Did you ever want to accurately draw a complicated subject but found it difficult? Try one of these drawing grids used by artists for centuries.

Ages 11 and up.

Left: Study for the Adoration of the Magi by Leonardo da Vinci.

The Square Grid:

Best for: complicated subjects such as portraits or busy city scenes. Great for transferring a mural design to a wall.

If drawing from a photo, draw equally spaced, perpendicular lines on both the photo and on your drawing paper. The two grids need not be the same size, just the same number of squares.

Then, just draw one box at a time. If one box has a lot of elements in it, (like facial features - see right) further divide the boxes with diagonal lines. This makes the positioning of these crucial lines more accurate.

To try this Michelangelo reproduction project, click HERE.

To try this portrait project, click HERE.

The Skewed Grid:

Best for: Drawing a flat design in perspective.

I was once given the task of designing a piece of flat scenery for a show that was to appear to be going back in space. Here were the steps I took:

1. I created the design for it as if I were looking right at the subject.

2. Then I drew a square grid (see above) on the drawing.

3. On another piece of paper, I drew the same grid, except that the lines got closer together both horizontally and vertically at one side.

4. Then I did my best to redraw each box in the skewed grid, resulting in the appearance of it going back in space.

The X Grid:

Best for: quick, simple designs like plants.

Simply draw an "X" on the photo and an "X" on your paper, going from corner to corner. (Make sure that your paper and your photo are equally proportioned.) Then draw each quadrant separately.

The Perspective Grid:

Best for: creating a street scene or composition of the inside of a building.

Leonardo da Vinci used this technique in his study for his famous painting, The Adoration of the Magi.

1. Before starting your drawing, draw a horizon line and vanishing point on your paper.

2. Draw lines radiating from the vanishing point to various points below the horizon line. Use a ruler!

3. Now add some above the horizon line, especially if your composition has tall buildings in it.

4. Start adding your vertical lines for buildings, walls, or other straight-lined structures.

5. Add the tops of these structures using the grid as your guide and continue your drawing. Use the grid for windows and doors also.

6. Don't erase these guidelines until all elements of your drawing are complete.