Sketch Process
I mentioned elsewhere on this site a measurement/planning process I’ve used when drawing. Basically, it amounts to drawing a grid and using those uniform squares to more accurately sketch subjects. In the past I relied on this heavily, but towards the end of 2017 I actually stopped using it. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to put aside this crutch, but to my surprise, all the practice I’ve gotten over the last few months has really helped.
Many of the older black and white sketches on the Drawing Archive page used some aspects of this grid system, as well as a few of my sketches after the “Getting Back into Art” post from early September. I think my “Dark Tower Campfire Outside the City of Lud” sketch was the last one I actually used a grid for, and my Dirk Nowitzki sketch may have been the start of my going gridless.
Anywho, here are the basics on the grid process. I’ve also included some other progression images, just to see how it goes in different examples.
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- Step 1: First, I measure the grid lines. In this drawing, I used a 1″ x 1″ grid. After the grid is in place, I start filling in the outlines of the figures. Realistic proportion is very important to me, especially if the subjects are real people.
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- Step 2: I start to fill in the details. I almost always start with faces, since I think it’s the most interesting part of a drawing.
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- Step 3: I continue to fill in more details. I usually take a break from body details every so often to revisit facial features. In this case, I was somewhat unsatisfied with the first few incarnations.
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- Step 4: Details are pretty much complete at this point, and I usually spend a bit of time making sure the final product matches the subjects. I think it’s important to think about this from a broad, overall perspective first. Then, consider individual features that might not be accurate, especially the eyes, nose, and mouth.
Original Post: https://jonamdall.com/2018/02/23/another-family-portrait-working-on-more-realism/
Original Post: https://jonamdall.com/2018/01/13/back-to-the-dark-tower-susannah-jake-and-oy-drawing/
Original Post: https://jonamdall.com/2017/10/08/dark-tower-drawing-campfire-outside-the-city-of-lud/
This is odd and might be total nonsense, but I sometimes view “finished” art through a mirror. I think you can become sort of desensitized to your own work if you’ve spent enough time on one subject. A mirror’s reflected image seems to give a fresh perspective on something.
Also, there are times when have backgrounds or additional things in mind that could be added, but I usually don’t include those things. I think it’s partially because I don’t really enjoy drawing scenery. Of course…that also could be because I’m just not that good at drawing things other than people! “Go with what you know” is something that I think I’ve heard, and maybe that’s what applies here.
I would never have become an artist if I hadn’t learned to grid. It’s a tool like any other and if it helps get the proportions right, why not use it? The viewer looks at the finished work, not how you get there ☺️
Thanks for that, I had no idea legit professional artists did it too. Do you still use grids at all?
Sorry Jon, I missed this question. Yes occasionally I do. Maybe I’ll write a blog about it!
Very cool. If you end up writing about that, I’ll definitely be interested to read it