Why do (most) cartoon characters have four fingers?!

Why do (most) cartoon characters have four fingers?

In a considerible amount of television cartoon shows, the characters only have FOUR fingers! Although this somewhat suits them, (for some reason), why do they only have four fingers?

From kids shows, like The kids next door, Ed,Edd 'n' Eddy, Spongebob squairpants, Camp Lazlo, you name it.

To toddler shows, like Stanly, the Little einsteins, Mickey mouse, PB'n'J otters,...

Even some adult shows, like Popetown, the Simpsons, Drawn together,....

The first 3 answers are indeed correct - it is more difficult to draw, I would like to elaborate a bit though.

Look at old portraits of famous people. Usually the ones in the portrait have only ONE HAND painted, most are of just the bust and stop at the end of the sleeve.

Reason being for this - it took more time to get the hands and fingers to match -AND - IT WAS MUCH MORE COSTLY TO PAINT THE HANDS. The price was a key factor - two hundred years ago - it might have cost $10.00 to have a portrait painted of just the bust; and,

$15.00 to have one hand included with a nice ring or whatever; but,

$50.00 to have both hands painted.

Please realize that a cartoon is thousands of pictures painted, each just a little different than the previous one and when flipped - it gives the impression of movement.

Hands would come out with more of a blur than crisp and clear as shown with 4 or 3 fingers - AND,

The time to get 5 fingers to match up accurately would be cost prohibitive.

Hope this shed a little more light on your question - the first 3 answers though were indeed correct.

Peace;

Aintmyfault
.