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How to Teach Grid Drawing Technique

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.ย Some ofย 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 โ€œanatomyโ€ of the ruler. We practice reading the ruler and measuring with the ruler. I created a โ€œRuler Basics Worksheetโ€ I use as bell work the week before we begin grid drawing. This has helped tremendously! If I want students to make a 1.5โ€ x 1.5โ€ 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 2โ€™s, 3โ€™s etc.

Watch my YouTube video below details on how to draw a grid.

Simplifying the math

Grid drawing technique art lesson materials
pre-printed animal grid references for student use in their grid drawings

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 12โ€ x 18โ€ drawing paper, the students will measure every 3โ€ to make the grid. The finished grid will have 4 squares across the short side and 6 squares across the long side, for a total of 24 squares. Prior to starting the lesson, I create an 8.5โ€ x 11โ€ 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 โ€œGrid Drawing Worksheetโ€ 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 if 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.

Grid Drawing student examples
Examples of student work from the Animal Grid Drawing art lesson.

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.ย  My Animal Grid Drawing Lesson is available here.

Thank you for reading! – Trista

 

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About Me

Art With Trista is my website featuring art lessons, art teacher articles and art education resources

I’ve been teaching art for over 20 years and I love it!

I have taught every grade from kindergarten to high school. This site features art education articles with art resources and ideas as well as art lesson ideas for all ages. My goal is to allow students to explore a variety of art materials, discover different genres and styles, and most importantly, have FUN!

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