How To Copy a Drawing or Picture by Hand

One way to learn how to draw is to copy an image.You have the benefit of being able to focus on techniques, rather than coming up with something from your memory, and you have a reference point that you can set your work next to for comparison.Slowly you will begin to work towards more complex images.A grid structure can be made to superimpose over an image.One square inch of the painting or drawing can be copied using your grid.You will have an accurate replica of the image eventually.

Step 1: To copy a picture, select it.

To start, you need to select a picture.You might already have a picture in your head that you want to copy.It's a good idea to pick something simple if you're new to drawing.A picture without a lot of detail is better.As shapes may be more simplistic, the image of a child's cartoon might be easier to draw.

Step 2: Take the dimensions of the drawing or picture.

The dimensions of the original image are needed to create a grid.This is to make sure the image is large.Measure the length and width of the drawing or image with a ruler.Write the measurement down.Say your drawing is 5 by 7.

Step 3: Determine the size of the copy you're drawing.

Determine the size of your canvas.You won't have to do much extra work if you draw on a canvas that's 5 by 7.Make sure you choose sizes of the same ratio if you want a larger image.This will make sure the drawing gets copied correctly.You will get the same number if you divide the width by the length.Say you want to make a drawing twice as large.The drawing should be of the dimensions 10 by 14.Roughly, five divided by seven is.714.It's roughly.714 for ten divided by fourteen.If you want to make the drawing bigger, make sure you use the same number for the length and width.You want the drawing to be three times larger.Fifteen is five times three.There are seven times three.You would need to copy the image onto the canvas.

Step 4: A grid is drawn on a reference photo.

You need to draw a grid on the reference photo.You can use this to map out your drawing.If you don't want to draw directly on the picture or photo, you can use a copy machine.If you have a scanner, you can do this at home.The drawing or picture should have a ruler on top of it.A small mark should be made at every inch.At the bottom of the paper, do the same thing.The ruler can be used to draw a series of straight lines.Make a mark with the ruler on the left side of the paper.On the right side of the paper, do the same.The ruler should be used to draw straight lines between the left and right marks.A grid of one-by-one inch squares should be drawn over the image you're copying.

Step 5: Use the appropriate sized squares to create a grid of your own.

The same method is used to draw a grid over your own canvas.You should use squares of an appropriate size for your canvas.You will need two-by-two inch squares to make an image twice as large.If you want to make an image four times as large, you will need three-by-three inch squares and four- by-four inch square.If you're using 2 inch squares, mark the top, bottom, left, and right sides in two inch increments and connect.If you're using 3 inch squares, mark the top, bottom, left, and right sides and connect.The grid surface should match the reference photo.

Step 6: You can write numbers and letters in your squares.

It is possible to write numbers and letters in the columns and rows of your grid.You can use this to track what portion of the drawing you're copying.Write numbers and letters in a way that they can easily be erased later.The grid has numbers on the top and bottom.Along the left and right side, write letters.In terms of how the rows and columns connect, you can think of the sections.A column labeled 3 is where you're drawing in the box.There is a row labeled B.The box is called B3 or 3B.

Step 7: The image should be copied square-by- square.

The image should be moved from one square to the next.You'll find box A1 in the corner.You should only look at the shapes and images in that square.Slowly copy the shapes onto the square on the blank grid.When an image is played out on a grid, it will be broken down into basic shapes.This makes it easier to copy.The corner of a cartoon character's ear may look like two semi-circles.Don't think about other areas of the grid while drawing the semi-circles.You can copy what you see.One benefit of drawing by grid is that you can copy what you see.

Step 8: When you're done, gently erase the grid.

After you've filled in all the boxes, gently erase your grid and the corresponding numbers and letters.Pay attention to where you're taking a break.You don't want your drawing to be erased.Before you erase any of the grid, you may want to outline your drawing in pen.You can make sure your drawing stays in tact with this.

Step 9: Make sure you grip your pencil correctly.

It's important to grip your pencil correctly to make sure you copy accurately.Hold your pencil in a way that keeps you in control.The closer to the end of the pencil you place your hand, the more control you have over it.If you're going for lighter strokes, you may want to move your hand further up the pencil.The darker the marks, the closer you are to the tip of the pencil.

Step 10: There are basic shapes in the grid.

Every image has basic shapes.The majority of people feel more comfortable drawing basic shapes than drawing complex images.Look at the images in a different way to draw them better.The corner of the cartoon character's mouth is a triangle.Draw a triangle to help you focus.

Step 11: Paying attention to line quality is important.

Line quality is the thickness of a line.Keep line quality in mind when drawing.It's important to make sure the lines you draw are of the right quality.When appropriate, try to use thinner and thicker lines.You may notice lines are thicker in some parts of your drawing.It would make sense to draw thicker lines in the shadowy portions of the drawing.As you copy your drawing, make sure to pay attention to line quality.Keep your lines thin for the picture.