How to Draw Using Comparative Measurement

[@chicano4041]

I am an art instructor as well and agree 100% with your process and explanation of it. Great job.

[@davirosa]

IS IT TALLER OR IS IT WIDER? Jesus, I've been drawing for years, watching lots of tutorials and this question rings a bell. How simple it is and I never thought about it! Thanks for sharing your experience! Hugs from Brazil!

[@guilhermecevolani]

Hi meu camarada brasileiro hehehe

[@davirosa]

@@guilhermecevolani É nóis Paquito!

[@Azidust]

exactly its like everything is making sense to me now

[@gordacapivara]

Vai Brasil!

[@davirosa]

@@gordacapivara Aprender a desenhar é um eterno vai Curinthia!!

[@miguelrotaeche8582]

I have been a drawing professor for adults during three years. Maybe you do not know, but you are a genius.

[@dutchamericanman]

You said something that made a big difference for me. You shared you early work, and spoke about how long it took you to reach your current level of skill. You made the process enjoyable, exciting. It’s not about being a master now, but the joy is in becoming skilled through practice. Stick to it, you said, and that says a lot coming from someone with your skill. Thanks for remembering us, the beginners, those of us engaged - happily - in the process. Frustration with my lack of greatness is nothing next to the joy I feel in practicing and developing fundamental skills. Cheers.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Jeffrey.

[@adrianfoster7387]

I am not good at painting, AT ALL...But, i swear my oil paintings have drastically improved from watching your videos. Thank you SO much. You're awesome

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

That's excellent Adrian! Glad you're finding my videos helpful

[@aizan916]

Thank you for this video, having had graduated from the art school, can't even recall the sight size drawing technique being ever mentioned. We were always taught to use comparative measurement with eventual standing a few meters back to check for the mistakes.

[@gypsysnickerdoodle4354]

"Sight size” is GREAT, if you are charging students by the week or harnessing students to a production piece schedule, aka “you graduate when you have done these exercises & finally get approved to finish your Master Piece” (Toronto School of Realistic Art, for instance)

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

I agree. Ateliers operate like cults

[@willsetchell4222]

Indeed. Very exclusive and classist as well. I saw one place that said it takes on average 5 years to graduate, the course is full time and costs thousands per year plus you need to find money for rent and bills whilst you draw casts 8 hours a day. Only the independently wealthy can afford that bullshit.

[@fluffybrushespheiffer2410]

Thank you for this beautiful demonstration, so helpful and inspiring.

[@ksuhuh]

The academic process with week long bargue drawings, several week long cast drawings, etc, using sight size is great because you have a 1:1 comparison to see your mistakes and correct them. Doing this greatly improves the way you correct yourself and is massively helpful to do for a while before you start using comparative measuring. Standing back to compare and then walking to your paper also improves your visual memory. Also it's good to burn some calories.

[@marcoferay5751]

And it sharpen your eyes as well, after sight size and bargue you became literally a sniper

[@astrol4b]

@@marcoferay5751 i literally can't see the signs on the canvas from the distance

[@astrol4b]

@@marcoferay5751 i literally can't see the signs on the canvas from the distance

[@thisSaint]

Best mantra I have ever heard in my entire life of drawing! thank you!

[@staciasnow3330]

When I was younger this was part of my art training. I started off with pencil with the picture I was doing taped next to my paper. Then I did 4 sight size, with charcoal. After that I moved onto oil paint. He definitely used sight size as a way to train my eyes.

[@genobourn7423]

Yes! Live modeling ...I have been drawing this way for years. Excellent way to explain!

[@trungusrequiem]

In my class in Vietnam, we mesure by eyes too and my teacher've taught it for 3 years. All other classes I've come in my country use pencil to measuring and it's much more slower. Our method have 4 parts: Direction, Distance, Shape and ... I dunno how to call it, like using vertical and horizional line from a part to find another part.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Yes, vertical and horizontal lines. Here in the uk we call those plumb lines (after the carpenters tool) Sounds like you have a good teacher. I'd be interested to see some of your work. And does your school have a website or facebook page or anything?

[@jessidzung4789]

@Blossom I know your feeling, especially when going to training classes for university V and H (luyen thi khoi V, H) =.=

[@Finearts_]

That’s the right thing to do

[@Finearts_]

Because measuring a lot is not beneficial , the well trained eye could tell all the measurements with these methods u are using

[@chitrakarsanket]

hats off to the work you are doing and the wealth you are sharing ....!

[@Kitieification]

This is just what I needed. I am an instructor as well. I have learned in an atelier and prefer to work from sight size. I have been rather unpleasant to deal with because most schools don't have the equipment that an atelier has . I try to assimilate an atelier situation and get very frustrated. I could probably give much more of myself if I gave up the idea of having everything just wright and work by eye and proportions. I had taken many work shops myself before my academic training .

[@woolywonders5546]

Learned to use comparative measurement using pencil in high school art class. Best thing ever. Thanks for posting this.

[@duantorruellas716]

Comparative measurement by eye , width , length and angles. That's how I do it . Thx for another great video.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Duan!

[@FilomenaJackStudio]

This is a great explanation of the process! Thank you!!!

[@sammydyab7014]

That is what i call hard working.. Thank you Mr Alex

[@hannahnott-concepttoart7141]

Yes! I teach this to my students at private studio I work at. We have a small space so can only do so much.

[@hatimciabata]

Great information thanks a lot. I´m trying to learn how to draw. My biggest problems I recon is proportion and perspective. Can´t afford going to an atellier school. This was very informative, thanks a lot!

[@ericstorm4613]

A very mature explanation.

[@Joonudschi]

This artist is a great teacher.

[@crisalidathomassie1811]

Thanks for the video and your thoughts on size drawing.

[@blackcat138]

Wonderful explanation! I like your approach.

[@guilhermecevolani]

The sight size method is great for first education, because train your skills to sketch with free hand. I believe the comparative method is a natural evolution of artistic approach, and this is so beautiful! Hugs from a brazilian friend Alex, the channel is so helpful.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Guilherme. My personal feeling is that students should start with comparative measurement right from from the start. It's harder, but you'll train your eye faster. With sight size you're learning to use sight size i.e. relying on the plum line and the mirror and not using your eye as much. Then it can become a bit of a crutch.

[@michaelwhite8031]

Excellent work

[@margru8207]

Watching it appear from the shadows is cathartic

[@vamshiart]

You are the best so far, feels like you know exactly what I want as I am following your footsteps and learning myself

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you! Very glad you find my videos helpful

[@racine09]

I did not know that sight size thing - I usually go with your method , but good to know the atelier method anyway . thanks

[@samanthamaggard3996]

This drawing is beautiful. I am drawn to this more then the long Atelier cast drawings in a lot of ways.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Tank you Samantha!

[@lucianotradus]

Very beatiful drawing and nice counseling.

[@chejo6095]

you're amazing! thanks for posting these amazing videos!!!

[@sabaghandi7454]

Thank you for putting in the effort to make this video. The way you transform a few simple shapes into an amalgam of life, colour and meaning is breathtaking. I truly believe art is not about being entirely accurate or detailed, but perceiving something so beautifully that you change the way others see. I’ve always struggled with accuracy, especially in faces, so this really helps. What type of paper do you use for charcoal? Amazing work as always.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Saba! This is Ingres paper by Fabriano.

[@eslammohamedaziz3007]

This is true creativity, thank you, my teacher 👏🙏

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

You're welcome! Glad you like it.

[@samy7342]

Reeally cool, thank you!

[@adonisdinesh6379]

Love you sir....I'm looking for this content....thank you much

[@MHedron]

Marvelous and liberating!

[@MHedron]

Inspirated by your video I challenged myself to make a study of a a skull (pastic one which I have at home). With your help and insight you brought, I managed to complete it, more or less satisfying.

