The coordinate grid allows you to place objects on paper as needed. IN in this case We will create a drawing with charcoal pencils based on the sketch.
Why do we need a coordinate grid at all? Sometimes it is difficult for an artist to determine the size and proportions of objects. A coordinate grid, which is applied to a sheet of paper placed behind the depicted scene, will help him solve this problem. The same mesh is applied to the sheet that is used to create the drawing.
The coordinate grid is located behind the displayed objects, and is applied directly to white background, which allows you to get clear objects and the shadows they cast. However, in this example we will focus on displaying the volume of objects to get a picture like this.
The outlines of the drawing are drawn with a 2B pencil, which can be easily erased with an eraser. But the shadows of the drawing are made using a charcoal pencil, which gives thick and dark lines. To learn how to use a charcoal pencil, run it across the paper to get an idea of the exact lines it makes. Try different amounts of pressure on the pencil to compare the lines you draw. Also try shading in different directions. This is necessary to understand the change in the texture of the stroke. When will you learn to hatch charcoal pencil, then you can use it no worse than regular graphite.
Coal has a powdery structure, so it is better to use it on rough or textured paper, as it will hold the coal powder better. For example, you can draw with charcoal on paper that has a strong texture. The result will be a large grain, which will make the picture more expressive.
How to lay out a grid for your screen
Mark the lines vertically, with an indentation of 20 cm from the edge of the cardboard. The cardboard sheet is then cut along the lines made, after which the cut strips are glued using adhesive tape. This will provide the two bendable strips needed to install our coordinate screen. Using a 2B pencil, draw a frame in the center, which should be closer to the bottom edge of the cardboard.
Next, draw vertical and horizontal lines to divide the frame into squares. As a result, we will get 8x8 cm squares. All that remains is to install the objects for the still life, and behind them is the now created screen with a coordinate grid.
1. Coordinate grid for drawing
Our screen is ready, it’s time to start drawing. Using a 2B pencil, make another grid on a regular piece of paper. The number of squares on this drawing paper must match the number of squares on the screen. But the size of the squares will now be smaller - 6x6 cm.
2. Start drawing
In the composition displayed, the bottle is the tallest, so let's start with that. Use a 2B pencil for drawing. Analyze exactly how the contours of the bottle intersect the grid squares on the screen behind the bottle. Check how each line is applied correctly to the paper.
3. Drawing a traffic jam
We continue to draw the bottle. By the way, it has a folding plug - draw it carefully, checking its placement on the coordinate grid. To draw the outline, use small strokes, one line at a time. This way there will be fewer mistakes.
In his practice, the artist especially often has to deal with vast spaces in which various natural objects(rivers, lakes, hills, mountains, etc.). Therefore, it is especially important to accurately convey the placement of visible objects, which ensures perspective grid. Knowledge allows us to solve these problems with sufficient accuracy for our purposes. But here, especially to begin with, you need to arm yourself with some patience and do a number of necessary exercises.
Pencil drawing exercise for beginners
Imagine a vast plain, the surface of which, like a chessboard, is divided into squares, the length of the edges of which is 100 m. We, standing at a certain height, need to depict this field in a picture. Required depict not a plan of the field, but a drawing in which each square, due to perspective changes, should have various sizes and different shapes.
To solve this problem, we select one square that is located directly in front of us at a distance of about 100 m from us. We already have sufficient experience in drawing rectangles on the floor, and therefore, without much difficulty, we build this square with sufficient accuracy ABCD(Fig. 1, top). Then we combine the ruler with the front side of the square closest to us and draw a line that would be a continuation of this side of the square to the right and left, i.e. we continue the line in both directions AB. We do the same with the back side of the square (line CD). We will get two parallel lines that will determine the position of the entire first row of squares. Continuing sides the square we drew ( AC And IN) before they intersect, we get the vanishing point, and therefore the location of the horizon line.
The front sides of the first row of squares lie on the line AB, and they are all approximately equal. Therefore, if we take the length of the front side of the square we have drawn and plot this length several times to the right and left along the line AB, then we get the location of all the front sides of the first row of the square. By connecting the resulting points with the vanishing point, we obtain perspective images of all the squares of the first row. All this is completely understandable, because all the lateral sides of the squares are parallel and, naturally, they should converge at one vanishing point on the horizon (Fig. 1, below).
Figure 1 - Drawing an object in perspective
Now let's draw a diagonal on the first square we depicted (from the point A through the point D)) and continue it until it intersects with the horizon. This line is at a point E will intersect the extension of the side of the adjacent square and thereby determine the location of the back side of the second row of squares. By drawing a line parallel to line CO through point E, we obtain an image of the second row of squares (Fig. 2, top).
Figure 2 - Example of drawing a perspective grid
Next, we take the square of the second row, located just above the first square we drew, and also draw a diagonal to the vanishing point (there will be one vanishing point, because all the diagonals of the squares are also parallel). Diagonal, intersecting the extension of the side of the square at the point F, determines the position of the back side of the third row of squares, etc. (Fig. 2, winz).
