What is a Grid Drawing?
Using the Grid Method, helps the artist to break down the reference to focus on small parts at a time.
The grid method is an inexpensive, low-tech way to reproduce and/or enlarge an image that you want to paint or draw. The grid method can be a fairly time-intensive process, depending on how large and detailed your painting will be. This method of drawing helps to improve your drawing and observational skills.
In a nutshell, the grid method involves drawing a grid over your reference photo, and then drawing a grid of equal ratio on your work surface (paper, canvas, wood panel, etc). Then you draw the image on your canvas, focusing on one square at a time, until the entire image has been transferred. Once you're finished, you simply erase or paint over the grid lines, and start working on your painting, which will be now be in perfect proportion! Yay.
The grid method is an inexpensive, low-tech way to reproduce and/or enlarge an image that you want to paint or draw. The grid method can be a fairly time-intensive process, depending on how large and detailed your painting will be. This method of drawing helps to improve your drawing and observational skills.
In a nutshell, the grid method involves drawing a grid over your reference photo, and then drawing a grid of equal ratio on your work surface (paper, canvas, wood panel, etc). Then you draw the image on your canvas, focusing on one square at a time, until the entire image has been transferred. Once you're finished, you simply erase or paint over the grid lines, and start working on your painting, which will be now be in perfect proportion! Yay.
Chuck Close
Check out these detailed painting done using the grid method by artists Chuck Close. Look closely at how he uses color and pattern in his artwork.
Your Challenge:
You will need:
White construction paper 8x12
4x6 Photograph of you or someone important to you
Pencil, ruler, eraser
Colored Pencils
Step 1. Grid and Draw
Divide your photograph into 1/2 inch squares. Divide your 8x12 paper 1 inch squares. Label the top and left row of squares on the photograph and final paper (1-8 on the top row. 1-12 for the left). Start to draw the portrait on your final paper looking at the squares one at a time.
Step 2. Colored Pencils
Add pattern to each section using colored pencils. The sections are: background, hair, skin, and shirt. Choose 3-5 different tints and shades of the color for each section. Use the colored pencils to add a different pattern to each square of your portrait. Each time you hit a pencil line, you change patterns. You will need to work with one set of colors in one section at a time. Repeat process for each section.
Step 3. Outline (optional)
If the different sections are difficult to see, outline the pencil lines in black sharpie.
White construction paper 8x12
4x6 Photograph of you or someone important to you
Pencil, ruler, eraser
Colored Pencils
Step 1. Grid and Draw
Divide your photograph into 1/2 inch squares. Divide your 8x12 paper 1 inch squares. Label the top and left row of squares on the photograph and final paper (1-8 on the top row. 1-12 for the left). Start to draw the portrait on your final paper looking at the squares one at a time.
Step 2. Colored Pencils
Add pattern to each section using colored pencils. The sections are: background, hair, skin, and shirt. Choose 3-5 different tints and shades of the color for each section. Use the colored pencils to add a different pattern to each square of your portrait. Each time you hit a pencil line, you change patterns. You will need to work with one set of colors in one section at a time. Repeat process for each section.
Step 3. Outline (optional)
If the different sections are difficult to see, outline the pencil lines in black sharpie.