Churchill's hands

When the British Parliament commissioned Graham Vivian Sutherland to paint the old war horse in 1954, the artist began with studies of his hands, face and eyes. 

He made these impressive drawings at Chartwell before the oil painting commenced. 

How is it possible for hands to say so much?

Even without the cigar as a prop, these could belong to none but Sir Winston Churchill. 

They're part of a group of sketches from the Beaverbrook Masterworks, currently on display at the Audain Art Museum in Whistler.