Proportional Divider The Best Keep Secret to Improve Your Drawing

[@janicewalters9665]

What a breath of fresh air! Finally someone who knows what he is talking about and easy to follow. I’ve looked for this man for a lifetime. I’m now 71; thanks for educating me.

[@CometsArtDrawing]

Excellent Drawing, I also need your support. Thank You!

[@montygemma]

I was like you , drawing, painting for ages, five years at art school and never was I introduced to one of these. Now I've got one I don't go anywhere without it. You can measure sight size, scale up, get angles if you hold one part up straight and move the other, or just use it as a measuring stick, and the holes in it are really helpful there sometimes. Brilliant piece of kit.

[@StefanBaumann]

thanks for sharing

[@DriftingDraftsman]

Woah I never thought of getting angles with that. Thanks!

[@sunriseboy4837]

Plenty of people 'paint'; few can draw. Thanks Stefan, this was wonderful.

[@urbanchili]

So nice to watch a video by someone who actually know what they are doing. One curse of the internet is, to many people offers art classes and they don't know how to teach. All they do is draw/paint a pictures and say things like "don't over think it", "just go with the flow", "Use your own choice of colours". That is not teaching. If people can't explain every step of the process, they shouldn't be teaching.

[@ooXChrissieXoo]

I think that's just people as a whole, when they have too much of something, they want the exact opposite. I can just imagine, like he said this tool is not even new, and when they used to use too much of it, group of these internet art teacher type of people went, oh why bother, just relax and draw. Then all of a sudden, humanity need to relearn how to draw. I teach art in a high-school, and I would explain to them, look at proportions, how things are related to each others. Don't buy premix paints, I explained temperature, mixing the perfect purple, all the fun stuff. Kids continued to bring tube paints instead of mixing, so I stopped them from bringing their own, and gave them my own paint. Next thing is the school wants me to relax, because "I was limiting the students' creativity, because I don't let them use colors". So I did, like why do I want to argue for more work and waste my own paint, when school wants this class to be in their exact words "relax, creative and fun." Next thing is oh all of a sudden when admin did the annual evaluation, and they see kids painting whatever they want; they just decided I don't teach the technique, and I was told there's a reason school hires a teacher. I was like BRUH! You betrayed me!

[@penelope-oe2vr]

You're so right, its basically watching them do it well, without actually explaining WHY or HOW they got to that point, and just saying generic things, not actual knowledge. They should just be quiet, put on music and let us watch them draw. This man is actually teaching HOW , I've learned more from him, and he didn't actually draw much of anything. He's a REAL teacher!

[@thenamlesssubscriber5484]

Well said

[@urbanchili]

@@ooXChrissieXoo As a kid, when I had art classes we used rather good materials and we didn't even know it. Today I cringe when I think about how much money went down the drain, because of that. Only like 3 out of maybe 40 ever made a living in art and we would probably had done it without expensive materials, because we all do in digital art.

[@urbanchili]

@@penelope-oe2vr The problem with many of those online classes is; they cost money and some cost a lot. Someone get a lot of followers on youtube and the followers get starstruck and the youtubers can sell anything to them. Even classes where, all the maybe learn, is to make a copy of what the "teacher" is making during "class".

[@kathleenhutter4412]

Dividers are actually very useful! Oddly enough I first learned of them fom my husband who's a woodworker. He learned it from his father. You can use them in stead of measuring, and especially when things repeat. They excel at "recording" or measuring proportions. Such a simple and effective tool!

[@hberbac838]

I remember my uncle, a cabinet maker, using something like this. I never thought of it for drawing...duh on me. I just ordered one and am really looking forward to using it. I must watch more of this man's videos. Not into oil painting as it is far too costly for me, but do like other mediums. Just drawing can be fun, too.

[@thecentralscrutinizerr]

The Moral of the Video is "Never let school interfere with your education."

[@hwt-ka-pth]

Nice

[@Pawgee]

Stefan I took a beginning class in 1969 at age of 19 now at age of 67 I have had the most important class I ever took...I thank you so very much...

