Handshake Drawing: Step-by-Step Tutorial & Easy Ideas
Handshake drawings are one of the most-loved sketching subjects, and for good reason — the basic version comes together from a light proportion framework in just a few minutes. Follow the nine steps below to get the foundations right, then browse the ideas list for your next handshake sketch.
- Difficulty Hard
- Time ~25 min
- Tools Pencil, eraser, paper
- Starts with a light proportion framework
How to Draw a Handshake Step by Step
Step 1 of 9
Two arm guides
Draw two light rectangles entering from the lower left and lower right corners, angled toward the middle of the page.
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Two arm guides
Draw two light rectangles entering from the lower left and lower right corners, angled toward the middle of the page.
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Forearm outlines
Trace each forearm outline on its rectangle, with a straight sleeve edge at the outer end.
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Sleeve cuffs
Add a short cuff line across each forearm near its outer end.
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Clasping hands
Draw a rounded hand shape reaching in from each forearm toward the center, overlapping where they meet.
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Thumbs on top
Add a curved thumb from each hand crossing over the top of the clasped hands.
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Wrapped fingers
Add three curved finger lines from each hand wrapping under the other hand.
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Knuckles and sleeve folds
Add two small knuckle creases on top of the clasped hands, then a short fold line on each sleeve.
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Ink the lines
Go over every kept line with dark ink, then erase the two light arm guides.
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Color the handshake
Fill the left sleeve blue, the right sleeve green, and both hands skin tone.
Handshake Drawing Ideas to Try Next
Once the basic handshake clicks, run it through these variations — each one practices a different skill while staying on a subject you already know.
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A cozy bundled-up figure
Big coat, big scarf, small visible face — winter clothing hides anatomy while you practice everything else.
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Hands holding something small
A mug, a phone, a flower — drawing hands WITH objects is easier than empty hands, and endlessly useful.
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A gesture-pose minute study
Set a timer for 60 seconds and capture just the motion line and weight — repeat five times, keep the best.
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A back-view handshake
No face required: hair, shoulders, and posture carry everything. The most confidence-building people drawing there is.
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Handshake in profile silhouette
One side-view outline filled solid black — profile practice with a dramatic result.
Tips for Better Handshake Drawings
- Draw the spaces between features, not just the features. The distance from nose to mouth matters more than the nose or the mouth.
- Eyes sit at the vertical middle of the head — everyone places them too high at first. Measure it once on any photo and you’ll never unsee it.
Not feeling the handshake today?
Let the generator pick your next subject — filtered by mood and difficulty.
🎲 Random Drawing GeneratorHandshake Drawing FAQ
What is the easiest way to draw a handshake?
Start with a light proportion framework, keeping your lines light. Refine the outline, add the defining details, then erase the construction shapes. The nine-step method above breaks this down — most people get a recognizable handshake on their very first try with it.
How long should it take to draw a handshake?
A simple handshake drawing takes about 25 minutes following this tutorial. A quick doodle version can be done in two or three minutes, while a detailed, fully-shaded study might take an hour. Speed comes with repetition — the second attempt is always faster than the first.
What do I need to draw a handshake?
Just a pencil, an eraser, and any paper. An HB pencil for construction lines and a 2B for final outlines is a nice upgrade, and colored pencils or markers finish it off — but nothing on this page requires special supplies.
Why is drawing a handshake so hard?
Handshake drawings usually go wrong at the proportion stage, not the detail stage. The fix is to spend more time on the basic shapes (steps 1–2) and check them before adding anything else — and use the tip above, which addresses the single most common handshake mistake.
