| Learning how to draw by using a grid is almost like | | | | finished. |
| using a shortcut. | | | | 6. Pick a square to commence copying from. I am |
| It's things like grids that make drawing possible for | | | | right-handed, so I always start at the top left square. |
| people who despair that they'll never be able to | | | | This way, I don't smudge my drawing. |
| draw. This process breaks drawings right down to | | | | Another good shortcut is to photocopy a grid onto a |
| baby steps. | | | | transparency. This will save you the time it takes to |
| I recommend you use a grid as an aid only. I wouldn't | | | | draw a grid on your picture. It also reduces the |
| encourage you to depend on it all the time. | | | | possibility of errors with measurements. Plus, you |
| Grids break down a picture into manageable sized | | | | don't have to waste time getting a copy the original |
| pieces. You only need to focus on one square at a | | | | picture. Lots of good, positive reasons to get a |
| time and, before you know it, you have a great | | | | transparency there! |
| drawing staring you in the face! | | | | I use blu-tack to stick my transparency onto my |
| Here's what you need to do:- | | | | picture to keep it steady. |
| 1. Find a good, clear picture that you would like to | | | | You can make this process easier if you start off |
| copy. | | | | using grids with the exact same measurements. That |
| 2. Make a copy of this picture, if you don't want to | | | | is, the grid you copy from and the grid you copy on |
| damage your original. | | | | to, should both be the same size. As you become |
| 3. On your copy, mark all four edges of the picture | | | | more confident with the process, you can keep |
| at half inch intervals. Use a black fine tip marker. | | | | increasing the size of the grid until you no longer |
| Beginners should start with smaller squares, like one | | | | need the guide lines at all. |
| quarter inch. Take care with your measurements, it | | | | If you draw a grid on your picture to half inch |
| can have an adverse effect on your drawings if you | | | | measurements, and then draw a grid with one inch |
| make a mistake. | | | | measurements on your blank paper, you will finish up |
| 4. Connect all the marks from side to side and from | | | | with a larger drawing than the original. This also |
| top to bottom to create your grid. | | | | works in reverse, if you draw a larger grid on your |
| 5. Now draw a grid on your blank paper to the exact | | | | original and a small grid on your blank paper, you get |
| same measurements. Draw these lines very lightly, in | | | | a smaller drawing. |
| pencil. You will be erasing these when you are | | | | Welcome to the world of drawing! |