[@HeliPadUSA]

So glad I can find teachers like you after the ones I had before. I could listen to you all day. So much stuff in each video and not a pretentious teacher. Wish I knew this 44 years ago.

[@vegasrenie]

Heli PadUSA - Totally agree!

[@ellesnyder942]

I bought a proportional divider after seeing this the first time and used it on a portrait I wasn't happy with after reworking it a few times. I tried this gizmo on my painting and was able to correct the issues I was having with it. Thanks!

[@celiastratton6167]

I have been so frustrated on here looking for avideo of how to draw the portions of the human body. I cannot believe the people on here that do not explain anything at all in the right way in order for a beginner to understand...I am absolutely frustrated....until I got to your video...you have a calming voice and you seem like a person who is happy and a good teacher thank you so much for helping me finally I found someone who knows what they are doing!!! I've been a arriest my entire life but have not drawn anything in years...I'm drawing the comic character "Lobo" for my boyfriend and it's bring back memories of how stressfully it is to be an artist at times...and how much focusyou have to put in on a piece of work. Thanks again for your video!!

[@daytonagreg8765]

Now THIS is real advanced education. I have a B.S. in Computer Science and I’ve taken excellent college courses & ridiculous college courses. This is the real deal, a professional sharing years of experience. Thank you sir!

[@Nancymarie410]

I have learned more from you in the few videos I watched then any class I have taken, I wanted to learn the basics of oil painting and took a class through the college, the teacher told us what products to use then said find a picture you want to do and just do that. That was as far as she got, she just sat in the front of the room and did nothing else but hand out printed paper of basic theory that I was taught in kindergarten. I just want to thank you for wonderful lessons.

[@MontegueWizard]

I learned what a proportional divider was about 1980. I was a draftsman (woman) for my dad, who was a geologist. That was back in.the day when drafting was done with pen and ink, lettering guides, flexible curves, templates, drafting tape, etc. It was a very nice architectural type divider, which did on occasion draw a little blood, but I've had worse paper cuts! I used it working as a draftsman and while I was going to art school. I loved it and it was great for more than just drawing. It disappeared after he retired, and so has the art of drafting. I wonder if most CAD-ers today would know what a swing arm and a lettering guide was.

[@Geostationary0rbit]

That’s so cool, I wish I had that background! Time to find out what a swing arm is!

[@PiaBros]

Just started painting/drawing four years ago at 72 years of age and got myself one of these but have not been using it much because felt it was kind of like cheating. You have made sense of it all and and in such an easy way. Many thanks.

[@Mmothership68]

The difference between the true masters and us mere mortals is they became self sufficient in their techniques. Always rely on yourself,ask questions of yourself, be honest and never be afraid to push your boundaries. Tools help,absolutely. But we already have that tool locked away in our brains. Learn to access it. Then you'll never be without. Love the video.

[@safeschoolsofus]

"Never let school interfere with your education." Great tip !!

[@ronschlorff7089]

A true "badge of honor" to be sure to be "thrown out of art school", particularly the ones you mentioned early on here, in the previous few decades, and today as well. Good for you Stefan!! Really good stuff on your video's subject here too, thanks!!

[@corakiart]

I love to hear all that an artist says. Experience is the greatest teacher and I love the side story.

[@IdowuIbrahim]

I should get you a gold watch... One of your viewers posted a link to your page on the oil color facebook page. I studied art up till the secondary school level and i now practice as a lawyer. I have kept my passion alive by painting for over a decade and a half and i can confirm that most of the things you teach i happen to stumble upon by happenchance. I have to admit that my initial reaction after seeing three of your videos was to go home, throw all my materials away and set all my works ablaze. However, if there is something i have learnt from the few videos i have seen, it is the fact that the 12 important factors required for a great painting should be deliberately factored into the work and not something that comes of by chance. Definitely downloading the free ebook. Thank you soooooooooo much.

