Preparing yourself mentally

Shaping the hand will be difficult to relay in step-by-step instructions. Real hands vary from person to person. Our modeled hands will certainly vary, as will our tastes and aesthetic preferences. This chapter will provide you with tools, strategies, and considerations as you embark on your journey of fine-tuning your hand. I have two thoughts before you even make your first mouse click.

Embracing failure

My first piece of advice is to not strive for perfection. Allow yourself to make mistakes. This type of modeling is one where you are going to have to pay your dues and practice. Accept that your hand is not going to be perfect right away. Accept that you will become intimately familiar with the Ctrl and Z keys on your keyboard as you undo changes that don't work. Accept that you'll get everything looking great from the top, then you'll change perspective and discover it looks all wrong from the side.

Be tenacious. Don't give up. Finally, celebrate the fact that...