In a similar way, we determine the locations of the fourth, fifth, and so on rows of squares. Theoretically, it is possible to build rows of squares up to the horizon, but in practice it is possible to build no more than 6-7 of them, since further, with our insufficient drawing accuracy, there will be significant errors. Even building 7-8 rows of squares is only possible with very careful and precise work. But 5-6 rows are enough for us to be convinced of the possibility of geometrically constructing such a perspective grid (Fig. 3).
Figure 3 - Drawing a perspective grid
Perspective grid - drawing rules
Received by us perspective grid is of great importance to us. We will understand this as soon as we complete a series of appropriate exercises. But before approaching these exercises, let’s prepare several grids so that later we will not be distracted from work. To keep grids simple and convenient, we suggest following these considerations:
- The grid is drawn in the size of at least a notebook page.
- The horizon line should coincide with the length, not the width of the sheet.
- First draw the horizon, then draw a vertical line down the drawing exactly along the triangle. Next, set aside 6 cm vertically from the horizon and draw a line strictly parallel to the horizon. The front sides of the first row of squares will be located on this line.
- On the bottom you held horizontal line to the right and left of the vertical you put 3 cm in succession. Next, you connect these points with the point of intersection of the vertical and the horizon (with the vanishing point).
- Vertically from the bottom horizontal line, mark 1.5 cm up and draw through the resulting point parallel line. This will give you a perspective image of the first row of squares.
- Next, draw diagonals in the squares adjacent to the vertical on the right and left. Try to get them to converge at one point on the horizon (the point will be close to the right edge of the page).
- Next, sequentially draw diagonals to the same (right) vanishing point and build sequentially the remaining rows of squares.
- A correctly constructed grid is outlined in ink or ink, and auxiliary lines are erased. Using this grid, by pricking, you can draw 10-15 grids.
In the future, in order to save time, perspective grids can be built even more simply. Having done everything indicated in points 1, 2, 3 and 4, you lay down sequentially, first 2 cm, then 1.5, vertically from bottom to top; 1.0; 0.6; 0.4; 0.35; 0.3; 0.25 and 0.2. Through each of these divisions, draw horizontal lines parallel to the bottom.
The perspective grids we have constructed are suitable for depicting terrain from some fairly significant height. To image the terrain from a lower altitude, the distance from the horizon to the lower horizontal line should be less. Thus, we can recommend a perspective grid in which there is 4.2 cm from the bottom horizontal line to the horizon line. Under these conditions, smaller values will have to be set aside vertically from below: for the first row 1, for the second 0.6, then 0.45; 0.3; 0.22; 0.17; 0.14 and 0.1. In our further presentation, we will call the first grid grid No. 1, and the second grid No. 2. First, for our exercises, we will take grid No. 1.
For all further exercises with a perspective grid, we provide drawings that are similar, but are not answers to the tasks.
Exercise: Constructing a Perspective Prism
Construct a triangular prism moving away from you, the base of which is the leftmost strip of squares. The height of the prism is 0.5 sides of the square. Divide the constructed prism into separate prisms, the bases of which are separate squares (Fig. 4).
Figure 4 - Construction of a prism moving away from the viewer.
Exercise: Constructing three prisms
Construct triangular prisms along three receding strips of squares, but located so that a strip of receding squares remains between the bases of the prisms. Divide the prisms into parts and cover their slopes with appropriate strokes (Fig. 5).
Figure 5 - Construction of a series of receding prisms.
Exercise: Building Pyramids
On the leftmost strip of squares moving away from you build a series of pyramids, the height of which is approximately half the length of the side of the square. The pyramids are not located on every square, but every other square. (The intersection of the diagonals in each square gives the point from which the height should be drawn. Having determined the top of the first pyramid, we draw lines from it to the vanishing point. On these lines will lie highest points all pyramids.) Cover the right slopes of the pyramids with strokes corresponding to the slopes (Fig. 6).
Figure 6 - Construction of pyramids.
The rows of prisms and pyramids we have built can be considered as a diagram of ridges moving away from us or rows of disconnected mountains. These patterns can easily be turned into parallel rows of ridges. On each prism or pyramid located on 1 square, we depict a vertex (Fig. 7).
Exercise: Drawing Mountains in Perspective
Take grid No. 2 and draw a diagram of a receding ditch on the right, the second, counting from vertical line, a receding strip of squares. The depth of the ditch is equal to 0.5 sides of the square. The ditch has the form of an embedded triangular prism (Fig. 8).
Figure 7 - A series of receding ridges built on the basis of receding prisms.
After this, build a diagram of a similar ditch, but no longer running along the line of squares, but diagonally. The ditch starts from the first left square adjacent to the vertical grid.
The depth of the ditch and the grid is the same. The ditch continues to the horizon. The left slope is covered with streaks (Fig. 9).
Figure 8 - Scheme of a geometrically correct receding ditch.