[@sandracointreau3989]

Very helpful indeed. I am looking forward after 50 years of drawing and painting to finally minimizing the erasing I have to do under my watercolor portraits. Yaay!!

[@gmoore6166]

I’ve used proportional dividers for 40 plus years in drawings and there is a difference in the cheap plastic and the nice drafting dividers, the nice drafting dividers are more refined and you can get far more portions rather than the holes in the plastic. In a pinch you can even make your own dividers from wood. Great class on the use of dividers which are an important tool in an artist tool palette:)

[@vivianeb90]

Wow, I'm blown away. Thank you, that is amazing.

[@zoutewand]

Im a woodworker and people always forget how fundamental the divider is. If you use it well, you can use it to create straight lines, straight edges, a measurement system, builders levels, surveying tools. And all you need to create those things? A piece of string, a nail and a pencil. Dividers are so deeply linked with the progress of humankind. Amazing tools.

[@jose.jessy.justin]

Nobody is going to comment on the smooth transitions in this video. P.S - Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. Much appreciated. Love from India.

[@scattrr]

They're perfect, the timing & the fade!

[@patriciaatkinson2435]

Thank you. You have reminded me that line is beautiful but mass is truth. Returning to "art stuff" after 25 years!

[@cathyd5277]

Oh!! I just saw you in utube and I'm so soo happy!! I watched you paint and explain things on TV ... then you weren't on TV anymore....Just wanted to tell you I love I can see you work and you telling/explain again.....happy happy!

[@RoosterPootPottery]

Thank you for this video. Art classes 40 yrs ago never taught me how to use this. Now that I am back to art, I have to retract myself!!!!

[@linearchitect]

Even art teacher cannot make a straight line. Thank you for sharing.

[@teresafuller3912]

I learned a lot from my drawing professor, Karen Adrienne, at UMA, in Maine. I was amazed at my progression just in the short span of one college class. We had opportunity to draw nudes, both male and female. I was intimidated at first, but she made it very approachable. A good teacher is priceless

[@teresafuller3912]

I'm glad to have discovered this. I bought myself one of these things from Amazon last summer n wasn't sure if it was really useful. Thanx for the info :)

[@PPMOCRG]

You’re not kidding about the beginning drawing class! I took one in high school and that was the last art class that I ever took. I was more advanced but they made me start at the beginning. 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@ryanfuxa6738]

I too went to Academy of Art...for 3 years. After taking Analysis of Form twice, they immediately placed me in Perspective and wouldn't let me take any simpler classes until passing it. After 3 tries, I had to give up since it was taking up all my money. They taught me nothing and I've never heard of this tool until now. Thank you for uploading this video.

[@StefanBaumann]

Your so welcome

[@markbonham3477]

Very interesting and a I've been drawing for over 60 years and have never seen or heard about this tool. Thanks

[@bogus_not_me]

Amazing! After all these years (I'm 76) I find someone who teaches me something important in one brief video. Thank you for sharing.

[@kamaljeetchugh]

There are others too around your age. Cheers.

[@otter1944]

75 here and learning how to draw. I watched KZbin tutorials before putting pen to paper. This tool is one of the first tools I purchased but Starting today, I will use it. At my age, I will use all tools that are helpful to speed up my learning curve. I am using Audubon’s watercolor plates used in “Birds of America” book for reference of color and for one resource of accuracy for shape and proportion. Your lesson is probably the most important tools I shall have until my brain-to-hand skills are honed. I have collected many drawings of birds. Some do not seem to relate the photos in my collections at all. I believe I will be much happier with my results now. Thank you for gifting us.

[@maxis2k]

My goodness, I've spent months using a ruler and drawing boxes to try and get accurate proportions. And now I learn of a device that does it on the fly. I feel both stupid and ecstatic at the same time.

