorrow!

This drawing was another challenge, and I think it was a great way to learn. I might have pushed the dark a bit too much, but you can’t undo a pen stroke once it’s on paper. Still, I appreciate the expressive lines. I’m aiming for cleaner lines next time. I’ll keep practicing and will try another version with this in mind!

Today’s drawing was quite a challenge! There were so many fingers and layers of shadows and curves. I really enjoyed the composition of hands wrapping around a leg—it was a tough one. I’m learning more with each hand I draw, and I’m hoping to get better and faster at bringing the hand together. This was done in Micron Pen again, and as I’ve mentioned, I’m not the most comfortable with pen sketching. I’m looking forward to another hand tomorrow!

Here’s another pen hand drawing! I’m putting in the effort to capture the hand’s bumps, contours, and shadows. It’s a bit tricky to get the shading right with pen, but that’s what makes it so rewarding—the challenge and the chance to improve my skills. I might switch to pencil next, but I feel I learn more with pen. I was aiming to make the hand look like it’s pressing down (which it was), and I think I got it. I’ll be working on another hand soon!

I’ve reached 80 hands! It’s funny how I remember my first hand from years ago, never imagining it would take me this long to get to 100. But now, I can see the finish line! I drew this in black pen again, and it was a challenge to capture all those shadows and curves. I’m working on my pen drawing skills, and I know it will help my pencil drawings and paintings if I keep practicing. I think of pen drawings like practicing scales on a piano—it warms me up, works out the kinks, and improves my skills. I’ll be posting another hand soon!

I'm trudging along. Here is my hand 79. I'm still working with a Micro pen, keeping an expressive line style. This one was extra detailed, and the veins in the hand took a while. Hands become very detailed when you try to draw the veins and contours of the hand, and you could spend hours trying to perfect it. Also, you just have to stop drawing at some point—it can never be exactly what you want. I am happy though with this as it is, and looking forward to hand #80!

Well this was a tough one. Trying to draw glass with a pen is really difficult. It is much easier to use pencil or some other smooth medium. I do like parts of this though, and know I'm learning something new each drawing I do. I am getting closer to my #100DaysOfHands. I'll probably switch to another art medium soon, but pen is helping me get more accurate and I feel I'm on a roll. Anyway, another hand coming soon!

Here is my hand 77, I am working in Micro Pen again. It is interesting, I find that the last few hand drawings have felt sculptural. I am trying to bring in some shape and form, so maybe this is why I feel it looks more chiseled (like a stone hand). Anyway, on to the next drawing (I may try pencil next)!

Continuing on with my black pen to sketch out hands. I still have a harder time with pen (pencil feels more free and less rigid). But I'm challenging myself to do the harder thing (this will hopefully pay off later). I like the sketchy and bold look of this hand. It's interesting drawing on tan paper, it feels more organic and I've read where it gives you an immediate mid tone background (where white paper you need to build up the midtone). Drawing most days now...will try and keep that up.

Excited I'm keeping up my with hand drawings. I haven't been this consistent for a few years. I find each hand I draw I learn something new. Consistency helps you improve and start to relax and draw with more control and rhythm. I liked how this hand feels somewhat sculptural. I drew with black pen with a touch of brown pen at the end. Only 25 more hands to go until 100!

I'm happy I'm keeping up my drawing more regularly now! Here is another pen drawing, again keeping it free and sketchy and bold. I don't know if I have a style I'm delveloping but maybe I do lean towards more scratchy/bold drawings with movement. Anyhow I am enjoying learning from each drawing I do :}

I'm on a roll today, worked on 2 hands! I worked with Micron pens and liked the scratchy rough texture for this one. A cupped hand is hard with all the shadows, but think this worked out nicely. I am excited I've been drawing more regularly and hope this continues.

Here is a fresh new drawing of 3 hands! I like this for the different brown and beige tones throughtout (and how the texture of the paper shows through the colors). Honestly it was really hard to draw three hands clasping eachother, it got complicated when I started drawing each hand wrapping with the other, I kind of lost which finger belonged to which hand! But I liked the challenge of this group of hands. I'm working towards my 100th hand drawing, I'll keep posting now more regularly!

Here is another hand I did in colored pencil which I love. I was going for a rough, sketchy feel to this. I like the drawing on tan colored paper, it gives it more of a raw and earthy feel. I also liked the dark olive green nails, they add to the bold and organic mood of this drawing.

I've been MIA with my hand drawings for awhile, but I won't give up until I've reached my 100th! I am working with Micron pens (black/brown/green) which is challenging. I am trying to keep it sketchy, scratchy and more energetic. This is a good start for me and I hope to have another hand soon!