That means you can use the grid to judge the relative distance and position of your subject.įor example, if you can see the horizon line is just above one of the grid lines in the reference photo, then you will know where to place the horizon line in your painting (it would go just above the corresponding grid line on the canvas). The grid on your canvas will correspond to the grid on the reference photo. Use the grid to help with the placement of your drawing.
The dimensions of the canvas also need to be roughly the same as the dimensions of the reference photo for this to work properly.īelow is the grid on my canvas at the start of the painting (the lines are hard to see because the canvas is stained with raw umber):
If it is wrong, your drawing will be wrong. Tip: Make sure the grid is accurate! Your entire artwork will be based on the grid. I use a charcoal pencil to draw the grid, but the medium does not matter as long as it does not interfere with your finished artwork. You might need another person to help with this if you are painting on a large canvas (one person to hold the ruler in place and another to draw the lines). Make sure they are evenly spaced across the sides.įinally, once all the marks are in place, I complete the lines using a ruler or anything with a long, straight edge. I then place a mark where the lines need to go. I start by measuring the length and width of the canvas and calculating where each line of the grid will need to go (if you are placing a three-by-three grid, then divide the length and width by three to get your key measurements). If you placed a three-by-three grid on your reference photo, then place a three-by-three grid on your canvas. Place a grid with the same dimensions on your canvas. I viewed this from my tablet that is secured next to my easel. Try it here.)īelow is the reference photo which I used to paint New Zealand Reflections, along with a grid over the top placed using Photoshop. (Update: I created a simple tool that will apply a grid and grayscale to your reference photo. I like to use a three-by-three grid, as I find it provides enough guidance without being overly tedious.
GRIDDED DRAWING SOFTWARE
You can do this using editing software like Photoshop, or you can physically draw the grid on a printed version of the reference photo. In this post, I walk you through the grid drawing process using a painting I recently completed named New Zealand Reflections as an example.
It also allows you to break the reference down into smaller and more manageable segments. The grid provides you with common reference points between the photo and your canvas. It basically involves placing a grid over your reference photo and canvas, then using that grid to assist with the placement of your drawing. Grid drawing is a technique that will help improve your accuracy without compromising the development of your freehand drawing in the long-term.
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