A great tool for figuring out proportions is a grid. A grid will help you find the center of a composition and subdivide it into quadrants or even smaller sections. Such subdivisions establish points to help you correctly locate elements of your subject within the composition. Many painters use a literal grid before painting over it. For a drawing, however, a virtual grid may be indicated with light marks on the sides, top and bottom of your page.
Many artists may do small “thumbnail” sketches for design, composition or content. Once the sketch is completed, it must be scaled up to keep its proportional integrity. Using a grid is the most accurate way to accomplish this.
On a piece of acetate, draw a grid with the same exterior dimensions as your thumbnail sketch, then divide it into quarters, eighths or even smaller units. Now indicate similar subdivisions on your drawing surface. Transfer the sketch to the larger surface square by square, matching key reference points of the subject to corresponding points on the grid.
Use a Grid to Determine Proportions
The exterior grid marks divide the picture plane into quarters. The interior cross hairs give key points to help determine proportional relationships. Note the implied center; it falls on the belt line, just to the right of the hanging sash. You may want to divide your composition into eighths, or just approximate eighths as you measure and draw.
Fashion-able
Charcoal on bond paper
18" × 24" (46cm × 61cm)
Compositional Sketch With Grid
This sketch of workers focuses on the placement of the figures and how they relate to the vineyard. With the grid on top, you can see how the relate to the cross points, horizontals and verticals.
Workers
Fine-point pen and charcoal on vellum
5½" × 7½" (14cm × 19cm)