CopyIt - The Grid Drawing Method Tutorial for New Artists

What CopyIt is and why the grid method works

CopyIt - The Grid Drawing Method is an iOS app that overlays customisable grids on your reference image, helping you copy, enlarge, or reduce a picture square by square. You draw an identical grid on your paper or canvas, then transfer the contents of each square at the same scale. The method has been used for centuries by artists and is particularly helpful for accurate proportions and detail without needing to print and mark up your photo.

CopyIt adds digital advantages such as zooming into fine details, adjustable grid colors and thickness, letters and numbers labeling, guidelines in each square, and value or color tools like TubeMatch, Mosaic, and a Tonal Strip—useful for both drawing and painting workflows. It also includes many other features not listed here - please view the CopyIt Help Guide later for more information.

Workspace setup and preparation

Preparing your reference image

• Choose clarity: Select a reference with clear edges, distinct value transitions, and sufficient resolution for zooming.
• Plan scale: Decide whether your final piece will be larger, smaller, or the same size as the reference. You will match the number of grid squares while changing physical square size to scale up or down.
• Define the crop: Decide on composition before gridding. Committing to your boundaries makes grid alignment cleaner.

Step-by-step guide for using CopyIt effectively

Load your image and orient your device

1. Open CopyIt: Import your reference photo and match portrait or landscape orientation to your subject.
2. Fullscreen mode: Toggle toolbars off for a clean reference, then back on when you need to adjust settings.

Choose your desired Media Size

1. Open the Media Sizes Menu: Tap the Media Sizes button in the bottom toolbar. You’ll see a list of common formats (A4, A3, Letter, Canvas sizes, etc.).
2. Choose Your Paper or Canvas Size Select the size that matches your actual drawing surface. If your surface isn’t listed, use the Custom Size option to enter width and height. Once selected, the app resizes the grid overlay to match your chosen media.

Configure the grid for visibility and accuracy

1. Choose grid type: Start with a standard square grid; add center points or extra guides as you advance.
2. Set rows and columns: Decide how many squares you’ll work through. More squares improve accuracy; fewer squares speed the process.
3. Grid color and opacity: Pick a contrasting grid color and adjust transparency so lines are visible but not overpowering.
4. Line thickness: Select a thickness that balances clarity and subtlety.
5. Labels: Enable grid letters and numbers for quick indexing between your device and physical surface.
6. Guidelines: Turn on quarter or sixteenth guidelines, and use center points to place features precisely.

Match the physical grid to your CopyIt grid

1. Measure square size: Choose physical square dimensions that suit your scale. Keep the same number of squares as in CopyIt.
2. Draw the grid: Lightly mark rows and columns with a ruler. Label edges to match CopyIt’s letters and numbers.
3. Confirm alignment: Ensure your crop and boundaries match the app so each square transfers accurately.

Block-in by square

1. Start simple: Begin with the square containing a strong anchor point such as a corner of an eye or a high-contrast edge.
2. Use guidelines: Place key intersections along the internal guides to lock proportions quickly.
3. Contour mapping: Draw essential lines and shapes only. Follow angles and lengths within each square rather than naming objects.
4. Check proportion: Move between neighboring squares to maintain continuity and correct lightly as you go.

Refine values and details with CopyIt tools

1. Zoom: Inspect fine details comfortably; avoid overcommitting before you verify edges and transitions.
2. Tonal Strip: Compare local lights and darks to guide graphite values or underpainting tones.
3. Mosaic: Simplify complex areas into averaged color blocks to see the big color first.
4. TubeMatch: Approximate paints or pencil colors to build a practical starting palette.

Painting workflow from drawing to color

1. Underpainting or value map: Seal your drawing or create a monochrome value layer to stabilize proportion.
2. Palette setup with TubeMatch: Pull key hues for skin, sky, foliage, or fabric and premix base notes and value steps.
3. Color blocking: Lay in large shapes by square, matching edges to grid lines and working from mid-tones outward.
4. Edge control: Use zoom to match soft and hard edges, blending or sharpening as observed.
5. Glazing and accents: Build contrast near the end; refine highlights and deepest accents after mid-range values are set.

Clean up and remove the physical grid

1. Erase gently: Lift grid lines with a kneaded eraser after your drawing is locked. If painting, paint over lines or use thin isolation coats to prevent graphite lift.
2. Final pass: Recheck proportions and add final corrections once the grid is gone.

Tips and troubleshooting

• Visibility issues: If the grid disappears against your image, switch to a contrasting color and adjust opacity; increase line thickness if needed.
• Too many lines: If you feel overwhelmed, reduce guidelines or opacity, or use fullscreen mode to focus.
• Square confusion: Turn on grid labels and center points for faster anchoring and fewer mistakes.
• Fatigue and accuracy: Work in short, focused intervals per square. Light lines make corrections painless.
• Device standby: Keep your screen awake so your reference stays visible while you draw.

Quick checklist for a smooth session