[@danfionte3367]

Thanks for posting this wonderful video, thorough but so simple. This is the method by which I was taught at university. I went to a school which focused very heavily on conceptual art and theory, and have always felt that I missed out on more foundational, representational techniques, thus I have considered attending some courses at a local atelier school to learn the sight size drawing, but have dreaded the heavy-handedness and wondered whether it is actually better than the comparative method or simply different. Thanks for reminding me that comparative is a completely viable method, in short you have just saved me a lot of time. I am not knocking what they are producing at all, but their methods are not my thing. Excellent drawing by the way.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

I feel like if you learn sight size, it works but you've learned to use sight size rather than learning to draw. And it's just too slow. What are you supposed to do with it in a quick pose like drawing class?

[@markr.katzman3743]

Very clearly put...many thanks ...great concepts - drawing and redrawing, and comparative measurements, and simplifying the large shapes, plus your approach or technique...thanks again...well done.

[@ashokkelkar272]

Excellent method u have demonstrated.

[@boyracer3000]

I followed your method at 3:59 and the drawing came out beautifully. Thank you!

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Glad your finding my videos useful!

[@sylvain_st_pierre_2019]

Really helpfull thanks so much

[@tod7977]

Great channel btw! Appreciated! Very helpful - THANKS!!!

[@tonym994]

that's not just a lesson, it's great art. I mean it. drawing is magic. I was "correcting" a mistake or two at my board here, and went looking for something about measuring better w/ my eyes. went decades w/ out drawing, and I want to draw as well as I once did before I started a little business. though I never produced anything as beautiful as this. I thought it was Darwin, at first. he's in my sketchbook. great subject. that is a great adage about mistakes ,and how we learn from them. I've got a boatload. and then there's my drawings. but seriously, I'd like to essentially try to be a cartoonist. I will return, sir. keep making great art .thank you. watching someone draw like that is better than seeing it on a gallery wall. it comes alive. well, back to the board.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you very much Tony, glad this was helpful. Good luck with your work!

[@tonym994]

@@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting thanx, my friend.

[@pumpkinspice1456]

Super helpful. Thank you :)

[@DGP406]

Thanks for the wisdom, friend.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

My pleasure! Glad it was helpful.

[@shepdoganimations6360]

That's excellent, thanks so much.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you! Glad it was helpful.

[@wolf7379]

Very well said! I agree completely!!

[@Gregasaurus]

amazing content. amazing teacher. beautifully executed

[@quentinmorales]

Love the content !

[@Jezz_Mcfly]

Wow - Brilliant. My art teacher taught me nothing... My dad did though. Love that - Thanks ✌

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Jezz!

[@paintwithdeepan1621]

Thank you so much I learn a new think from you.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

You're welcome Deepan!

[@AlexKellyArtUK]

Thanks - great explanation.

[@soupbonep]

I agree so much! That measuring is so specific and a pain in the a$$. I'm practicing to get good at likenesses and I don't want to do an elaborate set up every time. I want to simply have a sketchbook and some pencils right now.

[@mominsart]

Great Tutorial.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thanks

[@basiliocrespogarcia-baquer4309]

Magnífico. Fabuloso. Me encanta

[@peterlennig]

This was a revelation 🌱

[@artistaDas-tp8kr]

Amazing art work exelent work like it wonderful

[@newbbietrader9918]

awesome as usual

[@reneantich7481]

I'm not a fan of this method (sight size)...thank you for your insight!

[@awakenedgamming2426]

this is amazing

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Shokur!

[@diankardiana8451]

This is awesome

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Dian!

[@gigig2492]

I'd fix and frame it! Beautiful drawing!

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thanks

[@billpliske]

Well done!

[@billymandalay9504]

Rather relieved you're not an advocate of sight-size. 😄

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Damn right!

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

It's a cult!

[@johnnyblaze373]

Hey Alex, another great video, How is it that your drawing is so accurate? I know you say to trust the eye, but in terms of working out how the overall image fits on the paper, do you say, measure a head length and then count how many times it fits into the figure then plot it down on your paper? or in this case do you for instance measure the length from the nose bridge to the bottom of the nose and use that as a unit of length to workout sizes like the overall height and width? I hope this question makes sense. I have been practicing gestural drawing ie loomis method of using circles and rhythms of the face, the drawings come out ok, but i think this is more of a method for illustrators inventing faces/figures vs a representational aim. What is a good book or reference for practicing the way you were taught?

