Knowing how to teach grid drawing is important for the development of our young artists. It is an excellent way to teach proportion and scale. In my opinion it is one of the best ways to enlarge an image with accurate proportions. With that being said, it can be daunting and exhausting to teach for many reasons. Some of the biggest obstacles include reading a ruler, the math component to enlarge the image and actually transferring the image square by square. Here’s my tips for tackling these challenges and teaching grid drawing technique.
Basics of using a ruler
First, I have found many students do not know how to read a ruler. Before we begin gridding our papers, we look at the “anatomy” of the ruler. We practice reading the ruler and measuring with the ruler. I created a “Ruler Basics Worksheet” I use as bell work the week before we begin grid drawing. This has helped tremendously! If I want students to make a 1.5” x 1.5” grid, I will write or project the measurements on the board. For example, 1.5, 3, 4.5, 6, 7.5, 9, 10.5, 12, etc. Making a whole number grid is definitely easier, as most student can count by 2’s, 3’s etc.
Watch my YouTube video below details on how to draw a grid.
Simplifying the math
Next is the math of taking the original measurements of the image and multiplying them to find the enlarged image measurements. To simplify that process, I create a printed acetate grid the student can tape over the image. For example, if we are using 12” x 18” drawing paper, the students will measure every 3” to make the grid. The finished grid will have 4 x 6 squares. Prior to starting the lesson, I create a 8.5” x 11” document in PowerPoint and insert a table that has 4 x 6 squares. I print the grid and copy onto acetate or transparency paper for copy machines. This grid can be taped to the image and reused for future grid lessons.
Transferring the image
Lastly, transferring the image. I use a “Grid Drawing Worksheet” that students complete prior to the start of the lesson. Students label the top of the paper and photo with letters. Then they label the side of the paper and photo with numbers. Then, I remind the students to transfer one square at a time and to look for lines and shapes they actually see in each square. I find that students have a tendency to draw what they think comes next and not reference the original enough. It can also be helpful to cover the rest of the paper is students just focus on what is seen in the square. If students are struggling with drawing what they see, turn the paper and reference photo upside down to really focus on what is seen without making assumptions.
If you are apprehensive about teaching grid drawing, I have a very easy no-prep lesson for you! The Animal Grid Portrait Drawing Lesson includes printable images scaled for 12″x18″ drawing paper, smaller color reference photos and a grid ready to print and copy on transparency film. All images seen in this post are from this lesson. My Animal Grid Drawing Lesson is available here.
Thank you for reading! – Trista
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