Accuracy and proportion
Visual measuring
Artists often use visual measuring techniques to make sure the subjects they are drawing are the correct size and shape. Visual measuring can be done with different tools and there are a range of techniques to try, such as sighting or the grid method.
Sighting is done by holding up a pencil, pen or ruler at arm's length to the object being drawn. Measure the height of the subject along the pencil and still at armâs length compare it to the size of the other objects being drawn. Use the pencil, pen or ruler and line it up with the edges of the objects to see the angle of the line.
The grid method takes some time to set up correctly but can make the work more accurate. Use a gridded A small rectangular window that can be held up in front of a view to try and capture a composition. The window could be clear, or it could have a square grid drawn over it to find your composition, then draw a blank grid that is the same A ratio is a way to compare amounts of something. It is usually written in the form a:b. onto the paper or background.