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thanks Johnny. In answer to your question, I never do any actual measuring, I just do it by eye. I decide the scale I'm working at by placing the top and bottom and then I literally just guess the width (if I want to work life size for a head, it's usually around 20cm, or the distance between your thumb and little finger with your hand stretched out is supposedly the same as the distance between your chin and hairline, try it?). I then stand back and compare and correct it accordingly. I find measuring takes to long and it isn't a fool proof method of accurate during. The number of times I've heard students say "but I measured it" when I point out a drawing mistake. As far as a book or a reference goes, unfortunately there isn't one I can think of. Harold Speed's method of drawing Ii don't think is the same but it's worth a read. There is an exercise, that I teach on my Mass Drawing course which I'm going to make into a series of videos. After I've finished my Zorn palette portrait demo.

[@johnnyblaze373]

@@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting awesome, thanks for the tips Alex, I'll subscribe to your channel so I can get a heads up of when the video is out. Cheers!

[@chakraarts4480]

Great job

[@bobbytirlea]

If it's "taller" no problem, you will have the El Greco feel... Just kidding. Great and masterful presentation, drawing is at the heart of everything! Thank you for the instructions!

[@rohitkrsharma7154]

Really its amazing😊

[@thedocshlaett5960]

great video

[@PappuDas-fq1ll]

Sir can you make another charcoal drawing video.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

I will do soon

[@cochinealake]

An other good video. Thank you.

[@michaelgervais2901]

Amazing!!!

[@art-tt8tk]

Wow 🦊❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@derekfernandez7701]

Alex this is such a succinct video explaining the benefits and techniques of mass drawing! It is so amazing to see how you can make this technique work with different mediums such as charcoal! I was wondering if this technique could be used with watercolour too? Watercolour tends to be laid down light to dark, so that is where I'm struggling to merge the technique of mass drawing with it. Thanks again for your amazing channel and descriptions! ❤️

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

The other thing that would be difficult with water colour is that it dries instantly. So you wouldn't be able move the masses around in the same way that you do with oils. I imagine you could probably achieve was drawing effects with water colour or goache with some thought. Massing in the lights first and then the darks, but you'd have to have the shapes worked out accurately so you know exactly where you want them to go? Am I making sense?

[@derekfernandez7701]

@@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting Wow thanks so much for your quick and detailed reply Alex! This makes so much sense now thank you for your explanation! The power of this technique is in the ability to move the masses - they are not fixed but malleable. That is a very liberating concept for me! I think I understand what you mean with watercolour and gouche - you would modify the drawing stage to focus more on midtones maybe - and like you say - accurate placement of darks.. Watercolour is my medium at the moment so I'm on a journey! haha Thanks again Alex, I'm so grateful! ❤️

[@newbbietrader9918]

Alex ,everytime I got into trouble with my drawing gotta See your videos again no matter if it has been years ever since,they are sooo Enlightening!!! Have a question, it maybe stupid but can we apply the same concept when drawing with pencil?

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

As far as the actual drawing is concerned i.e. seeing the shapes and comparing height versus width, the same applies when working in pencil. However, the way you apply the values will be different from the charcoal technique I'm using here. When you mass in the darks, you'll start by hatching them in very lightly, then cross hatch gradually working towards the darkest notes. Whereas I'm using the charcoal like paint, Massing in all the darks and then lightening them by lifting off the charcoal.

[@newbbietrader9918]

@@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting great reply!!thanks a lot for real

[@sictransitgloriamundi7590]

Tu si che sei bravo aspetto insegnare 👏👏👏

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Grazie!

[@lubnamusad5985]

it's perfect

[@1799Daniel]

I love to use comparative measure because I'm not so interested in reaching perfect accuracy through all the drawing or painting, I just want to enjoy proportions and structure which always leads to a correct representation and I can finish the drawing quickier . Do you think this is one of the best ways to learn to make bigger drawings or there is a better method?

