{"id":27133,"date":"2018-04-21T12:30:09","date_gmt":"2018-04-21T12:30:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/?page_id=27133"},"modified":"2026-04-02T21:23:04","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T21:23:04","slug":"25-days-to-better-drawings-day-twenty-one-the-grid-technique","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-twenty-one-the-grid-technique","title":{"rendered":"25 Days to Better Drawings &#8211; Day Twenty-One &#8211; The Grid Technique"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"coursetitlecontainer\">\n<div class=\"coursetitle\">\n<h1><span>25 Days to Better Drawings:<\/span> The Grid Technique<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"insertbackground\">\n<div class=\"removep\">\n<div class=\"videoflexwrapper\">\n<div class=\"videotop\">\n  <iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/268505599\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebartop\">\n<div class=\"vertalign\">\n<div class=\"logoimage\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/logosmall75.png\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebarcarddescriptiondark\"><span>JOIN THE VIRTUAL INSTRUCTOR<\/span><br \/>\n    Get ALL of our courses, ebooks, live lessons, critiques, lesson plans and more today.<\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebarbuttonholder\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sidebuttonsmem\">START FREE TRIAL<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<hr style=\"background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:1.5em;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/register-25-days-to-better-drawings\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sidebuttons\">BUY SINGLE COURSE $97<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperkscontainer\">\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><span>This course features:<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"far fa-clock\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>10 Hours of Instruction<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"fas fa-film\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/i>25 Videos<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"fas fa-book\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/i>24 eBooks<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"fas fa-shield-alt\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/i>30 Day Money Back Guarantee<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p>\n\n<div class=\"contentfix\">\n<div class=\"favorites\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tabs\">\n  <input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-1\" checked=\"checked\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-1\" class=\"label\">Description<\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Lesson Description<\/h2>\n<p>\nLesson 21 of the <em>25 Days to Better Drawings<\/em> course introduces students to the grid technique, a powerful tool for achieving precision and proportion in drawing. Accuracy is a cornerstone of realistic art, and the grid technique helps artists maintain correct placement of features, shapes, and angles when drawing complex subjects, especially portraits. In this lesson, Matt explains the fundamental principles of the grid method, demonstrates its practical application, and guides students through a step-by-step exercise: drawing the portrait of a young girl using graphite pencils on white drawing paper.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nThe grid technique is particularly useful for artists who want to ensure their drawings maintain proper proportion without relying solely on freehand estimation. By breaking down the subject into smaller, manageable sections, the grid provides a framework that allows for careful observation and consistent accuracy. Matt emphasizes that this technique is not a shortcut\u2014it is a disciplined approach that trains the eye and hand to work together with precision.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Understanding the Grid Technique<\/h2>\n<p>\nMatt begins the lesson by explaining the basics of the grid technique. The process involves overlaying a grid of evenly spaced squares over a reference image and creating a proportional grid on the drawing surface. Each square on the reference corresponds directly to a square on the paper, making it easier to translate shapes, angles, and details accurately. By focusing on one square at a time, artists can carefully map out the placement of facial features, edges, and other important elements without losing sight of the overall composition.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nHe emphasizes that the grid technique is not meant to stifle creativity. Instead, it functions as a guide that allows for a more confident and precise rendering of the subject. Students are encouraged to view the grid as a flexible framework: while it provides structure, the ultimate goal is to develop observational skills and a keen eye for proportion that will eventually allow freehand accuracy.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Setting Up the Grid<\/h2>\n<p>\nThe lesson continues with a detailed demonstration of setting up the grids. Matt shows how to measure the reference image and draw a proportional grid over it, noting the number of squares needed for the desired level of detail. Then, he demonstrates how to replicate that grid on white drawing paper, maintaining consistent square sizes so that each section of the drawing corresponds exactly to the reference image.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nCareful setup is essential, Matt explains, because even small inconsistencies in square size can lead to proportional errors in the finished drawing. He offers practical tips for keeping lines light and using a ruler to maintain straightness. By establishing this structure, students create a reliable roadmap for transferring the reference image accurately to the drawing surface.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Drawing the Portrait Using the Grid<\/h2>\n<p>\nOnce the grid is prepared, Matt demonstrates how to approach the portrait of a young girl systematically. He begins by observing the reference image one square at a time, noting the placement of key points such as the eyes, nose, mouth, and contour of the face. Using light graphite pencil lines, he sketches the features within each corresponding square on the drawing paper, ensuring that each part of the face aligns correctly with the reference.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nMatt emphasizes the importance of patience during this process. The goal is not to rush through the drawing but to carefully observe shapes, angles, and proportions in each square. By working methodically, students are able to accurately reproduce the subtle curves and relationships that define the portrait, creating a lifelike and cohesive image.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Refining the Drawing<\/h2>\n<p>\nAfter all the primary shapes and features are mapped using the grid, the lesson transitions to refinement. Matt demonstrates how to connect lines smoothly, adjust proportions slightly if needed, and erase the grid lines to reveal a clean, cohesive portrait. Students are encouraged to review their work carefully, comparing it to the reference image and making subtle adjustments to improve accuracy.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nAt this stage, shading can be added to bring depth and dimension to the portrait. Matt shows how to use soft, controlled graphite strokes to render the shadows and highlights on the girl\u2019s face, emphasizing the natural forms of the cheeks, eyes, and lips. The result is a precise, realistic drawing that demonstrates the effectiveness of the grid technique.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Building Confidence in Accurate Drawing<\/h2>\n<p>\nThe lesson concludes with Matt encouraging students to practice the grid technique with a variety of subjects. By consistently applying these observational methods, artists can develop confidence in their ability to maintain proportion and placement in all drawings, whether portraits, still life, or complex scenes. Lesson 21 provides a structured approach to accuracy, helping students strengthen both their technical skills and their observational eye, paving the way for more advanced drawing techniques in future lessons.