To summarize that article, a grid app creates a transparent grid to place on top of a photo.<\/p>\n Each unit in the grid frames a small portion of the subject. Because there is less information in a grid unit than in the entire subject, reproducing a grid unit, unit-by-unit, results in a highly accurate drawing.<\/p>\n . . . but managing a multitude of grid units is a lot of work and is not much fun!<\/p>\n A simplified version of using a grid to help sketch proportional relationships uses a grid app or<\/strong><\/em> a proportional divider in relationship with a single straight line.<\/p>\n To create a single reference line on your sketch paper, mark where you want your main subject to appear from its base to its top.<\/p>\n Develop a preliminary sketch as follows:<\/p>\n (Note:<\/strong> Quarters are appropriate for most sketchbooks. Depending on subject and size, however, you might want to divide line into a greater number of equal units.)<\/p>\n Just a few tick marks in strategic areas should give you enough information from which to establish proportional relationships in your preliminary sketch.<\/p>\n Keep your preliminary pencil lines light so they don’t interfere with your final composition. If they are too dark, dab them with a kneaded eraser. (Note that I boosted the line contrast in my example here so you can see them.)<\/p>\n You only need a few guidelines to handle proportions. After that, your\u00a0eye, skill, <\/em>and technique<\/em> determines how your final sketch appears.<\/p>\n If you don’t feel comfortable using a grid app when on location, use a proportional divider to achieve the same thing. This works similarly to the artist’s “thumb” method but conveys more information.<\/p>\n When holding the proportional divider directly out in front of you, fit the points from one end to represent the size of the subject.<\/p>\n The points on the opposite side measure the related size that should appear on your paper.\u00a0Use the single line method to proceed, rather than attempt to measure every small detail.<\/p>\n Another useful tool is a drawing caliper. <\/em>In this tutorial, the distance between line quarters is used to mark related tick marks. You only need to set the distance between a caliper’s points once, then use its points to repeatedly mark new areas.<\/p>\n This article was written by Karen Little as part of an ongoing series of blogs on Action Sketching. Published on Littleviews.com. March 1, 2020.<\/p>\n Reproduction of this article is free to non-commercial websites (or other media) with permission and attributes to Littleviews.com and the article\u2019s author.<\/p>\n All other material on Littleviews (with noted exceptions) is copyrighted on the date of publication or as noted in credits.<\/p>\n Questions? Ask Karen Little at Karen@littleviews.com.<\/p>\n![\"Final](\"https:\/\/littleviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/grid-drawing-01.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Example](\"https:\/\/littleviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/grid-drawing-02.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nSingle Line Technique:<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"Preliminary](\"https:\/\/littleviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/grid-drawing-03.jpg\")
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![\"Preliminary](\"https:\/\/littleviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/grid-drawing-04.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nOther Proportional Marking Tools:<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"Picture](\"https:\/\/littleviews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/grid-drawing-07.jpg\")
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