Grid Project

For this project we will learn to enlarge/scale photos to larger sizes. 

This will teach you to trick your brain into seeing what is really there instead of just guessing. You will:

Hole punched

typewriter

etch-a-sketch

smarties

legos

discarded film

cassette tape

coffee

The Grid Methodology

There is a simple technique used by great artists everyday to create sensational works of art. The best part of it is, you don’t have to be skilled in drawing to achieve extraordinary results. The grid enlargement technique can help the artist transfer a smaller size image onto a larger canvas with exact detail or as much detail as the artist desires.

What exactly is grid enlarging?

Grid enlarging is the process of using a grid to precisely copy and enlarge a smaller image and transfer it onto a larger canvas. 

Just about everyone knows what a grid is, however just in case you don’t, a grid is a series of equally spaced horizontal and vertical lines that intersect to form a boxed pattern. What it basically accomplishes is to divide the original image into smaller blocks so that you can more easily see what goes where. Grid enlarging is a useful exercise in helping to improve your drawing and observational skills.


5 Easy Steps to Grid Enlarging

Step 1 — Select your reference photograph and use a viewfinder to isolate the section you want to draw. If it is a rectangle or square shape please choose your larger medium to match (only bigger).

Step 2 —  Make a 1in. Grid on the smaller piece (as you get more experienced you can use other measurements)

Step 3 — On the bigger piece measure a 2in grid. 

Step 4 — A good way to keep your blocks straight is by marking them numerically and alphabetically along the edges of the photo and canvas. In other words, the first block on your canvas that is located in the top left corner would be block A1, the next one to the right on the same row would be A2 and so forth.

Step 5 — Begin your transfer by drawing everything you see in one block of the reference photograph into the corresponding block on your large piece. If you will be using other material, don't bother shading. Just map out the shapes.


*TIP: Focus only on one square at a time and ignore all the others until the one is completed and it is time to copy the next block to canvas. 

Follow-Up Questions for Students