GRID DRAWING

B2 Lines can create the illusion of surface textures

C2 Artworks can be formal, analytical descriptions of objects

E2 Positive and negative space are both important images

H1 I increase my art vocabulary by discussing media and techniques

CURRICULAR OBJECTIVES:

• Contour Line Drawings: Drawing that represents the edges and ridges of a form, without tonal variation, shading, etc.

• Contrast: Difference between two or more elements

• Negative Space: Shapes or spaces that are or represent the areas unoccupied by objects.

• Proportion: The scale relationships of one or part to the whole and one part to another.

• Scale: Relative size, proportion; the determination of measurements of dimensions within a design or artwork.

• Shade: a colour produced by the addition of black.

ART VOCABULARY

The grid method is an inexpensive, low-tech way to reproduce and/or enlarge an image that you want to paint or draw. Not everyone will

have a projector or a way to trace your reference photo.The grid method has the added benefit of helping 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.

WHY DO ARTISTS USE GRIDS

There are a few things to think about when preparing a grid drawing so that you can get the best results

without making extra work for yourself. When selecting a picture to copy, make sure it is large and clear. You need an image with clear lines and edges - a blurry image makes it difficult to find a line to

follow.

BEFORE WE BEGIN

Decide on your grid size. If the grid is too large, you'll have to do too much drawing in between each square. If the grid is too small, you'll find it difficult to erase, and it can get very confusing. There is no definite rule, as the size of your picture and the subject can be so varied - but something from one inch to half an inch will be about right. You don't have to divide your photo up mathematically - if the last squares are only half filled, that's fine.

Step One: Draw your grid on your reference photo

There are two different ways to do this. You can use the exact same

grid that you used on your reference photo, or you can use your grid and scale up or down

your drawing.For your assignment, we are going

to scale up your drawing. This means you multiply your original

proportions to create a larger grid. If you want to double the size of

your image, you times your grid by two. So if your squares on your reference photo are 1”x1” draw your grid on your paper using 2”

by 2” squaresCopy the grid onto your drawing

paper, using a sharp, H pencil and a light touch, so that you can erase

it easily.

STEP TWO: DRAWING YOUR GRID

Another reason artist use a grid is to not miss any details. By using a

grid, we are focusing on multiple, smaller images, rather than one, large image, which tends to be

overwhelming.

When copying the picture, use spare sheets of paper to cover some of the

image, so you can focus on a few squares at a time. This is especially useful for large pictures which can

become confusing. Place your drawing and the original picture close together, so you can look

directly from one to the other. This also helps you from smudging away your grid by dragging your hand.

STEP 3: A LITTLE AT A TIME

Look for clear edges in your picture. With this example, you can clearly see the outline of the jug against the background. Notice where the

shape crosses the gridline - this is the reference-point that you can use. Don't try to measure where it is on the grid, but rather judge its position

(halfway up? one-third?) and find the same spot on your drawing grid. Follow the shape, looking for where the line next meets the grid.The

area shaded gray shows a NEGATIVE SPACE formed between the object and the grid. Observing these shapes can help you follow the shape of

the line. Notice how the gray space looks fairly triangular, with a couple of chunks taken out - that makes it easy to copy.

STEP 4: SHAPES AND USING NEGATIVE SPACE

The completed grid drawing will include all the major lines of the object - outline,

important details and clear shadow shapes.

Now you can carefully erase your grid, patching up any erased parts of your drawing as you go - if you've drawn it lightly enough,

this shouldn't be difficult. The grid in this example is much darker than I'd actually

draw in practice. Then you can complete it as a line drawing, or add shading.

If you need a very clean surface, you might want to trace your completed sketch onto a

fresh sheet of paper.

This technique is useful for transferring a drawing to large sheets for pastel drawing or

to canvas for painting. When enlarging a drawing, you need to be particularly careful

of distortion; lack of detail in the original can be a problem.

STEP 5: ERASE

I can duplicate an original image by using a grid

I can enlarge an image for drawing by using a scale and a grid

I can use both positive and negative space to draw an image

I can use different tones to create contrast and details in an image

I can use the appropriate vocabulary when discussing an art piece.

I CAN STATEMENTS

For your assignment you will be doing a charcoal portrait using the grid

method.

YOUR ASSIGNMENT

Step 1: Draw a grid on your referenceStep 2: enlarge the image on a piece of paperStep 3: Draw a contour drawing of your portraitStep 4: Erase grid linesStep 5 : Add details and shading

STEPS: