How To Grid A Picture To Draw (Why it's BETTER than tracing!)

In this video I show you why using a grid to draw graphite portraits, animals and more is better than tracing. Use this method and you can draw without tracing, suitable for beginners and experienced artists in sketching and drawing. Learn to scale up any picture to make a great piece of pencil art or under-drawing for any painting or craft.
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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Introduction
2:11 Grids can enlarge your picture
2:45 You still get the satisfaction of drawing by hand
3:01 Less artificial looking than tracing
3:32 Using a grid improves your drawing skills
4:12 How to size and draw a grid for your photo
13:30 How to transfer your gridded photo onto your paper
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• How To Grid A Picture ...

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Let me know if this was helpful and try this video next: Improve your Drawing Skills (10 Fast Tips!) kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5mahoppp7Ktr5o

[@andycleary6209]

To check if your grid outline is square measure from top left corner to bottom right then top right to bottom left, if both measurements are the same then you outline is perfectly square.

[@Psyicman]

I have heard of and used this method all the time. One thing I’ve done with some art project is use a water soluble graphite with graphitint and watercolor paintings. HB graphite just disappears. Just don’t go to heavy handed otherwise you can accidentally tint some watercolors.

[@DianaStitching]

This was really helpful, thank you x

[@artkitekviktor6897]

Yes, that is so helpful. Keep it up.👍

[@keeponkeepinon9363]

I like your videos very much. On this particular video, I was excited to "re-visit" the grid method from my art school days. I was disappointed though because I found the video confusing (only meant as a positive critique ) even though I already understood how to do this. A friendly request: please consider re-doing this video using Slower & more "Deliberate" speaking. I'm not a "math person" either, but ya gotta speak slower and w more inflection, when teaching more complex subjects. Kind of like what military "drill sergeants" do when they train new recruits by shouting insults & orders at them.... they raise their voices as needed.

[@moniquecaton3285]

I always use a grid on my photos and canvas. My art teacher taught that in the early 70s. I truly love your work! The things you are doing are not being taught anymore. Not in the lower grades.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thank you - oh don't get me started, my daughter is 26 and she was given no technical guidance in art whatsoever, just told to 'express yourself'. It's so frustrating for them, pretty hard to express yourself when you don't know how to make the medium do what you want!

[@jondoh587]

I'm older than that, but the "express yourself" form of teaching is why I never learned grammar! Reading books is the only thing that saved my writing from being totally incomprehensible.

[@brackalack1]

Perfect example of why I hate gridding up, I always end up with the dots wrong! I just lightly trace basic shapes now with a light box then do my drawing over the top of the shapes. Less is more when tracing! If you're going big then a projector helps too.

[@kyliemartin8524]

I love your teaching style Michelle and your honesty. I had exactly the same thought today, as I too make clothes but am appalling at maths. But I told myself today, I can make something three dimensional out of a flat piece of cloth. And here you are saying the same thing. You are fabulous. My drawing is coming along nicely. I seem to have a natural talent. Which I’m very pleased to say. So onwards and upwards. 😘

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Brilliant, keep going Kylie!

[@CarlWinter-oy8uf]

Been using grid system for over 50 years ---still the most accurate ---well done !

[@kathlynsteinman3599]

This is the way I learned in college. The results made me appear to be a much better drawer than I actually was.

[@michelleanne9530]

This was so helpful to me. I learned about drawing grids years ago but was so discouraged by the experience that I gave up (age has made me much more patient). Now I am completely excited about it. Thank you for being a good teacher.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Ah, I am so pleased!

[@gracewest8452]

I am so happy that you covered this topic. I was curious and tried to do it on my own, but it's best when a teacher explains--thank you!

[@jimscanoe]

I use an overhead projector which shines any picture I have on my computer (including all my photographs and any other pictures on the internet) down onto my watercolor paper. I then trace the picture with as much detail as I want and, as Bob's your uncle, I'm ready to paint. The great Dutch painter, Johannes Vermeer (Girl with a Pearl Earring, The Milkmaid, ...) in the mid 16 hundreds, used a similar setup to draw all his subjects and, hey, if it's good enough for Vermeer, it's good enough for me.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Sounds great!

[@claudeclawsonne4510]

I have used grids for decades and was very tickled when our teacher shared it. It was American high school and a year or two before graduation and I'd been working on my drawing skills for decades by then, but still found this a real joy to use. I've since learned how to use tracing and all sorts of other techniques to make my work better ad since added computer skills to the mix, but when I speak to new artists who think they have no drawing skills I make sure to teach them this technique since, as you pointed out they are still exercising those parts of the brain that allow you to draw accurately by eye! It thrilled me so to learn how to do this. Grids have been at the basis of so many of my best work! The old carpentry saying truly applies here in spades: "measure twice; (or more! There's no measuring tax, so go nuts! make certain!) cut (or in our case draw) once" Cheers, Michelle. Well done lesson!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks!

[@stewartjen8900]

Thank you Michele, it makes a lot of sense now to use a grid instead of tracing. I love your inclusion of the errors. It helps to know how to correct mistakes. Very informative.

[@aliciashackley5830]

I’ve heard others refer to the grid system before but never have utilized it. Thx for this very useful video Michele.🥰

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You’re welcome 😊

[@mickhamilton8385]

Nice work. I've used this technique over many years and I find it very helpful to number all the grid lines vertically and horizontally to prevent drawing in the wrong square.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Great tip!

[@natlisan]

Another great informative video Michele! I use the grid mostly when I'm trying to capture a likeness as you mentioned. I draw directly on my watercolour paper with a col-erase colored pencil in a warm grey colour. It's dark enough to see while painting and It doesn't smudge like the graphite, it also keeps my colours from getting muddy because the wax content in the pencil keeps the watercolour from picking up the pencil.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Great tip!

[@user-tg8wh7uz3j]

Great guidance. Really informative start to finish. Thank you.

[@JA-ed1tj]

I learned this technique in elementary school, in the 1960s. We used our favorite cartoons. Mine was a cartoon by Harvey Comics named Hot Stuff (little devil). I remember being very pleased with the results! Thank you for reminding me of this technique. I had forgotten how to do it. I want to draw my granddaughters. This will certainly help! Thank you so much!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Sounds great!

[@valeriec675]

I never understood how to use the grid system to expand a photo, now I do. Thank you!

[@donnamarquart3872]

I took several art classes one oil for beginners and watercolor for beginners. This technique of grid was taught. It works great! Thank you. From USA

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Wonderful!

[@susancook1617]

Thank you Michele, fantastic tutorial.

[@joykruczay]

Another great one! On the rare occasions I use a grid, I try to make the drawing squares as large as the subject will tolerate, which brings in more drawing skills but retains proportions. And less "maths", as you would say! Thank you for your cheerful demeanor and teaching style.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks for sharing!

[@freddi896]

Thanks for the grid drawing.. very helpful!!

[@lynntaylor9964]

Great tutorial , I have always wanted to try this method.

[@lemuelfayiah9222]

Thank a lot, I truly appreciate your work, I have learned greatly from you

[@adeledallasorr4736]

Nice to learn how to make and use a grid, thank you Michelle

[@miharadissanayake7738]

This video is incredibly helpful and since it's real time it's easy to grasp the idea. i love the commentary also. Thank you!

[@CarlWinter-oy8uf]

This grid is still the best enlargement system --I agree with you 100 %

[@marcwheeler4406]

Grid drawing brings back to highschool when my art teacher told me to give up I'll never be able to do art work it was harsh I stopped drawing and painting subdued my creative side any art themes were just put off to the back burner...then ....but I just did my landscape design spacial work drawings for my landscape business then I had accident and t life changed then the pandemic hit I really never thought I could do art again till friends suggestions...I really understood when you did video about how it took you so long to reacquire your love of art and used that live to reestablish yourself in the art community and become successful...I wish they would teach art teachers that art isnt about just reality it's about the fulfillment of joy in your heart and soul for theres beauty in many different forms of art...🎨✍....mikelle art mom

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

So glad you found your way back to art in the end!

[@isellehalforty1219]

Clear and concise. Easy to follow.

[@melodycrites3145]

Thanks for a wonderful tutorial Michele!

[@marypartridge5154]

Thank you, you explain so clearly and you dont go to fast. Us artists often find maths and computers hard so simple is great. Great teacher.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Wow, thank you!

[@nikkia9506]

Am I the only one surprisingly impressed by the way your green pencil matched your ring?

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Totally did that on purpose ;-)

[@margaretstewart4058]

What a lovey photograph. Lines of experience and beauty for sure.

[@michaelpaul1802]

Awesome! really useful in trying to get the right proportions and angles! Thank you!

[@janebridge1325]

This is so helpful, Michele, thank you so much for explaining the grid process so clearly. I am challenged mathematically too, but I’m sure I can follow this! Much appreciated!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You are so welcome!

[@louisehones]

Thank you for this video! It is so helpful and you are a delight to listen to!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nanschifris8734]

Fabulous video!! I can’t wait to try this! Thank you for explaining and then walking through an example. This is a game-changer for me.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Brilliant, and thank you!

[@Nitukumari-wj7xd]

Thanks, I have heard about this technique many times but didn't know how to do it,but your video helped me and this was the only video I needed, thank you so muchhh

[@user-qr2hu2os5n]

Thank you very much for this video. I have watched quite a few of your videos now and always find them interesting and useful.😊

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Great to hear!

[@evahagemeyer9142]

I do love your humor in addition to the tutorials

[@gaylemcduffa670]

Very well explained and demonstrated. I love your videos. Thank you so so much.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You are so welcome!

[@marthamorris9596]

Thank you for this lesson Michele! It's made me brave enough to try grinding again. I'm so glad I was smart enough to subscribe to your channel when I found you! What a lovely teacher you are!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks so much Martha!

[@billfourie8734]

Excellent presentation. Thanks Michele

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You're very welcome!

[@tbm7187]

Finally a thorough explanation of grids and their use! Thanks Michele!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

My pleasure!

[@visualarthistory]

"Have a look at their teeth" 😂thank you for a well-needed chuckle and for this excellent discussion of the grid process.

[@grandmary42]

This was very helpful! Thank you.

[@christophpenny1457]

Thank you for this mind blowing video and thanks to Rosie Coles as well ❤

[@1fredricka]

very clear step by step directions on how to make grid. Thank You

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You are welcome!

[@shahirahabib2947]

Michelle you are amazing ❤️I learn soooo much from you. Thank you😊

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thank you so much!

[@olgamaughan7744]

Another great video. I have never used a grid before, but I will defo give it a try. you make it look so easy. Thank you.

[@YveWin]

This has been on my “Research This” list for a good while. Glad it came up. 🙂

[@terrileslie7265]

This was a refresher video for me. Thanks for the reminder on how to use the grid system.

[@joandamron]

Very informative! Thank you, Michele.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks for watching!

[@tracyrichards4961]

I really like your informative videos. You’re doing a good job thank you

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

I appreciate that!

[@garyhoneybuss6965]

Michelle thank you so much for the excellent work. You have no idea how encourage I am right now you rock

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Ah thank you!

[@user-go6on8qs6n]

The grid technique helped me tremendously. It gave me confidence to start drawing more with my watercolors, rather than tracing. You are wonderfully talented as an artist and a teacher!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

I'm glad it was helpful!

[@eddiepalmer5740]

Love your videos, your talent and knowledge; and you're an excellent teacher.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks Eddie!

[@vickibonilla4510]

Very good video. So helpful

[@jns0913]

Thanks for making this accessible for beginners

[@vraney59]

This is a wonderful help for me!

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

Thanks for sharing this with us. I am so glad you explained this especially when doing the second grid part of upgrading it to the paper. I have finally figured out how & why I was always messing up with using the grid system. I have tried it & not succeeded well because I didn’t know how to get it done correctly. I have always just tried to get it drawn by eye with most things & just live with the wonkiness. I need to do a grid mostly with portraits. Happy Birthday 🎈🎊 Michele!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you!

[@vshe4311]

I taught graphing in my seventh grade art class with amazing results. It takes patience and not skipping any of the steps.

[@anagr5]

Thank you Michele! Very helpful and easy to follow video.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad it was helpful!

[@cherylj.harris4967]

I have wanted to learn this for some time! I’m so excited to try it! Many thanks.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Have fun!

[@rebeccaclark5652]

This video was extremely helpful! I always see people mentioning the grid method briefly, but never really going into detail about it. Thanks!

[@margaretbailey1445]

Thank you so much. It was very helpful.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You're welcome!

[@chrispolette8443]

This was so helpful! I will definitely use this technique. Thank you! And thank you for your sense of humor; it is food for the soul!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@loisallen3078]

Thank you Michele, this is so helpful as I would love to do some sketching and this will be very helpful in getting proportions correct which I find difficult sometimes.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Eem1959]

Very helpful thank you

[@janelintern6969]

Thank you so much - this is by far the best description of how to grid up - thank you for taking the time and making it so natural as well! Best wishes. Jane/Oxford

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lizsganga8440]

This video was so helpful and clearly explained. Thank you!!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You are so welcome!

[@kathrynedickinson6306]

Your tutorials are great!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thank you!

