For my 3D class, we were asked to articulate plaster castings of our hands, preferably adding a psychological dimension to our chosen action. I chose to make my hand close its fingers to hold a pencil, as if poised in thought before making its mark, be it a word, a drawing, or even a signature.
For the movement to be possible, I sawed off the base sections of each digit, replacing them with brass screw-eyes fastened with lock nuts. These hinges allowed each finger to be moved, and stay in the position to which it was moved. I decided to leave the thumb stationary, and make the other fingers move towards it.
I looped wire through holes drilled in the fingernails, then twisted all the wires together to form one "rod". When the rod is pulled, the fingers close simultaneously, and then the pencil can be inserted.
Here is a video of me putting a pencil in the hand.
With its wooden base, the hand is stable and easy to control; this ensures maximum fluidity of its motion.
