Writing the 4 Group in handwriting

[Stuart Thiessen]

I am curious how people have been handwriting the 4 group. I tend to 
have difficulty shading in a "4" handshape without either coloring in 
the thumb or making so small that it is hard to really see. What 
writing techniques have you been using to keep it looking right?  Or do 
you have a handwriting shortcut that you use to indicate the thumb 
without using the white space?

Stuart