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 six built-in grid types, zooming into fine details, adjustable grid colours and thickness, grid numbers, guidelines and cross guides, and workflow tools such as Smart Move, Target Mode, Crop, Image Aspect, Mosaic, Tonal Strip, ValueMap, TubeMatch, and MixMap. It also includes many other features not listed here - please view the CopyIt User 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. CopyIt's Crop and Image Aspect tools help you match the reference to your paper or canvas ratio before you begin.

Step-by-step guide for using CopyIt effectively

60-second quick start

1. Set Media Sizes first: Pick your actual paper or canvas so proportions and Ruler measurements match your physical surface.
2. Match composition: Use Image Aspect, then Crop Image (Apply/Cancel/Revert) before you start gridding.
3. Set core grid controls: Choose Grid Type, Grid Size, and Columns/Rows for the level of detail you need.
4. Improve readability: Turn on Grid Numbers, Guidelines, and optional Cross Guides, then tune Line Thickness and Line Opacity.
5. Protect your setup: Save Project, then use Smart Move + Target Mode to work cell by cell.

Load your image and orient your device

1. Open CopyIt: Import your reference photo and match portrait or landscape orientation to your subject.
2. Set up the viewing workspace: Hide the toolbar for a clean reference when needed, then show it again for adjustments. Once your setup is correct, Lock Toolbar can prevent accidental taps during drawing.

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 matches the project to your chosen media, which also makes tools like the Ruler meaningful for real measurements.
3. Check composition fit: Use Image Aspect and Crop before serious drawing begins so the reference shape matches the surface you plan to work on.

Configure the grid for visibility and accuracy

1. Choose grid type: CopyIt offers six grid types: Std, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/6, and 1/8. Std uses equal-sized square cells. The fraction grid types divide the image into 2x2, 3x3, 4x4, 6x6, or 8x8 rows and columns, and the cells may be rectangular depending on the image ratio.
2. Set Grid Size: Use a preset (for example 12x16, 6x8, 3x4) for quick setup, or enter exact Cols/Rows values for custom structures. More divisions improve placement accuracy; fewer divisions are faster.
3. Set Columns and Rows exactly: Use the numeric controls when presets are close but not precise enough for your surface or class setup.
4. Grid color and opacity: Pick a contrasting grid color and adjust transparency so lines are visible but not overpowering.
5. Line thickness and line opacity: Select values that keep the grid readable without covering important details.
6. Labels: Enable grid letters and numbers for quick indexing between your device and physical surface (for example A0, B3, C5).
7. Guidelines: Turn on 1/4 or 1/16 guidelines when you need more reference points inside each square. Use Dashed Guidelines and Guideline Colors to keep subdivisions readable.
8. Cross Guides: Show diagonal cross lines through each cell when you need clearer centre finding and diagonal placement checks.
9. Optional centre aid: Use Center Dots from Settings when centre placement matters more than continuous guide lines.

Save the setup before you draw

1. Start with New Project: Begin a fresh setup for the current artwork.
2. Use Save Project often: A saved project stores your reference image, grid configuration, zoom level, and working settings.
3. Return with Load Project: Reopen a previous session with your setup restored so you can continue immediately.
4. Avoid rework: This is especially helpful for multi-session drawings and classroom demonstrations where you want the exact same setup each time.

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 Smart Move: Tap a cell to jump directly to it, then use arrows or tap the next cell to move systematically without manual panning.
3. Add Target Mode if needed: When Smart Move is active, Target Mode highlights the current cell and dims the rest so you can concentrate on one square at a time.
4. Use guidelines: Place key intersections along the internal guides to lock proportions quickly.
5. Contour mapping: Draw essential lines and shapes only. Follow angles and lengths within each square rather than naming objects.
6. Check proportion: Move between neighboring squares to maintain continuity and correct lightly as you go.

Refine values and details with CopyIt tools

1. Zoom Presets and Zoom: Set the max zoom range first (for example 5x, 10x, 20x), then use the slider or pinch to inspect fine details.
2. Tonal Strip: Compare local lights and darks to guide graphite values or underpainting tones.
3. ValueMap: Group the image into 3, 5, or 7 value zones, choose a scheme (Heat, Gray, Earth, or HC), and adjust opacity for a clearer value roadmap.
4. Mosaic and Mosaic Size: Simplify complex areas into averaged colour blocks, then tune block size so you can read big shape relationships first.
5. TubeMatch: Approximate single unmixed paints or pencil colours to build a practical starting palette. Choose Medium sets the TubeMatch medium.
6. MixMap: Use MixMap when a colour needs blending rather than a straight tube match. MixMap chooses its medium inside MixMap itself, and it can also use TubeMatch ranges to suggest paint mixes.
7. Important: TubeMatch and MixMap are mutually exclusive modes, so turning one on turns the other off.

Painting workflow from drawing to color

1. Underpainting or ValueMap plan: Seal your drawing or create a monochrome value layer guided by ValueMap zones to stabilise proportion and values.
2. Palette setup with TubeMatch: Pull key hues for skin, sky, foliage, or fabric and premix base notes and value steps.
3. Refine difficult colours with MixMap: When a straight tube colour is too crude, use MixMap for blend suggestions and test those mixes on the palette first.
4. Color blocking: Lay in large shapes by square, matching edges to grid lines and working from mid-tones outward.
5. Edge control: Use zoom to match soft and hard edges, blending or sharpening as observed.
6. 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, lower opacity, or hide the toolbar while you focus on the reference.
• Square confusion: Turn on grid labels and use Smart Move with Target Mode for faster anchoring and fewer mistakes.
• Fatigue and accuracy: Work in short, focused intervals per square. Light lines make corrections painless.
• Colour matching problems: Use TubeMatch for straight-from-the-tube suggestions and MixMap for blends. Remember these modes are mutually exclusive, and always test results on your actual surface before committing.
• Device standby: Keep your screen awake so your reference stays visible while you draw.

Quick checklist for a smooth session