Figure 9 - The ditch is removed diagonally.
All further exercises with the grid will follow grid No. 2.
Perspective drawing exercise
Construct a ditch diagram that starts from the left square adjacent to the vertical grid. The ditch goes northeast to the outermost square, and then turns sharply to the northwest and continues like this until the edge of the grid. The grid and depth of the ditch are the same as in the previous exercise (Fig. 10). The viewer faces north.
One of the most convenient ways to sketch objects for beginners is to draw on a grid. Today we will look at this drawing technique in more detail.
When choosing a photo to copy, make sure that it is large enough and does not contain unnecessary elements that would prevent you from drawing the desired object. Also, your subject should be clearly represented in the photograph, because... blurry edges will only make drawing more difficult (see picture). Now select your grid size. Please note that the larger the cell size, the most of you will have to enter the drawing into it. Although there are no rules regarding the minimum mesh size, try to choose the one that is most comfortable for you. Beginners, as an additional training, can print out the desired photo, having previously applied a grid to it on the computer.
When drawing on a grid, use auxiliary sheets of paper with which you can cover unnecessary parts. at the moment parts of the image and concentrate more on a specific detail.
Rely on the clear edges of your subject. Look at the picture below: we have outlined the edge of the vase and, moreover, one of the corners passes through the grid line. This can serve as a good guide for further drawing. At the same time, do not rely entirely on the grid, but rather visually assess the position of each part relative to the sheet (third, quarter...). Draw the shape, noting which prominent features intersect the grid lines. The darkening we see in the picture above is . Notice that it looks like an extended triangle. Negative space helps to outline the contours of our figure and draw symmetrical details more correctly.
The finished drawing will contain all the main lines of our subject and surroundings. If you want to indicate some very light details, use a dotted line. Carefully erase the mesh and finish your design.
Using a grid allows you to "deform" your face differently depending on how you draw it. A mesh with wide checks stretches out the facial features, while a mesh with elongated checks narrows it. Choose a magazine picture for the experiment or prepare your own drawing.
1. Use a pencil and ruler to draw a grid of 2x2 cm squares over the selected image.
2. Then draw a new grid with the same number of squares. Instead of straight lines, use curved and non-parallel lines.
3. In the first grid with the picture, find the cell where the chin is located. Draw the jawline in the corresponding cell of the new grid. Do the same with the rest of the drawing details.
4. When fitting a drawing into a new grid, carefully compare the arrangement of parts with the original drawing.
5. Draw the hair, following the grid lines in some places. When you're done contour drawing, add shading and shadows.
The most difficult thing for a beginning artist, or rather a draftsman, is to accurately observe the proportions of the object being drawn and accurately convey its shape.
Watching professional artists, you are amazed at how easily and accurately they transfer what they see onto the canvas. Just a few strokes and a recognizable image already appears.
Beginners think that they will never be able to do this, that this requires talent.
Talent is, without a doubt, a useful and highly desirable thing.
But here the situation is somewhat different. Such ease is achieved through many days of “training”, countless sketches and educational drawings. They help develop an accurate eye and clarity of hand movements with a pencil.
But this technique also has a downside - it requires a lot of time to complete. To help beginning draftsmen, to make drawing exercises easier at first, there has long been a simple technique “ Drawing on a grid».
Nowadays, in the age of computers and other technological wonders, this method of drawing has begun to be forgotten, although it used to be popular. I think many people know it very well and even used it in practice, but they considered it completely unserious and certainly not related to “real” drawing. And completely in vain. This method allows you to gradually develop your eye. But its most important advantage is that, using it, you can get a completely decent drawing, thereby increasing your self-esteem in your drawing abilities. And this is worth a lot. It is strong confidence in one’s abilities and passionate desire that can “move mountains,” and even more so contribute to acquiring drawing skills.
Some people still believe that a drawing obtained by this method is some kind of deception, something unreal, a second-rate drawing. I'm sure they are deeply mistaken! One can just as easily accuse artists of using a pencil as a measuring device when drawing up the proportions of the object being drawn. The grid is just an auxiliary tool for a beginning artist, and it cannot replace either the technique of using a pencil, or the art of conveying tones, etc. I note that even very famous artists did not hesitate to use additional technical means. For example, the great Leonardo da Vinci used glass as a picture plane.
But Dürer especially distinguished himself in this matter: he, as a supporter of various technical innovations in drawing, invented an entire drawing machine, in which the grid was used as a drawing tool. So, if famous artists used additional funds in drawing, then it is all the more useful for a novice artist to use a grid in learning to draw.
After studying this mini-course “Drawing on a Grid” and applying the knowledge gained in practice, anyone will be able to draw a pencil drawing on their own. If the reader has never drawn with a pencil before and is sure that he does not know how to draw, then the proposed author’s technique will allow him to easily create a pencil drawing, strengthening his faith in his own strengths and abilities.
The technique is fully functional and was used by the author when creating his own pencil drawings. The process of creating one of them is given in the manual as an example.
