Tuesday, 10 July 2012

Grid drawing technique

1.  What do I need to complete this task?
  • Choose an image of a person (a portrait) from a glossy magazine
  • a lead pencil (I prefer a 2B and 4B for shading)
  • a piece of drawing paper the same size as the magazine image
  • a sharpener
  • an eraser

 2. How do I get started?
  • Measure the magazine image first to work out dimensions; for example, I used the exact measurements of the magazine page when ruling the grid on the paper I will draw my portrait on

  • Your need to work out the mathematics for the square size
  • the dimension of the FRANKIE magazine cover are 27.5 x 21 cm, so I divided the width measurement (21cm) by 3 knowing that 7 x 3 is 21 cm. Then I divided the length (27.5cm) by 4 knowing that 4 x 7 is 28 and close enough. But is it important to be as thorough as possible with your measurements
 3. What do I do next?
  • Then rule the same measurements on the magazine image (remember be as precise as possible)
*(note, this is where you can get creative - the next task will be to distort the portrait by distorting the measurements- see Distorted Portrait Task)


4. Now it's time to start drawing! 
  •  Use the grid ans individual squares to 'transpose' the visual information
  • calculate where the visual information is withing the square and try your best to copy over on your drawing
  • tip - start marking in the basic shapes first using line then gradually add tone and texture
  • the key is the more accurate you are transposing the visual data the more realistic your portrait will look
  • Lastly, BE PATIENT, it takes time - try your best not to rush, you need to be focused when you are drawing




Click on this link HOW TO USE A GRID TO DRAW A PORTRAIT and watch the video.

Task: Choose a portrait from any media source (a magazine, internet, book etc)
          Use the grid method to draw a portrait of the person.

Focus: complete realism
            tone

Click on the following link to watch an amazing time lapse of an artist drawing a realistic eye. It is amazing!

How to draw a realistic eye

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