Category: Tutorial

When working on commissioned portraits I use a very elementary system of grid lines.  I first print out whatever I’m drawing and than box it out with 1″ squares.  If my drawing is a 16″ x 20″ the boxes will be 2″.  This ensures that my proportions are correct (or as correct as I can get them).  I did this video to show the boxes and how I use them.  There are lots of ways of laying out a drawing.  This, for me, is the easiest and fastest way.   The lines disappear on the charcoal paper I usually draw on, so I did this drawing on regular drawing paper with a 3B drawing pencil.  It was a lovely break to get away from the pastel pencils for a few and just draw without blending or worrying about highlights.