Depends on how you want to draw them really.

Your interpretation of a fictional creature is just as valid as anybody elses.

no it isn't D:
it needs to be legit

anyway if dragons are in fact hands, the artist can still draw that in whatever way, they don't necessarily have to look like hands at all, even if the basis/framework of a hand is there.

Look. Leathery wing construction is derived from hand structure - very elongated webbed fingers. This is the "legit" part. The "thumb-hook" is a bat patent for hanging from stuff.

Now consider dragons are quadrupeds (or anthros with hands) have 6 limbs total. This is bullshit. Also, bats have a spread of skin between hind legs to serve as aerodynamic tail. No such thing in dragons, not to mention no way in hell the allotted wing surface would enable any of the bigger ones to fly. And unlike centaurs, who get dual spine (human loin part starting where equine neck part begins) dragon 6-limb anatomy is really fucked up. While you still could get away with some kind of dual shoulder, there is simply no room for the muscles, leg muscles and wing muscles competing for space, where both need to be very powerful... but act in opposite directions. Strongest leg muscles attached to the spine, strongest wing muscles are attached to the sternum.

dragons are large so it would seem flight is scientifically impossible, but they are magical creatures. (eastern dragons don't even have wings)

As for angels (i.e. winged anthros) I'm not sure how much more or less plausible it is and how big the wings have to be. It's easy to just say "magical being" when dragons or angels are involved but I'm not sure if that's a good excuse for avians, who may not be magical. (especially considering I am still not sure whether avians willl be able to fly or have wings at all)

Still, 6-limbed anatomy is simply not anything that appears in the nature so discussion of "legit / not legit" is really moot. The moment you stick both hands and wings on that, it stops being legit...

Throw me a bone here. I need some way to make 6-limbed anatomy at least in the realm of plausibility. Even if it means they can't fly, are extraordinarily strong, or harness something like midi-chlorians. You can't tell me it isn't possible because to me that's like telling me I couldn't draw 6-limbed characters at all.

Also on another note, what would you say about winged hips? (coming from the hips instead of wings coming from the back or shoulders)

I'd rather go with extended/double shoulder blades and muscles weaving across for paws/wings or somehow connected (need to move wings some as paws are moving... as with your toes, you can't move them separately) The problem with hips is center of weight. The wings must be either more to front or near center of mass, as they support the body in flight.

I'll throw you a bone too. Actually, a good piece of meat when it comes to winged quadrupeds:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winged_cat

Wings and arms/hands have all the same bones, they're just shaped differently, so yes, generally if you were to look at the wings of different creatures, they look like hands.

That pic is just what I needed. Thanks!

so I suppose dragon wings are basically bat wings? or is there a difference?

You're welcome!

And it all comes down to personal preference. Some people draw them as bat wings, other people make them like giant webbed hands, while someone else might make theirs like a pteradons. Google Imaging "dragon wing" will give you an idea of just how varied they can be :)

That's an awesome diagram :D I love comparative anatomy.

Me too! I'm glad I found it lol

I want to get a T-shirt with "I (your picture) homology"

most commonly Ive seen is fllowing the bat sterotype were the wing is basicly a hand with webbing but Ive also seen feathered wings which is simular but ive alos seen ribbed wings that are like extneionsof ribs with webbing between them but dragons are fictional so just go with what you like

extension of ribs? that just blows my mind. I'd like to see pics of this. (if it doesn't trouble you that is. I don't want to trouble anyone!)

in nature http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/246/cache/flying-lizard-draco-gular-flap-wings-extended_24699_600x450.jpg&imgrefurl=http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/draco-lizard/&usg=__Asa76TrBOuLjL9WG8K2QOFnUKHM=&h=450&w=600&sz=44&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=fmqTs2tBjvwJZM:&tbnh=105&tbnw=128&ei=FO75TZbYJYO6sQPz2KjeBQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3Ddraco%2Blizard%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3DOgW%26sa%3DX%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26biw%3D1920%26bih%3D908%26tbm%3Disch%26prmd%3Divns&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=111&vpy=115&dur=445&hovh=105&hovw=128&tx=134&ty=111&page=1&ndsp=78&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0
in fantasy
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/pp1/Runecloud/gold-dragon.gif&imgrefurl=http://quizilla.teennick.com/polls/16463978/who-would-win-in-a-battle-black-or-gold-dragon&usg=__9reGK9O0dSm5nS8NX9AcrOxEzzk=&h=291&w=400&sz=41&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=xxwlo28Bk2If3M:&tbnh=108&tbnw=143&ei=Xu75TcaKI4qesQPbns3dBQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dgold%2Bdragon%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3DahW%26sa%3DX%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26biw%3D1920%26bih%3D908%26tbm%3Disch%26prmd%3Divns&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=726&vpy=231&dur=179&hovh=191&hovw=263&tx=172&ty=88&page=1&ndsp=82&ved=1t:429,r:19,s:0

Links failed try googling the draco lizard for natraul version and gold dragon fro a fantasy version

aah those are amazing

Draco lizards are techically gliders but they are so nifty

Hey, nothing says a glider can't progress to true flight in a few million years, if the environment is right for it!