A Different Technique for Drawing Proportions Better!

Sick of drawings where the proportions are not quite right? Where the detail couldn't fit into the space it was meant to go, and the rectangles ended up squares? A common approach to freehand drawing may actually be the source of the problem, rather than part of the solution. The approach to drawing in this video, and its focus on keeping proportions accurate, may be just the change needed to open up a new world where architecture is not distorted, and all the detail fits into place. The reference photo can be found on the channel Community Page (as always), so after watching the video, why not give it a go yourself.

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[marywebb]

The first picture is what I do. Thank you for this. Now it's much easier to see my mistakes 😊

[stefanb]

My 2 cents of experience agree with what you are demonstrating: In a lot of theory we get taught to draw as much as possible from big shapes first, and fit in details more or less in declining size, and indeed it makes sense to overcome the typical beginner mistake to just cue detail to detail, until minor inconsistencies in proportions add up to massive inconsistencies in scale, and the overall result ends up massively distorted
The problem is, that ignoring the details doesn't work either, as they provide necessary intermediate landmarks for correctly meassuring the big proportions and relationships.

I think the solution is a strange balance and a mindset shift. The design of the drawing, the idea, still has to start with the big shapes. Some details have to be there, but they have to be subordinated to being a measuring tool for the big shapes. So the proportion of every detail can't be thought about in relationship with the next adjacent detail, but has to be thought about in relation to the big shape, until the big shapes are established.

We can't revert back to the beginner mistake to try to fit as many beautiful details as possible on the page and hope, that the overall proportions somehow magical work out, but ideally we have to try to find the minimum amount of details to establish the big proportions, then draw the big shapes, then fill in remaining details to prettify the design.

[OgamiItto]

It used to be a meme or a trope: almost every time an artist was depicted in a cartoon, they were holding up a pencil, pen, brush or their thumb while looking at whatever they were about to commit to paper or canvas, as if they were _aiming_ at it and the pencil, pen, brush or their thumb was their gunsight. This is why. It's a way to relatively accurately judge proportion. While looking at your subject, hold your pen (or pencil, brush or your thumb) out at arm''s length horizontally or vertically, depending on whether you're estimating width or height, line up the tip with one side or the top of the subject and "mark" the other side or the bottom of the subject with your thumb and then transfer that distance onto the paper (or board or canvas) in the same orientation. Then sketch in the line.

[diandradeeke]

most people tell you, its easier to find the basic shapes and than go into the details. You try a different approach in this video but the result is still amazing.

[jerryye]

this actually makes a lot of sense because we are much better at comparing the relative sizes of shapes rather than gauging the size directly. You see this applied a lot in figure drawing where many people draw the head first, and then figure out the size of the torso, then legs by using size comparison. I always find that starting with an overall encompassing shape makes it hard to keep proportions and this video shows that I'm not the only one 😅 thanks for the tip!

[triggerfish]

Although…to get the position of (say) your building exactly where you want it on the paper, and at the relevant scale (key word there) requires that you do have a handle on the overall proportions from the outset. So..in figure drawing, where legs are often longer than you think, I draw a head and torso in correct proportion..adjusting as you are with the door and then pillars, relative to each other, but then run out of paper for the feet. A long time ago I was trained as a draughtsman (with pen and ink) and getting the overall scale (so it fits on the paper) is the first problem to solve. Drawing 'actual size' in the field can help, where the image matches the sight size. But scaling something is a much harder thing to get right.

[Bruja]

Thank you for showing us how to break this all down into a less intimidating process.

[swiirlee]

This made me realize i get lazy in checking my proportions against each other, and i tend to move "baselines" arbitrarily, making the overall result chaotic to look at AND to draw! Thank you so much for your advice and demonstration ❤

[bramhuysen]

Your videos have taught me a lot, techniques and tips I haven't found anywhere else. So, my drawings are now getting better, but there's still a long way to go before I become as good as you... if ever ! Many thanks for your tuition.

[EPeltzer]

At some point in this video you show some more complicated architectural sketches of yours in perspective that are lovely. I would love to see something like that produced with you explaining how you achieve the proportions.

[PatIreland-twlr]

This is sheer brilliance! Thank you!!

Proportion is probably the one element I’ve struggled with the most. So I really appreciate your sharing your skills. ❤

[iangallager]

WHile watching your video Stephen I said to myself ' Oh, he's slightly out of proportion'. Then I decided for thirty minutes I would have a go and guess what mine was even more out of proportion!! But I did learn something by this approach. Many thanks

[kathleengarness]

I remember watching a demo by US artist and teacher Richard Schmid. He painted the eye of the model on his canvas and then made all his other measurements from that one point. It was stunning and very accurate in the reveal. I loved this video of yours, so helpful!

[handymotte]

Hi Stephen, I` m happy with my result and the way how I sketched this building. I`m proud because I started by myself in the middle with the right proportions. The sketch isn`t so loose as yours, but I understand your tips.Thank you and have a nice week.

[RockRiderk]

I'm taught to draw in exactly the opposite way: from large shape to the details. It's amazing how it works for you and it looks ... awesome

[GimpelCodeShack]

This is perfect - I've been struggling with trying to outline the entire thing in advance and breaking it down like this was working better for me - and I thought maybe I was doing something wrong..
This clarifies my next steps for exercises and gets me past the current mental hump..

[handymotte]

Very good tips, thank you, for me it`s a good way to see the right proportions... and the dots are helpful.

[ywezdvv]

Great exercise! Very helpful for the beginner.

[hawaiidispenser]

This helped because I tend to make my drawings a bit too tall and slim, as compared to the reference. I have to observe better.

[discostu]

your videos are always so useful and inspiring!!