[@lauritadominick6163]

You can only go as far as you were taught... I think the teachers were stupid not you

[@singalong2758]

Me too, i am the kind of artist who wants accurate proportions that takes an effort but still find a way for easier techniques coz im lazy😂

[@SchoonerMistress]

So happy I found your video. Even more thrilled to realize, as sailors, I already own one. Cannot wait to pull it out of our overboard bag and have a go at it. Sailing ships and perspective can be so difficult. Especially for someone so new to drawing. Thank you.

[@isisveiled6420]

I made myself a couple of pd's, it's quite easy and very helpful. What is great is that you can use them to transfer angles too, you just align the one part of it to the center line and open the other to the angle you need to measure. Then you use the same of the bigger opening to transfer it to canvas.

[@miklosnemeth8566]

So, do use two PDs to measure the angle?

[@NathanielJamesProd]

Really great advice. I ended up getting a really nice metal proportional divider and I have to say, it has made quite a difference. I've been using it for a couple of months now and I can see myself already being able to do better without it. It does train your eye, and that's one of the top reasons I wanted to try it out! Thanks for the video!

[@juliagustin1966]

I've never seen this before--THANK YOU!

[@LePetitChatNoir79]

I ordered one of these after I saw this video and it has drastically helped my proportions. Thank you so much for this video.

[@jelketa]

This a great learning class, thank you Stefan for sharing.

[@StefanBaumann]

Your welcome

[@realartdrum]

I SOOOoooo Appreciate this Teacher and Artist! This info is very important!!!! Thank you sir!!!!!

[@ChiRhoStudio]

That's neat! I learned about the proportional divider when I was learning clay and pottery! We use those very, very often! Thank you for the video! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and your skills with us all who are not able to take your classes in person! God Bless!

[@StefanBaumann]

Thanks

[@olijordan1224]

Thank you so much for introducing this tool to the world and me. What an essential thing to have. Thank you again!!! Your art, videos, waistcoat and education is awesome! 👊

[@fatebyaccident]

This is a Godsend! Thank you so much for posting this.

[@salamsweiss9736]

You’re an awesome teacher! Your lectures are always to the point and informative. Love you

[@joyepittura]

It's great for landscape painting in plein air for structures....to get the correct proportions to fit the size of canvas....Urban scapes...or if using a photo of say a barn...and you want to get the correct proportions again ...of that barn in the photo to fit the size canvas...and of course achieving the correct measurements to render the structure. I've seen many painting where artists just free hand the structure and they are not straight...thus when the viewer looks at it....it bothers the eye...thanks for This demo....there is another porpotional round device where you point to the measurement sizes and it gives you the correct size of canvas and dimensional aspects of the subject .. ...thanks Stefan...you always share topics of great importance... Those ladies are lucky to be in your class....still haven't found you in China town or on the streets of SF...one day I hope to...

[@MrSketch0328]

Boom! Mind blown...thank you brother for sharing.

[@StefanBaumann]

your welcome

[@marionwood3986]

If only I had seen this years ago would have saved me so much trouble. Thank you for sharing this, I bought one immediately, can't wait for it to arrive.

[@gary7466]

I got one of those proportional dividers and had a go with it. You demonstration helps to clear up a few things, and I feel you did a great job explaining howto use this simple valuable took. Thanks do much, Stephan!

[@donnasmith4879]

I bought one of these yearssss ago and never knew how to use it!!! Oh Stefan I love u so much!!! Muahhhhh (big ol kiss on your cheek)

[@StefanBaumann]

xoxoxox

[@trotterhorsewatsonjr.6668]

Where have U been all my life. Wish U were around when i was young. I thought the same thing about my art teachers, which made me give up art! Thank you!

[@NightOwl11]

I LOVE my pd! 💕 I've always been good at drawing but this saves time and frustration.

[@selinamularz9194]

I can't believe I'm just now learning about this after 30 years drawing. Thanks!

[@ronschlorff7089]

When I did a lot of wildlife paintings about 30 years ago I used a straight architects divider a lot, to work out proportions of this to that and all that, but not a proportional divider for the drawing. I mostly used the grid method from my photos at wild animal parks and zoos, and some of my field drawings if they were good enough. Got that from books. I do plein air landscapes, here in AZ now, but I can see their uses there too after seeing this video!!

