Difficulty proportions and knowing where to start on a drawing

[Brian.May]

I tend to use either a projector or more recently started to work with grids. I am more about final product these days than anything and the ability to reproduce quickly.
(last job as in industrial ceramics, production oriented!)

[Marilenn]

Hi Timdiesel! And everyone else!

I've been working with these tools from this website and they've been pretty great for working with proportions. One tool acts as a grid system so you can put a grid over your subject and start from there.

And I also like this other tool that you can use to keep the proportions going. Like it measures the actual and gives you the corresponding size to your drawing. It's kinda hard to explain the second tool so I've attached some photos.

I went to their website and even found they've got a free program for impressing a grid over an image. I've found it to be really useful! I've also attached a screen shot.

You can check out these tools at http://www.accurasee.com/

Hope this helps!

[Brian.May]

I've used this system before, It's actually in my studio as we speak!
My drawing skills aren't what they ought to be, I spend most of my time on 3D art so 2D suffers a bit but the grid system has worked out pretty well for me.

[LesM]

Hi Timdiesel

To develop your vision and perception I would avoid the grid method as it is very left-brain and doesn't help you overcome the issue of seeing accurately. It is just a mechanical copying method.
To start any drawing you need to know the limits of the part of the scene or subject and for this I recommend using a viewfinder to frame the scene; use a viewfinder with the same format as the desired drawing as this will also define the drawing limits.
If you start with the eyes of a portrait without first defining the limits of the subject on your paper how can you really know how big to draw them and where they should be in the format of the drawing?
Transferring the correct proportions from the subject to the drawing can also be done accurately using the 'basic unit' method. In this you select one measure in the subject and call it 'the basic unit' and then use this to measure everything else in terms of basic units i.e. one eye width may be the basic unit, the length of the nose may then be one and a half basic units (i.e. one and a half eye widths) long from top to tip. In this way you avoid using a ruler and measurements in inches or centimetres which again is very left-brain.
There is a great 'Scaling and Sighting' kit available here and a video to watch which should help you.