Proportion can be tricky when the artist is trying to look at an object and draw it smaller or larger than real life. Spatial awareness is something that is developed.
In the early stages of drawing, it is helpful to have a scale. For instance, use graph paper to draw the image. Then repeat the graph design on a larger piece of paper or canvas, making the squares larger in measurement. Try to duplicate the image from the smaller graph to the larger one, working left to right and square by square.
This is an excellent method for initial drawing before shading or painting. It is also a technique employed in related fields such as architecture, interior design, and drafting.
With younger children: Use a larger graph than the typical size of purchased graph paper. You may want to create the grill on a computer or draw it with boxes that are approximately 1” each. Re-create the drawing on a graph that has boxes of 2-3” each.
With the more mature artist: Transfer the first picture from the smaller graph to the larger one. Then create a smaller graph and try to re-create the picture even smaller than the one with which you began.
Art as a Thematic Cross-Curriculum Teaching Tool: Study graphing in math. Plot on number lines and in graphs. Look at a graphing calculator.
For Added Impact: Once you have re-drawn the picture to the larger scale, slip a piece of tracing paper over the image. Trace it to paper that has no lines, no graphs. Try different pencils to create the effects you learned in Lesson 2 for contour drawing.
Here is your first trial:
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