Derwent Scale Divider

Artist, and Derwent Product Manager, Sarah Taylor, shows you how to use the scale divider for replicating drawings and pictures to a larger or smaller scale. Running time approx. 4 mins 30 secs.

[@thepodbaydoorshal]

Thanks for the simple, straightforward, and quick explanation. I have no idea why so many artists on youtube make such long, convoluted, and drawn out (no pun intended) videos on such a simple tool!! This answered the few questions I had about its adjustment features which is all I needed to know and wasn’t even covered by said videos!

[@allanstott6999]

I've just bought one of these after learning about ratios etc. I eyed the reference always and have learned how easily deceived your eye can be. very useful tool.

[@cplxrh]

I bought one of these a couple of years ago . First off it was poorly made and Derwent IMO should never have allowed their name on it ( was made offshore). The other issues were that it was Not accurate anyway and the 'Points' were just the ends of the rails sharpened roughly where as they should have been actual metal points. Very poor indeed and a determent to Derwent who have in the past put out some really good art world products.

[@corinnefenn1]

Thanks for this easy to learn lesson! It really helped!

[@prosarosc]

I love this video. It's a nice tool and the presenter is nice too.

[@rubycane1806]

this is ACE thanks for giving me confidence, more please

[@OthmanAlikhan]

Thanks for the video =)

[@glennmcdaniel7812]

I use an accurasee to get my reference points. Very accurate and precise.

[@violinoscar]

The Derwent dividers are okay for landscape painting where precision is not essential. They are wooden and the ends are not even cut to points but very roughly sawn. I have two sets of dividers; the Derwent ones for when I am not particular about accuracy, and a metal set with sharp points.

[@derwent]

Thanks for the feedback. Best, Derwent

[@neshiah4747]

I purchased a Derwent scale divider. The first, and thus all the rest of the, holes were in the wrong place so a 1-1 scale was impossible. Had to buy some cheap plastic Chinese version of the same thereafter. Quality was less solid. But the holes were in the right place.

[@derwent]

Hi Neshiah, we are sorry to hear that. That sounds like you possibly received a faulty one. Please go back to where you bought it from and try and return it. Best, Derwent

[@East17au]

Could i use this one handed? Ive a movement disorder in my left if i use it causes it to get worse. Also wouls this tool work the opposite way from bigger to smaller? I can only draw in a5 small paper

[@TheLondonForever00]

Yes is does work the other way

[@rogercawkwell5413]

Actually, it didn't look that accurate (the distance between the triangle and the lower line of the square) operator error?

[@HenryTheBoilermaker3rdYear]

No it's just your bran playing tricks on you.

[@cc-qu7gz]

What size is recommended? I see a lot of 6 inch and 9 inch. What do you recommend for portraits and landscapes?

[@marykrigbaum9021]

Would the same principles apply if you're doing a portrait of a human or a cat?

[@babaganoosh1969]

hmmm think I've holding a pencil wrong my whole life

[@DAVIDDAMIENR]

THANK YOU

[@viprecordsmcj9568]

nice

[@kangaroojackblog6586]

I made my own divider... i bought an aluminum flat bar in a glass supply.. 1"1/2 wide i cut it into 2 pcs.. each 1 about 12" long and i sharpen both ends using electric grinder... yeah it's more better than that derwent... till now im still using it

[@bidhrohi12]

Plastic could be molded to be more precise. This is like two badly carved ice cream sticks stuck together with a screw. The tips are uneven triangles, which makes precise measurement difficult.

[@patachon4882]

But what if you want to transfer a small frame to a much larger canvas.

[@recoveringsoul755]

You can use these tools to magnify or shrink to fit your canvas or paper

[@Create_o_raptor]

is it plastic or metal??

[@derwent]

Hi there, they are made of wood and painted black.

[@Create_o_raptor]

derwentpencils is it durable?

[@derwent]

Yes, it is. regards.

[@vfvlog5495]

hi i am from Sharjah UAE i want this products

[@anubischick]

Is there a way to do an exact mark-up? Like if I want to go from a one inch area and expand to one and a half inch? Anyone know?

[@georgefrench1907]

Any ratio can be produced with this design by trial and error. Other proportional dividers adjust with holes at regular intervals. There are benefits to both designs, but having pin-sharp points is a must for accuracy.

[@WHEREVER-I-ROAM]

@@georgefrench1907 I think it'll do a good ENOUGH job For keeping my proportions in check For painting Paint get pushed in and out of alignment all the time Your eye has to do some of the work Tool CAN'T do everything C'mon MAN

[@larryboecker3459]

Watching you hold the pencil hurts my index finger

[@ellellsworldoppositeau3925]

I have a divider and i was playing the knife game with it. Guess what? _I got hurt._

[@susyaguero8968]

Favor traducir al español!!!! 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@Lisu19902]

I'am doing a lot of portraits from photos, and for small details this divider is totally useless, the arms are too thick therefore very misleading. I'm dissapointed with this device.

[@derwent]

Hi Tomasz, The dividers are great for getting the main proportions of what you are drawing. For finer detail you could try using the 'squaring-up' technique. Regards.

[@Lisu19902]

Been using the square method all the time, and i thought the divider would be the solution for that because squares are good but time consuming, and after work you have to get rid of the lines. Anyway thanks for answer, this product just doesn't work for me, love your pencils though ;) Regards

[@derwent]

It's an age-old technique! Try a great new app from Jackson's: www.jacksonsart.com/blog/2015/03/24/turn-your-tablet-into-an-artists-tool/

[@ArtbyJoeH]

Have you tried blowing up an image prior to printing? If the detail is really small then perhaps it is also an option to do those parts freehand. Once the large lines are in, your eye will be able to handle the details easier.

[@ArtbyJoeH]

oops, I just more or less repeated the 'main portions' sentence!

[@donnasouthwood]

Is that a British way of holding a pencil?

[@ArtbyJoeH]

'British'... yes, the same way we hold our porcelain tea cups... haha! No... but this lady draws that way and it works for her!

[@averymaples8472]

Lines can be exact enlargement. However, the angles are beyond important. Are the corners exact right angles? The angles might each be different or the same, even though the lines are identical. This video did not in any way address that. And that is critical to accuracy. I just posted my comment. July 8, 2021. Well, it just got dropped into those made years ago. 😳 that doesn't happen by accident. Wow!

[@derwent]

Thank you for the feedback. Best, Derwent

[@elizabethtambara7766]

,

[@Argyll9846]

I have one of these and it's incredibly inaccurate. I would not recommend this divider to any artist or budding artist. There are plastic and metal dividers available on eBay, Amazone etc. that re far more accurate and easier to use. This divider is basically an expensive piece of junk.

[@derwent]

Thank you for your comment. We are sorry to hear you are unhappy with this product, but glad you found a replacement. Best, Derwent

[@heleniskandar2092]

Than what brand you recommend ?

[@WHEREVER-I-ROAM]

DUDE it is only $14.00

[@muskndusk]

This has some terrible reviews on Amazon.

[@jyotsnasah5369]

I bought it and it sucks

[@muskndusk]

It looks like a pantograph.

[@yashindian4233]

This was shit...I bought a new one in india..the ends don't match..not accurate

[@derwent]

Hi we are sorry to hear that your Scale Divider does not work for you. Are you able to tell us where you bought it so we can rectify this issue. Best, Derwent