[@ketoking9435]

I watched this after buying dividers as used them close to 40 years ago at school for technical drawing,,I'm looking to make scale car models working from 1/76 scale to about 3 times larger close to 1/24 scale,,,these tools are great,,,, Big Thanx to Stephan for a great tutorial,,

[@andresaroba1967]

Thanks for sharing all this, Stefan! good to find you!

[@StefanBaumann]

Your Welcome

[@ccc-yp8ot]

Your tips in this and your other videos have been so inspirational and valuable. Thank you so very much for sharing. Sending Blessing and positivity your way..

[@influentialolive]

Thank you! I took "high school art", it ALMOST DESTROYED my Art. Today. I art everywhere- except life forms... But, I'm actually looking into figure drawings.. lol

[@teentb2075]

Thank you Stefan, a proportional divider is going into my painting toolbox.! 🎨🖌

[@Via_Von]

I really enjoyed this and hauled out my AccuSee that had been collecting dust because of my lack of knowledge. Thank you for the info and fun even years after the fact. 👏🏻❣️

[@shirleyandrews1152]

Great info.! Thank you. Have enjoyed your programs on PBS

[@fatemehaghaei1954]

Thank you sooo much for this teaching !! I had big problems with prospective on painting and now I found a solution for this thanks to you 🌱❤

[@rmbrazz]

Wow, I never learned this in art class! Thank you!

[@igorm9851]

OH this changes everything ! I am throwing out the art school technique i learned for proportions and using what you suggested. Thank you so much!

[@automatan]

I wish I would have had him as a teacher back in the 70s but, he was a student as I was. I did not follow thru with my dream. He did and that's why he's so enthusiastic and I'm...not so much. Great video; I'll keep coming back now that I've discovered the teacher I should have had.

[@lauritadominick6163]

Thank you... that was the simplest... most comprehensive explanation I have heard so far... and I didn’t fall asleep

[@BAwesomeDesign]

I find that by moving my arm and shoulder faster that my eye moves faster too, but also it becomes more accurate. Blocking in the proportions goes pretty fast when doing life drawing, but not establishing any line (darkening any line) before all the big shapes are in is key. If I try to slow down and concentrate, my field of vision tends to narrow. These dividers might be something to look into; but I find that simply by moving faster my brain works faster and I see a lot more information.... and the proportions tend to be placed down fairly accurately. I end up seeing the whole (gestalt) over the details... and it stands to reason. If the eye moves faster, detail is subsumed automatically.

[@melvan3456]

Very glad to hear this man practical ideas to sell art.

[@738polarbear]

I never knew how to use them . very interesting to get the correct relative perspective .

[@williansouza6281]

I can see this helping a lot on free drawings too. Easy to measure heads, and stuff like that. Gona get one

[@deidra7612]

Thank you very much for this explanation and video! I have wondered for years what that tool was for!! 💝💝💝xxx

[@roninoneil546]

Wow this guy is a fantastic teacher thank you.

[@koteto999]

So awesome! Thank you so much for the valuable information! I am just trying to learn how to draw portraits from life and was especially looking for how to take proper measurements and now I'm super excited and happy to try this tool!!! Again a BIG THANK YOU!!

[@dmoher8566]

Wooooooow!!! Thanks. I knew about the proportional divider but I didn't know what it was called. I've used a ruler, my mail envelop, folded paper etc now this. Heeeeeere I come Ebay. Can't wait to use it.

[@manuelgutierrez8997]

Thanks Stefan I do have a proportional divider at home and did not what it was for.

[@julieharris47]

I have had one of these in a drawer for years and didn’t know how to use it, so thank you for your video

[@seahorse5689]

Absolutely awesome class! Thank you!

[@andrewmoon1898]

Never heard of this, will get one now though. Thank you.

[@hannahgarner1448]

Mind blown and i spent 1 hour at Michael's searching for this tool, i cant wait to order💚💚💚💶💷💴☕☕☕😱 thank you!