\n<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>  <input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-2\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-2\" class=\"label\">Materials<\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Lesson Materials<\/h2>\n<p>H and 2B graphite pencils, ruler, kneaded eraser, and white drawing paper.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>  <input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-3\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-3\" class=\"label\">Resources<\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Lesson Resources<\/h2>\n<p><i class=\"fas fa-exclamation-triangle\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>Distributing any content downloaded from this site is strictly prohibited and against the terms and conditions of use.<\/p>\n<p><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>Download eBook<\/p>\n<p><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>Reference Image<\/p>\n<p><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>Reference Image (with grid)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-4\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-4\" class=\"label\">Curriculum<\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Course Curriculum<\/h2>\n<div class=\"curriculumcontainer\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-one-mindset-and-materials\/\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 1: Materials and Mindset (10:07)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-two-drawing-with-lines\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 2: Drawing with Lines (25:29)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-three-drawing-ellipses\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 3: Drawing Ellipses (18:26)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-four-drawing-with-shapes\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 4: Drawing with Shapes (15:56)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-five-line-quality\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 5: Line Quality (13:10)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-six-cross-contour-lines\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 6: Cross Contour Lines (11:32)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-seven-shading-with-line\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 7: Shading with Line (38:49)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-eight-value\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 8: Value (10:52)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-nine-shadow-and-light\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 9: Light and Shadow (11:58)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-ten-drawing-basic-forms\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 10: Drawing Basic Forms (17:25)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-11-drawing-with-forms\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 11: Drawing with Forms (21:12)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-twelve-texture-study-1\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 12: Texture Study #1 (28:54)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-thirteen-texture-study-2\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 13: Texture Study #2 (49:20)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-fourteen-texture-study-3\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 14: Texture Study #3 (17:31)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-fifteen-the-illusion-of-space\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 15: The Illusion of Space (16:33)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-sixteen-one-point-perspective\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 16: One Point Perspective (46:39)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-seventeen-two-point-perspective\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 17: Two Point Perspective (48:35)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-eighteen-three-point-perspective\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 18: Three Point Perspective (54:30)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-nineteen-sighting-measuring-and-mapping\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 19: Sighting, Measuring, and Mapping (10:02)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-twenty-positive-and-negative-space\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 20: Positive and Negative Space (8:13)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-twenty-one-the-grid-technique\" class=\"curriculumselected\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 21: The Grid Technique (11:07)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-twenty-two-basic-facial-proportions\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 22: Basic Facial Proportions (41:52)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-twenty-three-figure-drawing\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 23: Figure Drawing (1:03:53)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-twenty-four-drawing-in-reverse\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 24: Drawing in Reverse (16:29)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/25-days-to-better-drawings-day-twenty-five-final-exercise\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 25: Conclusion \/ Final Exercise (3:56)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebarbottom\">\n<div class=\"relatedcourse\">Your Instructor<\/div>\n<div class=\"instructor\">\n<div class=\"instructorimage\">\n<div class=\"instructorpic\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/images\/mattauthor.jpg\" alt=\"Matt Fussell - Instructor\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"instructorname\">Matt Fussell<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"instructordes\">\n<p>Founder of The Virtual Instructor, artist and teacher. Matt makes learning art easy to understand and enjoyable.<\/p>\n<p><div style=\"padding-top:10px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/author\/admin\">Learn more about Matt<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relatedcoursescontainer\">\n<div class=\"relatedcourse\">Related Courses and Classes<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/realistic-pencil-drawing\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Realistic Pencil Drawing<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Realistic-Pencil-Drawing-Course.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/the-secrets-to-drawing\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>The Secrets to Drawing<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Secrets-to-Drawing-Course.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/subjects-with-pen-and-ink\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Subjects with Pen and Ink<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Subjects-with-Pen-and-Ink-Course.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>25 Days to Better Drawings: The Grid Technique Description Lesson Description Lesson 21 of the 25 Days to Better Drawings course introduces students to the grid technique, a powerful tool for achieving precision and proportion in drawing. Accuracy is a cornerstone of realistic art, and the grid technique helps artists maintain correct placement of features, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"paget-iframe.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27133","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27133","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27133"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27133\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":45915,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27133\/revisions\/45915"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27133"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27133"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}