If the drawing has the same ratio, you will get the same number if you divide the width by the length. For example, say you want to make a drawing that’s twice as large. You would want the drawing to be of the dimensions 10" by 14. " Five divided by seven is roughly . 714. Ten divided by fourteen is also roughly . 714. If you want to make the drawing bigger, make sure you multiply the length and the width by the same number to assure you have the same ratio. For example, say you want the drawing to be 3 times as large. Five times three is fifteen. Seven times three is 21. You would need to copy the image onto a canvas that was 15" by 21. "
Place a ruler on the top of the drawing or picture. Make a small mark at every inch. Then, do the same thing at the bottom of the paper. Use the ruler to draw a series of straight lines connecting the top and bottom marks. Set the ruler on the left side of the paper and make a mark every inch. Do the same on the right side of the paper. Then, use the ruler to draw straight lines between the left and right marks. When you’re finished, a grid comprised of one-by-one inch squares should be drawn over the image you’re copying.
If you’re using 2 inch squares, mark the top, bottom, left, and right sides in two inch increments instead of one inch increments and then connect. If you’re using 3 inch squares, mark the top, bottom, left, and right sides in three inch increments and connect. Your grid surface should more or less match your reference photo.
Write numbers along the top and bottom of the grid. Write letters along the left and right side. You can mentally think of the sections in terms of how the columns and rows connect. For example, say you’re drawing in a box that falls in a column labeled 3. The row corresponding to this column is labeled B. You can think of this box as B3 or 3B.
An image will probably be broken down into basic shapes when it is splayed out on a grid. This can make it less overwhelming to copy. For example, the corner of a cartoon character’s ear in one box may look like two semi-circles. Focus only on drawing the semi-circles without thinking about other areas of the grid. Copy exactly what you see in the square. One benefit of drawing by grid is that you’re copying what you see rather than what you think you see.
You may want to outline your drawing in pen before erasing any of the grid. This can make sure your drawing stays in tact.
However, if you’re going for lighter strokes, you may want to move your hand further up the pencil. The closer you place your hand to the tip of the pencil, the darker the marks will be.
Try to use thinner and thicker lines when appropriate. In some portions of your drawing, for example, you may notice lines are thicker. There may also be shadowy portions of the drawing where it would be appropriate to draw thicker lines. Make sure to pay attention to line quality as you copy your drawing. Keep your lines of an appropriate thickness or thinness for the image.