[@otter1944]

Hannah Garner: Hobby Lobby in Kansas City has these.

[@LynnePriceStudio]

What a great video. Thanks, Stefan. I just received a golden ratio divider in the mail today. Just ordered the type you showed in the video.

[@TartantazCreates]

Thank you, I have just purchased a proportional divider. I have always just used my pencil and thumb but this will help me be more accurate :)

[@StefanBaumann]

your welcome

[@evelynweissman6996]

T

[@evelynweissman6996]

Tai chi 24 from the back

[@ronschlorff7089]

@@alegriart In figure drawing classes I had a nice bamboo chop stick, which I had marked randomly with a sharpie, but this would be nicer; and not make me hungry!!! :D

[@patriciarobledo3954]

Thank you so much, this is going to improve my artwork so much! I have vision loss, so I have trouble with proportions. Bless you!!!!!

[@gingerbuchanan2795]

Where's my crayon? ...that was funny! Thank you Stefan, for all you share. I've learned so much. I'm binge watching your videos daily. Reading your free ebook and am truly enjoying it. I've cried twice already and I'm not a crybaby at all.

[@amexjam55]

Okay, I'm sold. I need to get me a one those dividers. Thank you, sir.

[@h0ckeyd]

Hehehe...Thanks for confirming something for me. I've just ordered one on ebay and I mentioned buying one (without a description of what it is or does) to my brother (who's an architect) and strait away he said "yep, that'll come in very useful"...now I know how he knew. Thanks.

[@SDW90808]

Love your comments re: abstract art. I'm recently retired and a noob artist enjoying the journey. Thank you for sharing. PS: I just ordered a Derwent Proportional Divider after watching your vid.

[@walterlichtenberg5180]

Thank you Stefan, Just started using one and wouldn't want to do without it!!

[@sholley7]

Oh Thanks. Self taught and 30 years in.........had no idea.......simple and effective. Best wishes to you!

[@rbknuckles]

Thank you for these instructions! I am just starting to use this tool. Very very helpful!!

[@daveelson213]

id normally skip these types of vids..but I enjoying this...very informative

[@carolstruble7838]

Just discovered this amazing tool!!! Thank you so,so much

[@StefanBaumann]

Your welcome

[@cridbaby]

Thank you for this video. I finally learned how to use it correctly and it will help me a lot to get references on the canvas with the correct proportions. 👍🏾

[@tbm7187]

Heck yes! This is perhaps my biggest weakness in my drawing is to increase portions. This was SO incredibly helpful! Thank You!

[@carlpen850]

I bought one of these back in the late 1990's for working out of doors... Got it from Jerry's Art-O-Rama wholesale art supplier back when they still had art catalogs... for under $6... of course that's a few years ago. I think you still might find this tool at Art Supply Warehouse on line... but you know an old fashioned compass works just as well plus you already have a lead point in it to mark your points of reference. You can also do a few extra things with a compass that you can't do with a prospect and I'm sure you can get one for a lot less money. Just so you know... this is a handy tool... just a little pricey.

[@Dobroman07]

Yep...I just paid 21 bucks for one on line.

[@artlessons6772]

I have had one of these for years and no one explained how to use it. THANK YOU!

[@painting55]

Thank you, Stefan. I knew about the PD but did not really know how to use it. I love it for portrait drawing.

[@corvuscorone7735]

Exceptionally helpful, thank you very much for that!

[@bluegreensubmarine]

Thanks for the new skill!

[@Gnaboaix]

Why you only have 57K subs, you should have 200K at least!! Thank you for sharing! I've watched so many of your videos without skipping, and I'm continue watching more.

[@JohnBBadd]

Those high dollar ones are important for drafting, where a thousandths of an inch could change a buildings size if you are changing the scale between drawings. Of course these days most of that is CAD so I'm not sure if they are needed there.

[@aliciamolloy5948]

Thank you so much for this lesson.