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

The larger the drawing the harder it is to be accurate, simply because there is more room of error. But you can still use comparative measurement working larger than life size, as the height to width ratio will remain the same. You can only use sight size if you're working at actual size with your canvas placed right next to your model, or smaller if your canvas is placed in front of the model. Another advantage of comparative measurement is you can at life size, or any size you like with your canvas placed in front of the model.

[@ndc944]

Could you make more tutorials about face Structure and understanding the planes of the face .

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Are these an help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJCshZKcmJZ4pdE kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXTXd56gpd-JoLM

[@ndc944]

@@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting I've seen it , I was thinking something where you use pencil or charcoal . Like simple drawing .

[@frank-j6l2z]

Hello, Alex, good to see you. you used to have a video on how to frame, did you take it away? would be nice if you could post it. love greetings frank

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Hi Frank, you must be mixing me up with another channel. I've never made a video on framing and I've never taken any of my videos down. I do have some videos on making supports of that's what you mean? kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJPKfIiKotOpfZY

[@trailagob]

funny, i like you and your sense of humour

[@anyazebell3574]

AHHH I love this so much! It looks amazing!Thank you for sharing. Also, I was trying to find the paper that you use for your drawings and I thought you said medium grain paper but the one that I could find on amazon doesn't look like yours bc it doesn't have the gride like yours has. Is there a specific place I can get the paper online?

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

The paper I use is called "Ingres" by a company called Fabriano. Are in the UK? I get it from here www.johnpurcell.net

[@anyazebell3574]

Thank you so much! No, I'm in US :) I'm sure I can get it from this website or look around a little bit more on the internet to see if anyone sells it that is closer to me.

[@SuperBoyForEverythin]

It took me 1 try at the sight-size drawing to come across all the difficulties described in this video, I felt incredible resistance to the difficulties. I was straining my eye by closing it and measuring it all the time and it felt tiring. I've never had steady hands, I can't keep it steady when measuring, the tip of my pencil or my thumb kept going up and down so I'd always get an inaccurate measure. It'd keep on adding up with one inaccurate measure to another. How do I know if I am keeping my pencil at a 90 degree angle horizontally or vertically? I'd just be making stuff up at some point and I'd feel like what I'm doing is losing it's purpose. What you've described in the video as comparative measurement is something that I think I've found out accidentally as a kid by redrawing some stuff from a fantasy book, I ended up with really good looking drawings, my peers thought I was tracing them, I saw the mistakes in the drawing by the eye when I finished, which I also saw as I drew along but decided to ignore them, if I had corrected them, I would've ended with a better drawing for sure. While I still feel some guilt at not having the discipline to measure with a pencil and be so rigorous about drawing (mad props to the people who approach it that way btw), this video is encouraging to try something else. I think I'll approach drawing as a puzzle set, start by getting the borders of the puzzle piece and start throwing the puzzle pieces in there, see what doesn't fit compared to the other pieces and start correcting it, I'll still definitely use a plumb line or multiple plumb lines, multiple horizontal and vertical lines to help me get these puzzle pieces in place. Maybe there is still hope for me and drawing..haha, it can just be incredibly frustrating with all the different info online and being self-taught

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Accurate proportion is basically the height to width ratio of any particular shape, which I believe it's possible to see without measuring. The difficult thing isn't actually the seeing if a shape it too wide or too tall, the difficult bit is finding the shape. When I'm teaching, if I point the thing out to my student, "what's wrong with the forehead" or whatever, they can always see it "oh it's too tall". The difficult thing when drawing, is being able to convert the complex world as it presents itself to us, into flat that we can actually measure, then systematically locating the shape that is wrong. Once we've found it, measuring it is easy.

[@basedbattledroid3507]

Thank you!!

[@jimisi7424]

Nice!

[@PHeMoX]

As for the walking back part, wouldn't it make more sense to relocate your easel at a further distance from the object in order for the object to match canvas size? Either way I would agree with your criticisms of using sight size drawing though. To me it doesn't make much sense either training only the ability to draw something from the 'optimal' distance. Yes, it is hard to draw proportionally at first, however once you understand the translation within the framework of the canvas it is actually quite easy. Well, easy is perhaps the wrong word, as it still requires accurate drawing. But in a sense you'd block in with large shapes subdividing the canvas so the general proportions and large features are there. Then add smaller shapes and details from there. As each shape is measured relative to total canvas size and shape sizes in proximity, you'll end up with a fairly accurate drawing that way too. Angles can be measured with a brush handle to check. Anyway, good video. I'd like to see more someday!

