From Behind the Camera - Drawing Transfer
When I use an opaque projector, I think I’m denying myself the opportunity to become more familiar with my subject. Additionally, manual transfer of an image adds that little bit of distortion that is part of the artist’s style.
If freehand drawing is not for you, there’s a way to transfer an image and keep the YOU in your painting, without the use of modern technology.
The drawing GRID works well for complex subjects. It’s a time tested method when working with two dimensional reference materials. The idea is to make the areas you want to draw small enough to be manageable. Divide your resource in half and half again, and do the same on your larger sheet (horizontally and vertically). Continue to make the areas smaller, on both sheets, until you feel you can manage the information in each box. The vertical and horizontal grid lines act as reference points.
Make sure both your reference and you larger sheet are the same proportion, otherwise their respective grid boxes will be different shapes (square/rectangle). Click here for a quick way to check proportions.
A view finder can help provide the same reference points when you are drawing from life. Basically, you look through a mini-frame to your subject. You can sub-divide the scene by stretching wires or threads across your viewfinder to make a grid pattern as you would with two dimensional reference material. Divide your paper accordingly and transfer your image.
There are many ways to make your drawings more accurate, but I will leave that for another day. In the mean time, David Kitler’s DVD, DRAW with CONFIDENCE: From Basic to Brilliant with David N. Kitler, is an excellent way to learn.
Cheers,
Lynn Powers