How to Use the Grid Drawing Method Like Chuck Close

Chuck Close is known for using what many call the grid drawing method, or grid painting method, to create gigantic realistic portraits.

This is a painting of Close's friend Keith. I know it looks like a photograph, but it really is a painting. In fact, Close used a photograph as a reference for the painting. He was inspired by the photograph's sharp focus around the eyes and blurring in the hair.

I saw this and photographed it at the Saint Louis Art Museum several years ago. Many times, I've come back to this work as inspiration for art lessons, and I'm excited to share one of my favorites using the grid drawing method here.

Close’s Grids in a Nutshell

Chuck Close is pretty well known for using the grid drawing method to enlarge the images he would paint. Let me try to use words to describe what he does. He finds the dimensions of a photograph and then determines how large he wants his work of art to be. He has to scale the photograph up to meet the size of what he is working on. Then, he would have to divide the photograph into equal parts (squares) or a grid. Each grid is one section of what he will create at a larger scale.

So, if you think about a grid as the x and y axis, you might have one square at A6 on the photograph. Close would reproduce that one square at A6 on the photograph onto A6 of his painting. He did this one square at a time until he had a realistic copy of the photograph. Close eventually began to abstract those grids and his works became less realistic.

This is actually a very common way to create artwork. Students begin learning how to do this at least by middle school. You actually see the task of copying a grid in children's coloring books as well.

Keep reading for tips on how to use the grid drawing method with students.

Using Grids in Art

Close used grids to enlarge the image for his painting. Interestingly enough, the actual painting is 108 1/4 x 84 inches. That's huge, and he reproduced that from a regular sized photograph. I think Close is pretty famous for his use of the grid drawing method and using them in the art room is the perfect math integration.

The Grid Drawing Method

In a nutshell, the grid method involves drawing a grid over your reference photo and then drawing a grid of equal ratio on your work surface. Then, you draw the image on your canvas, focusing on one square at a time, until the entire image has been transferred.

The grid method of drawing allows you to produce an accurate line drawing. It reduces your subject to a series of small squares, making it easier to draw the shapes within each square. This is a technique that often makes it easier to draw a subject using smaller sections versus all at the same time.

Using Grids in the Classroom

I think Chuck Close is a great artist to teach when students are learning about grids and proportion in math. It would also be a killer writing prompt. Students can write a story about this person and what they learn about his artistic style. They could also write a monologue based on the photograph. What is Keith thinking?

How to Set Up A Grid Drawing

First, you’ll want to allow your students to choose a photograph. I suggest printing out a variety of photographs in 4x6 size and letting them pick. You can keep it all in one genre; for example, fruit or animals. Party in the Art Room offers some printable grid drawing resources here. And, don’t hesitate to get ideas from your students as well.

Next, choose a nice size piece of paper. You can start with an 8x10 but the bigger the better. A good rule of thumb is to choose something at least double the size of the photo.

Now you’ll want to create the grid on the photograph. For a 4x6 photo, an ideal size for the squares would be 1/2” x 1/2”. Be sure to count the number of boxes on the photograph and make sure they line up with the grid drawn on the paper. Number the boxes on each and make sure they coordinate.

Guide your students in starting with the contour lines of the photograph and filling in accordingly. They are sure to get close to the original photo.

Want to bring the grid drawing method to your classroom? Start off with this Pop Art Grid Drawing Activity. It’s a simple introduction that will give your students the confidence to work on more difficult grid projects! It will also help you teach the grid method in a concise way where every student has the chance to be successful.

Benefits of Using Grids in the Art Room

Not only does this add math integration, but it also helps build students’ confidence in being able to draw detailed pictures. They are able to break down photos using the “grid” and tackle them by drawing small sections at a time. Because students can sometimes get overwhelmed with drawing realia pictures, using a grid will help ease some of that stress.

Do you have other ideas? Please share!