In this example my knowledge and understanding are the real tools, and the ruler enhances my execution.
Understanding perspective, lighting, form, and anatomy allows me to put my idea on paper - the ruler simply allows me to add a bit of polish. I might use a ruler to ink my line drawing, but the drawing itself was only possible because of my fundamental drawing skills. The big divide between this sort of tool and a grid on your photo reference is understanding.
If your drawing requires precise, straight, lines - a ruler is your best friend. But reference material is most useful when understood - not when mindlessly copied.īeginners often worry that using a ruler is a sign of weakness. It's not to say reference material is unimportant - quite the opposite. If you were required to draw the same object from a different camera angle, you'd be totally out of luck. This method breaks your subject into abstract sectors, eliminating an understanding of form and structure. As a professional I can tell you with complete certainty: copying with a grid is not a good way to learn drawing technique. Illustration is about making intentional choices - emphasizing certain aspects while de-emphasizing others. Using grids on your reference photosĪrtists are not copying machines. Certain techniques, however, are limiting in the long run and should be used cautiously. You simply start with a goal (or intent), and then create an artwork using your available tools.
Unless you're plagiarizing, there's no way to 'cheat' while making artwork. If anyone is cheated by using a grid, it's the artist themselves. To begin with, I'll say that the idea of 'cheating' in art is very misleading. We'll explore visual measuring, grids, rulers, and tracing are they methods of 'cheating', or simply tools? Last week's post sparked some very interesting conversation - both on Ctrl+Paint and DeviantArt - and I'd like to devote this week to weighing in on the topic.
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