Thursday, February 3, 2011

Using the Grid



So now that you have given color cells a try the next step is to create a painting using the cell/grid method.  Kids are always amazed at the results they can achieve using the grid.  For this exercise we will be using a black and white photo.



Here is one I did today and if you look closely (click on photo to see larger) you can see my grid lines.











MATERIALS REQUIRED:

- watercolor paper
- watercolor, tempera, or acrylic paints
- pencil and ruler
- black and white photos (you can get old movie star photos here)



After printing off your photo measure a grid on to it.  For a regular page you want to measure a 1 inch grid.

You'll have a bit leftover so just trim off the extra.




Now transfer your grid to the paper you will be painting on.  At school we work larger but I can't fir a larger painting in my scanner so this particular piece is the same size.

As long as you have the same # of cells in your grid you will be fine.  So a picture marked off in a 1 inch grid can be transferred to a 2 inch grid, or a 3 or 4 as long as each cell is a square and you have the same # of cells.





Pencil in a sketch to help you paint and start painting square by square.....





Keep painting watching to duplicate the right values......Now it's been a long time since I have painted using a grid and honestly it was hard for me to focus square by square as I am so used to just painting what I want....a good way to deal with this is to turn the painting upside down so you can focus on each individual square and not the picture as a whole.





That's it.....next you can change the color scheme....still using a black and white but substituting different colors for the values.

Another interesting idea can be found here, students are given a few squares of both the photograph and blank paper(each have positions coded on the back) and are asked to duplicate what they have....the mystery portrait is then put together as a collaborative project....very cool!




We'll see you next time.

8 comments:

  1. Thank you for your ideas. You are always full of them.
    Hugs ♥

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  2. Cool Gail! A great idea for enlarging or reducing!

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  3. Its funny that you did this one right now b/c my Drawing I students in HS are working on a value study using close up of animal eyes with the grid system! I love it!!

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  4. I had completely forgotten about this technique. Thanks so much for the reminder. It's a great way for kids learning to draw to feel like they can!

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  5. http://www.meadcollege.qld.edu.auFebruary 15, 2011 at 12:11 PM

    Wonderful Ideas. Just great.

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  6. Can I just say that not only have you made the days more enjoyable for the kids in my class but you have added a whole new dimension to my own art experience. The kids regularly check your site to see if I am doing it correctly !! Le gach dea ghuí
    Terence in Ireland

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  7. Thanks everyone!
    Hey Terence I'm glad those kids are keeping you on your toes.
    Thanks so much for all the support.

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  8. If you are painting the same size, it is much easier to trace than to use grid transfer.

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