Grid Method Drawing

Using a fine tip permanent marker and a straight edge, I draw an evenly spaced grid onto the document protector. Placing a sheet of graph paper inside the pocket is very helpful for this step.

I made various size grids, ranging in size from 1/4 inch squares to over 2 inch squares, using a new document protector for each size grid.

If something has a lot of details, I might go with a smaller grid scale to transfer from to a larger scale on my drawing paper.

The other thing that determines what size grid sheet I use to place my picture in, is how much bigger or smaller do I want the image to be that I am going to draw.

On this drawing, I didn't need detail, I was going for the outline, and I just needed the image of the bird. As you can see, the bird takes up a three by four square area under the document protector grid sheet. This grid sheet was made with one inch squares.

I prefer drawing my first draft onto graph paper instead of onto the final surface. This way a bunch of lines don't have to be erased and/or covered up on my final surface.

I like using graph paper as it provides straight lines and I just measure and draw the desired scale onto the graph paper.

With the bird image, I wanted to enlargen it. The document protector sheet I used was a one inch scale. I wanted to double the size, so the scale I drew in pencil on the graph paper was a two inch scale. Both the document protector sheet and the graph paper would have a three by four square area on them.

I multipled the three by four inch area, by two. So the rectangle I drew onto the graph paper was six by eight. Then I drew lines inside the rectangle that were two inches apart, thereby making my scale on the graph paper with two inch squares.

If you need help with the drawing at this point, you can use points (dots) to help get you started. If you look at the top of the birds neck, it interesects with the top center line just a little over half way up in that square. Make a dot there. Going to the left, the top part of the wing is pretty much in the center (going from left to right) of that square and about one fourth of the way down. Place a dot there. Coming down from that top dot and a little towards the right, but not near as far down as the first dot (the one by the neck), place another dot. You've got the idea. Measure, look, calculate, place a lot. Then connect them. It can be a bit rough, you can smooth the lines out as you go. This is just your graph paper drawing.

I traced the final bird outline onto acrylic canvas with a black watercolor pencil. I filled in the drawing with black acrylic artist paint, making a silhouette of a flying seagull.

Once completely dry, I wiped off any remaining watercolor pencil marks from the canvas. I made any touchups with white acrylic artist paint.

This is a copy of the completed painting.

Then I scanned my completed painting and added the design to products on Zazzle. Click on image to find out how to order.


Sea Gull Silhouette hat by CherylsArt


Sea Gull Silhouette tie by CherylsArt


Sea Gull Silhouette tshirt by CherylsArt
Create a Customized T Shirt At Zazzle