Page 85 - FASHION ILLUSTRATION BASIC TECHNIQUES

INTRODUCTION: THE GRID METHOD

A good way to start drawing is by sketching the main segment of the

body, the torso, which has two units, the chest and the hips.

Anatomically, these two units would be called the rib cage and the
pelvis. The connective middle of your gesture sketch of the torso

would be the centre front running from the shoulder line down to the

crotchline. This centre front mimics the line of the centre back, that is

the spine.

The grid method is an inexpensive, low-tech way to reproduce

and/or enlarge an image that you want to paint or draw. The grid

method can be a fairly time-intensive process, depending on how
large and detailed your painting will be. While the process is not as

quick as using a projector or transfer paper, it does have the added

benefit of helping to improve your drawing and observational skills.

In a nutshell, the grid method involves drawing a grid over your

reference photo and then drawing a grid of equal ratio on your work

surface (paper, canvas, wood panel, etc). Then you draw the image
on your canvas, focusing on one square at a time until the entire

image has been transferred. Once you're finished, you simply erase

or paint over the grid lines, and start working on your painting, which

will now be in perfect proportion.

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