Enlarge or Reduce Drawing using the Grid Drawing Method
What is the Grid Method?
A method used to accurately transfer an image from one surface to another either at the same size or at a smaller or larger scale.
The grid method involves drawing a grid over the reference photo that you're using and then drawing a grid of equal value on the drawing surface (paper, canvas, board etc.) Then you draw you image on your work surface focusing on one square at a time, until the entire image has been transferred. Once your finished you simply erase the grid lines and begin shading your drawing which will now be in perfect proportion.
The tools needed to use the grid method include:
• ruler
• reference image to draw from
• pencil
• eraser
• drawing surface such as paper, canvas or board
When drawing the grid be sure to do so lightly using a hard pencil such as an HB or a 2B so that it can be easily erased.
Determining the size of the grid:
When determining what size the grid on your drawing surface should be, keep in mind that it needs to be of equal ratio.
For example, if your reference photo is 12" by 8" you can draw a smaller version by using a grid that is 6" by 4" or enlarge the photo by using a grid that is 18" by 12" or 24" by 16". Each square can be 1" square (that is 1" by 1") or 2" square ( that is 2" by 2")
Steps to use the Grid Method:
1) Place your ruler horizontally at the top of the reference photo, lining up the zero on the ruler with the left edge of the reference photo. Place a mark at every inch if you want to create 1" squares or every 2" if you want to create 2" squares.
2) Place the ruler horizontally in the middle of the reference photo, again, lining up the zero on the ruler with the left edge of the reference photo. Place a mark at every inch or every 2 inches.
3) Place the ruler horizontally at the bottom of the reference photo, again, lining up the zero on the ruler with the left edge of the reference photo. Place a mark at every inch or every 2 inches.
4) Use the ruler to draw a straight line that connects the three points to create a vertical line. Repeat for all vertical lines.
5) To draw the horizontal lines place your ruler vertically on the left hand side of the reference photo, lining up the zero on the ruler with the top of the reference photo. Place a mark at every inch or every 2 inches.
6) Move the ruler across to the centre of the reference photo, again, lining up the zero on the ruler with the top of the reference photo. Place a mark at every inch or every 2 inches.
7) Move the ruler to the right side of the reference photo, again, lining up the zero on the ruler with the top of the reference photo. Place a mark at every inch or every 2 inches.
8) Use the ruler to draw a straight line that connects the three points to create a horizontal line. Repeat for all horizontal lines.
9)Repeat these steps to draw the grid of equal ratio on the drawing surface.
10) Label each square along the left and right with a letter of the alphabet and label each square at the top and bottom with numbers. Do this on both the reference photo and the drawing surface.
11) Transfer exactly what you see in each square using a pencil to the drawing surface. Always start at the top left corner, and work your way across and then down. Since A1 is blank in the reference photo is blank move on to A2.
12) Once your image is completely transferred accurately erase the grid lines and begin shading.
Be sure to focus on one square of the grid at a time starting from the top left corner. Try your best to copy exactly what you see in that square of the reference photo.
The grid method involves drawing a grid over the reference photo that you're using and then drawing a grid of equal value on the drawing surface (paper, canvas, board etc.) Then you draw you image on your work surface focusing on one square at a time, until the entire image has been transferred. Once your finished you simply erase the grid lines and begin shading your drawing which will now be in perfect proportion.
The tools needed to use the grid method include:
• ruler
• reference image to draw from
• pencil
• eraser
• drawing surface such as paper, canvas or board
When drawing the grid be sure to do so lightly using a hard pencil such as an HB or a 2B so that it can be easily erased.
Determining the size of the grid:
When determining what size the grid on your drawing surface should be, keep in mind that it needs to be of equal ratio.
For example, if your reference photo is 12" by 8" you can draw a smaller version by using a grid that is 6" by 4" or enlarge the photo by using a grid that is 18" by 12" or 24" by 16". Each square can be 1" square (that is 1" by 1") or 2" square ( that is 2" by 2")
Steps to use the Grid Method:
1) Place your ruler horizontally at the top of the reference photo, lining up the zero on the ruler with the left edge of the reference photo. Place a mark at every inch if you want to create 1" squares or every 2" if you want to create 2" squares.
2) Place the ruler horizontally in the middle of the reference photo, again, lining up the zero on the ruler with the left edge of the reference photo. Place a mark at every inch or every 2 inches.
3) Place the ruler horizontally at the bottom of the reference photo, again, lining up the zero on the ruler with the left edge of the reference photo. Place a mark at every inch or every 2 inches.
4) Use the ruler to draw a straight line that connects the three points to create a vertical line. Repeat for all vertical lines.
5) To draw the horizontal lines place your ruler vertically on the left hand side of the reference photo, lining up the zero on the ruler with the top of the reference photo. Place a mark at every inch or every 2 inches.
6) Move the ruler across to the centre of the reference photo, again, lining up the zero on the ruler with the top of the reference photo. Place a mark at every inch or every 2 inches.
7) Move the ruler to the right side of the reference photo, again, lining up the zero on the ruler with the top of the reference photo. Place a mark at every inch or every 2 inches.
8) Use the ruler to draw a straight line that connects the three points to create a horizontal line. Repeat for all horizontal lines.
9)Repeat these steps to draw the grid of equal ratio on the drawing surface.
10) Label each square along the left and right with a letter of the alphabet and label each square at the top and bottom with numbers. Do this on both the reference photo and the drawing surface.
11) Transfer exactly what you see in each square using a pencil to the drawing surface. Always start at the top left corner, and work your way across and then down. Since A1 is blank in the reference photo is blank move on to A2.
12) Once your image is completely transferred accurately erase the grid lines and begin shading.
Be sure to focus on one square of the grid at a time starting from the top left corner. Try your best to copy exactly what you see in that square of the reference photo.