Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci
Drawing the Mona Lisa with a grid is a good way to produce an accurate rendering of da Vinci's master work. The use of grids dates back to the ancient Egyptians. It continued through the Baroque Period and remains in use by artists today. Gridding ensures accuracy and perspective to the art subject. A grid also allows you to enlarge or minimize the reference work to the size you want for your final piece. Each block of the grid gives you a reference point to concentrate on and provides a foundation you can use to stay focused on each aspect of the Mona Lisa drawing.
Instructions
Create the Grid
1. Measure 1/2 inch between each horizontal line.
Place dots down the sides of the Mona Lisa reference photo, ½-inch apart, using a ruler as a guide. Use the fine-tip pen to draw horizontal lines connecting the dots across the reference photo.
2. The completed graph consists of equal sized horizontal and vertical lines.
Place dots ½-inch apart along the top and bottom of the reference photo, using the ruler for accuracy.
Use the fine-tip pen to draw vertical lines connecting the dots from top to bottom.
3. Place dots 1 inch apart down each side of the sketch paper using the ruler as a guide. Use the 2B pencil to draw horizontal lines connecting the dots. Use very light pressure on the pencil to prevent scoring the paper.
4. Place dots 1 inch apart across the top and bottom of the sketch paper, using the ruler as a guide. Use the 2B pencil to connect the dots with vertical lines, using very light pressure.
Draw the Mona Lisa
5. Choose a square on the reference photo grid to begin your drawing. Find the corresponding square on the sketch paper by counting across and down the number of squares on both the reference photo and sketch paper grid.
6. Draw details by referring to the reference photo grid.
Examine the details in the Mona Lisa grid square you chose. Begin drawing the reference square details with the 2B pencil into the matching square of the sketch paper. When drawing one of Mona Lisa's eyes, for instance, outline the edge of the iris and pupil first. Look for contrast, highlights and shadows. Apply heavier pressure on your pencil for dark shadows and lighter pressure for mid-tones. Leave the white of the paper to show the lightest highlights. Working in the highlights gives the eye a translucent quality. Continue working toward the outer and inner corners of the eye.
Continue analyzing each square of the grid with this process until all the grid squares are complete.
7. Erase the grid squares when you are satisfied with the details of each square. Adding as much detail as possible to each grid square will result in an accurate rendering of the Mona Lisa.