[@JohnHLangley54321]

This is by far, hands down, the best tutorial I've seen on how to grid. Thank you so much!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Wow, thanks!

[@sandyl3952]

Thank you for responding to our requests for grid drawing. Thank you also for your thorough explanation. I am learning a great deal and that makes me happy. You are a great teacher!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

So nice of you

[@bethroegner9073]

Besides your expertise, I enjoy your humor, too. Thank you for making these fabulous videos!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks for watching!

[@leonavandermeer2222]

Thanks! This is a game changer!

[@zigwing2974]

I learn a lot from you, u are very good.

[@kaitlynkaczka8869]

Thank you for yet another great video

[@1radruth]

🙂👍🏻thank you. I'm going to try this.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Hope you enjoy

[@sofievanherle4570]

Michelle, your videos are always awesome, and I simply ADORE your humour. Always looking forward to the next one. This one was again very helpful. Many thanks, also for the advice concerning checking out potential suitor's teeth. 🙃

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Ha ha, not a problem, thanks for watching!

[@vincentcirivello8632]

Very helpful, thank you.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You're welcome!

[@safala]

Thank you, Michele. I really needed this video. As always, you have given me all the basics to get started right away rather than go on a hunt for more information and I really love and appreciate that about you.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

I'm so glad!

[@safala]

@@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber I ended up drawing a building Heydar Aliyev Center using this method and I must say, that was the best drawing I've ever done on my life.

[@wendychampness1901]

Thanks very much for this ❣️ I will be trying this out tomorrow 😊

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Hope you like it!

[@kathrynoreilly6064]

very useful, what a good teacher you are

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thank you! 😃

[@SierraNovemberKilo]

Love to see errors & recovery. Done with absolute panache! Great advice as usual. Belated happy birthday greetings 🎂 🍾🍷

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks so much!

[@jeannettereilly8888]

Wonderful and very practical! Thank you!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks for watching 🙏

[@stephenfularz7573]

Good art imformation.

[@patriciacrumrine5890]

Yes, very helpful. I’ve do e gridding once and it worked a treat! Great to hear some tips and methods. I’m inspired.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Great to hear!

[@chriswright7608]

I will give this a try - thanks 😊

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Hope you like it!

[@glendaB43]

Thank you. Very helpful.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You're welcome!

[@rogerking3449]

I learned a lot. Thanks M.W.!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You're welcome 🙂

[@believerkeeper956]

Thank you for working through the process and sharing how to correct mistakes.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Thanks for watching!

[@milels6917]

I think I would buy the all ready made grid on tracing paper I have always admired people who can do portrait painting or drawing so now you have been a wonderful teacher just what I need thanks 🙏

[@shashiprasad4446]

Thank You so much for sharing Ma’am 🙏😍

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

My pleasure 😊

[@paulkemp6459]

Hi Michele, I just finished watching your video and I appreciate you sharing your knowledge, it was very informative and I plan on adding this to my bag of tricks. Hope you have a safe and blessed 2022. Thanks from Alabama

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad it was helpful! Hello Alabama!

[@goilo888]

There is an easier way to draw a grid that doesn’t involve measuring; take a strip of wood like a ruler (or rule, for the pedantic) that is the width of your intended squares. Then simply draw the lines using the already laid down lines to line up the wood each time. For large canvases just get a strip of wood from your local home reno store.

[@1950francesca]

I imagine then you might end up with a fraction of a square when you're done, but that shouldn't be much of a problem. Thanks for the tip!

[@goilo888]

@@1950francesca Yes, that can happen, but like you said, isn't a problem. Just makes it so much easier.

[@millicentokocha319]

Thank you Michelle, so expository.

[@MrsJoSmith]

Thank you so much for this, everyone goes on about the grid system but have not explained it like you did. Thanks again so much.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

No worries!

[@jimorlowski5051]

So glad that you kept your adjustment/correction of the first grid; we 'all' do these errors even super artists like Michele; thanks for the lesson; thanks for the honesty!

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

I don't have the time to edit to perfection, it would take a long time with all the errors I make!

[@Chris-kh2fm]

Happy Birthday. Being new to drawing and painting I've not come across this technique, so this was really useful.

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

Glad it was helpful! And thank you!

[@cp-ek5rs]

Thank you,I have always tried to draw free hand and it sometimes took many tries to get right.This video is so helpful and has made everything easier and clearer.Thank you .

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

You're welcome 😊

[@donnalynnsteinmetz6313]

I love your videos. Thank you

[@IntheStudiowithMicheleWebber]

So nice of you