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Whether you are an adult or a child making their foray into the world of art, drawing classes can teach you a world of things – from mastering sketching to color balance and much more. However, one skill that many beginners find difficult to master is proportion.
The good news is that learning proportion can be easy with the simple yet powerful technique of “measuring with a pencil”.
At VR School of Art – the leading art school in Toronto, we teach our students this technique during the initial lessons to strengthen their drawing skills. In today’s blog, we will tell you everything you need to know about this technique.
In this technique, students are taught to use their pencils to gauge the proportions of various objects they plan to put on canvas. It involves holding a pencil at arm’s length so it can be used as a comparative tool to measure the sizes and distances of various objects.
Aligning a pencil with the visual in front of them can help students estimate proportions in a more accurate manner, resulting in the creation of more realistic artwork. Most drawing classes, including ours, teach this skill to both adult and young students.
To master this technique, you must follow these steps sequentially:
Instead of pouring your imagination right away, pause to observe the subject of your sketch. Compare its height, width, and angle to its surroundings with the help of a pencil to get a good estimate.
Once you get an idea of the proportions with your pencil, teachers of good Toronto art schools will encourage you to apply these dimensions to your sketch without worrying about making mistakes. The key is to practice first and perfect later.
As with any new skill, it can take a while to master the “measuring with a pencil” technique. However, regular practice can help you make more accurate estimates without needing multiple attempts.
Creating good art requires patience, and the “measuring with pencil” technique teaches budding artists the value of patience, perseverance, proportion, and observation.
Looking for a good art school for yourself or your kids? VR School of Art in Toronto, Ontario, offers drawing classes for both kids and adults where students learn to sketch with intention. Contact us to learn about available slots, class structure, and other details.
There is no single “best age” to learn proportion techniques taught in art classes. Budding artists of any age can learn anytime at VR School of Art.
Not at all. It is one of the most basic proportion techniques taught in most good art schools, like ours. It is a simple and engaging way for kids to build the confidence they need to sketch accurately.
No. All you need is a pencil to practice measuring sizes and comparing proportions of different subjects you intend to include in your artwork.