This piece as well as its companion piece is done with oil paint on black nero marble. (redundant I know.) The process for getting oil to adhere to such a slick surface involved etching out the initial design with a carbide etching tool, after this was completed oil successfully bonded to the surface. The hands themselves are designed from several different photographs of cadavers. The result is a reasonably anatomically correct averaged composite.
I know the feeling! So for heavens sake keep me in mind when you hit it big and I will paint you whatever you want on your wall! The work for illustrating anatomists is just not pouring in like it was a few hundred years ago.
Maybe if I could get off my ass and start showing again soon you will! I do love to travel, and I am always looking for venues! Thanks for the kind words.