Drawing with a grid: drawing a portrait or animal step by step

Drawing with a grid: my tip for a realistic portrait or painting

As an artist, it's important to have a good composition, especially if you want to create realistic portraits or figurative artwork. Of course, you can sketch freehand, but for a complex image or if you want to maintain precise proportions, drawing step by step with a grid is an ideal technique. I use the Grid# app for this. In this blog post, I'll show you how to set up a painting using this grid technique and offer tips for a clean start.

Why work with a grid?

The grid technique (also called the grid method) is centuries old and was used by artists like Leonardo da Vinci. By dividing an image into equal sections and transferring this grid to your canvas, you can accurately transfer shapes. This makes creating a painting much easier and more precise.

I often use this method for portraits, cityscapes, or figures, but it's also useful for beginners in step-by-step drawing. This allows you to focus on details without losing the overall picture.

Step-by-step: drawing with grid via Grid#

1. Choose or create your reference image

A painting usually begins with an image that resonates with you. Sometimes I find it on Pinterest, other times I take my own photos. Think of a powerful portrait, captivating lighting, or an interesting pose. A clear image and sufficient contrast help with your pencil or charcoal sketch.

2. Process the image in Canva (optional, but helpful)

In Canva, I create a new design with the same dimensions as my canvas (for example, 60x80 cm). This way, I ensure the image's proportions match the canvas. Sometimes I need to fill in some space around the edges. In that case:

• Do I add a color area, or
• I use Canva's AI tool (only available in the Pro version) to intelligently fill in the background.

3. Add a grid in Grid# app

Open your image in Grid# and determine the number of grid boxes. A larger number of boxes helps you work more precisely and capture details more accurately. This method is ideal, for example, for drawing a realistic portrait or sketching animals step by step.

4. Transfer the grid to the canvas

Make sure your canvas is prepared with an even base. Then, trace the grid with pencil, charcoal, or chalk. I often use charcoal myself: it's easy to apply, adjust, and remove. Use a ruler to straighten the lines and measure the squares precisely. This will lay a solid foundation for step-by-step drawing, whether you're drawing a realistic portrait or an animal step-by-step.

5. Start sketching

Work square by square, focusing first on the contours and large shapes. Then you can add details and shadows. The grid helps you maintain correct proportions, which is especially helpful when drawing realistic portraits or creating drawing lessons for beginners. If you're sketching with charcoal or chalk, a fixative spray can help preserve the lines. This is usually not necessary with pencil.

6. Time to paint

Now begins the most enjoyable part of the process: painting. You've established a solid foundation with the grid and sketch, ensuring the proportions are correct. This allows you to fully focus on color, atmosphere, contrast, and expression. This method allows you to draw a realistic portrait, for example, or to draw an animal step by step with greater confidence and clarity.

Curious how I go from sketch to finished product? Check out my Instagram and TikTok for the inspiration and process behind my paintings.

Additional painting tips

• Use a kneaded eraser to make corrections without damaging the canvas.

• Work from large to small: global shapes first, details later.

• Charcoal is ideal for indicating shadow areas.

• Take photos of your process; perfect for social media or an online drawing lesson.

View my work or try it yourself

I use this grid technique in many of my works, including portraits, abstract cityscapes, and figures. Curious to see what it looks like? View my work in the KOJO Art online gallery .

Want to get started drawing or painting with a grid? Try my step-by-step plan and see what it does for your work. Or use Grid# to start an initial experiment—who knows where it might lead.

Questions or curious to know more?

Do you have any questions about using Grid#, setting up a painting, or want to know how I work with color? Let me know via the contact form on the website, or send me a message on Instagram (@kojo_ art_ official) .

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