[@ButchCurry]

Yeah, the version of sight size he's describing is only really applicable if you are trying to draw something *life* size. Sight size really just means, "draw it the size you see it", which doesn't require the 'set up right next to it, step back, measure, step forward, make a mark' process. Robert Fawcett talks about sight size as it's used day to day - like I said, just drawing things the size you see them - in his book 'On The Art Of Drawing', which I highly recommend, and Marc Dalessio uses it in his plein air painting, which you can see in his demo videos on his channel.

[@KillerLettuce]

I can't even get my charcoal to erase enough to create highlights, so if I go over a light spot its going to get muddy as I try to erase the marks.

[@centralforro5283]

Dónde comprar esta pieza de yeso para practicar

[@bonafideart1185]

Great

[@helenwilson5744]

Thank you for this, this is also how I work. Too much measurement kills a drawing.

[@annaleopardi2509]

For erasing some of the dark parts, did you only use your fingers o did you also use a kneaded eraser?

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

I only use a kneaded eraser for the lightest highlights and only after I'm 100% certain they're in the right place. The rubber leaves a residue and if you have to go over it with charcoal it gets messy. I mainly use my fingers and a stump for the smaller shapes. In this video I explain about the more visual aspects of my approach to drawing. Here's a link to another video where I talk more about my actual charcoal technique kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXTdq4lui5anY5o

[@annaleopardi2509]

SIMPLIFY Drawing & Painting thanks!

[@vekkdrums]

I love this video so much! So helpful!! One question, with what tool are you "pushing" the charcoal with? I like the way those strokes look like but I can't achieve that look. Thx

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Thank you Bruno. I use my fingers quite a lot. I unify the charcoal by rubbing it in to the paper, then lifting it off. It's not the easiest charcoal technique and it can get quite messy sometimes, but I'm able to achieve some quite nice effects with it. I also use a stump and a rubber, to lift off smaller highlights.

[@RealmsOfThePossible]

What are your thoughts of working with Bargue plates?

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

I've never used them myself so I can't really say if they're helpful. Copying Bargue drawings does seem like quite a tedious exercise and as you'll know from watching this video, I'm not a big fan of sight size. But then, I suppose some of the stuff I recommend beginners do, like the still life exercises on this channel, are quite tedious too.

[@renzo6490]

@@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting- I practiced copying some of the Bargue Plates not to make exact replicas but just to get experience training my eye. Like anything, the more you practice, the better you get at it. You just have to trust that it is true.

[@winstonsmith5854]

Sooooo great

[@wakarlajc23]

Brilliant

[@nomoremrniceguy368]

Hi. You're video just came up on my yt stream. Very nice, ty. A couple of things I'd like to ask please : with the atelier sight size using the string, how does one make a mark if both hands are used to measure? Is an estimate made first on paper, then related to the string then re - drawn if incorrect? I usually draw on a3 with charcoal and have a photo on my tablet next to me that I try to draw a portrait from. I just estimate the size I want that fills the paper then correct as I go along. I'm ok, but I think I could progress more if I had a way of transferring properly the small size to big paper accurately. This seems to be key to getting a likeness. I can't measure from the tablet as it's too small, but I compare say the distance from the eyes to the side of the head is the same as some other measurement I can find on the face and do it that way. Should I use a proportional divider? Although, I'm not sure it would work up to A2 size or so? If you follow what I'm saying, I'd appreciate your thoughts!

[@rajupudur5869]

Awesome

[@daylamfernandezdecastro1038]

Hi, can you tell how you set this? How long you stand apart of the model? Thanks was very interesting video.

[@SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

My easel was a couple of feet in front of the cast, but I was still able to draw a life size head. I was standing back about 1.5m.