The Secret to Stunning Photorealistic Oil Painting

This is something I usually only share with my students, but as it's such a vital tool, I've decided to make it available for everyone here on YouTube.

When I talk to people interested in learning to paint, one very common line I hear is "I can't draw!" But here's my secret... Neither can I!

There is a really simple but incredibly vital skill you need to learn if you want to paint stunning photorealistic paintings. GRIDS!

In this video I'll share with you the easiest way to grid up a photo for any canvas size.

This is the same first lesson I teach all my students, as it gives you all the fundamental skills of painting with oils.

Do you use a grid for painting? Let us know in the comments if this was helpful, I always love to hear your feedback!

Chapters
00:00 - Intro
00:37 - Why Use Grids?
04:58 - Tutorial
09:48 - Extra Tips & Encouragement
11:36 - Ending

[DorryRice-ynez]

I’ve been searching and sometimes downloading grid apps that end up being useless. Thank you for the link to get a printable set of instructions. You are kind to share this and I so appreciate your generosity of spirit. I can draw freehand reasonably well, but it takes so much time making sure proportions are correct and a proportional divider can be confusing with differentiating marks on a canvas. I started pencil portraits 5 years ago at age 72, then acrylic painting and since 2022, oil has become my medium of choice. YouTube artist sharers like you have become my personal art educators and I am very grateful.

[albertoguillen]

Heather, Thank you so much for your EXCELLENT presentation. You are a sweetheart for sharing how to, with such a generous and lovely teaching style. Blessings.

[naturesgateway]

Your paintings are beautiful! And they do not look like a photocopy, but a creative version of the glorious moments in life! I will be following your advice.

[philipparker]

My summer job during high school was painting highway billboards... thirty foot long shoes, forty foot long automobiles, frosty bottles of soft drinks (with drops of condensation larger than your head) and lots of very large words Everything had to be enlarged from 10x20-inch drawings provided by the advertising company. Working so close to things that large was almost impossible to do without first drawing grids... and this was the 1960s pre-computer!!

[MrGreenmartin]

Oh thank you Heather.!!! Where have been all my life💝. This is game changing!! So kind of you to share this with us.

[lexiequinus]

Thank you so much, Heather, it's really great that you showed us how to do that. So simply, wonderful.

[elizabethmoorman]

So astonishing I have always wanted to know how to grid. Thanks, love it a little worried about process, just bought a new printer. I do believe it will help with my art journal. 🎨 😊from Canada am so grateful for your insight!

[oeb]

I just started painting & I'm having a bit of a hard time, so I'm glad I found you. Blending colors together seems to be one of my biggest challenges.

[deborahharris]

I was taught grid in Art in High School, I always use it when I draw, helps to enlarge something as well. I did a Fashion Design course and in fashion sketching they use a grid to ttain and the body elongated. In art the head fits in 7.5 times from nemory in fashion the head 10 times. We told elingating shows the clothes off better, part of the reason they like models thin to look like a coathanger.

I have never seen such detailed eork as yours using a grid. I will definitely be looking at this Google draw and your website.
Thank you.

[sarahcarr]

thank you thank you thank you. I used to use grids years ago but switched to projecting. My new method may be alot faster but it does have some downsides that I never experienced with using grids. Your instructions will make life so much easier for focusing in on an area while painting... you never know, I may just go back to using grids again lol

[sandiego]

thank you what a wonderful video Can't wait to try. I have a portrait that I put away because I couldn't figure it out.. I will try this

[_surreal]

I just finished drawing a portrait I was struggling with yesterday, thanks to this.
I am so grateful! Thank you! 🙏

[MsPalemo]

Thank You so much for this, I am going to follow this teaching on my next painting, wonderful realistic paintings you have done

[gabriellebradley]

Bravo YouTube !
And thank you for sharing

[venetiancat]

SUPER helpful-my drawing ability is challenged by dysphraxia😒 (like dyslexia except from top to bottom) but like you, I'm GREAT at copying, so this is WONDERFUL. I also use a projector, but this can bring the painting to an even higher degree of accuracy! Thank you for such a clear tutorial and Much Love from New Mexico USA! ❤🧡💚

[VixSy]

Heather, thank you so much for your helpful and straightforward information, and your kindness in sharing. I draw and paint, but the whole computer thing is not my strong point… but I believe you’ve been so clear and generous, not to mention encouraging, that I believe I can do this!!! I know it will elevate my experience ; thank you so much…

[cjax]

Ohhh great - Thanks Heather. I’ve saved this one .

[jamminwolfie]

Awesome video! I saw another artist that I follow a lot on YouTube (you probably know who, Michael James Smith), and he once taught about the grid method, but not in depth like you did. As a beginner (almost amateur actually), I do the "eyeball" method, which I've done in recent art like drawing as a kid. But these grids, they will help so much. I'm glad I have Paint Shop Pro and a huge monitor, and I plan on getting a tablet. One of my goals is to paint murals (I have people already wanting me to do it, but I need more experience first), so a tablet on the go is the way to do it. Thanks so much for sharing your secret! And your art ROCKS!!

[jlm]

Thank you so much for sharing this! I can’t wait to try it. I hope you get a million followers! I will definitely check out your course.

[pippyroe]

Heather, I really appreciate the back history the grid method. I've used it a few times but with the website recommended I'm going to give it a go on a project that may be outta reach. I'm very new to your channel but will be a follower from now on due to your kindness and straightforward explanation of things.