
All levels
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33 min 29 sec
00:58
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00:45
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01:27
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01:16
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11:06
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17:57
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Blank pages can be overwhelming for even the most experienced artists, but what if, instead, the page was divided into small squares and the only task was to fill each square with a single element? Artist, illustrator, and author Lisa Congdon finds this process so freeing that she returns to it again and again. In this class, Lisa provides insight into why your brain has a natural affinity for the grid to create visual balance. She guides you through choosing a color palette, subject matter, and composition for each square as well as addressing the composition as a whole. You'll work on two projects - a black pencil drawing on white paper and a multi-color drawing on black paper - and in the process, discover your own favorite symbols, shapes, and colors to create different moods and stories in your art.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- White paper approximately 9x12"
- Pencil and pencil sharpener
- Black paper, approximately 6x8"
- Colored pencils in six different shades
- Cutting mat and craft knife
- Ruler
Downloads:
- Create two pieces of art on a grid
- Understand why your brain likes grids and how to achieve balance in your design
- Divide a blank page into squares to make art-making more approachable
- Choose the color palette, subject matter, and composition of your gridded drawing
- Work in black and white as well as multiple colors





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One Square At a Time: Making Art on a Grid Reviews
237 users recommended this class to a friend
Amy Climer
I love the simplicity of this class and the process. I'm looking forward to exploring drawing in grids more. I'd love to see your process for doing this with a digital drawing app too. Thanks Lisa!
15 hours ago
Marybeth Gill
I love this art! It is accessible and beautiful. I would truly love to know some ideas for what you could use these designs for, if you wanted to give something as a gift with the patterns or maybe print on demand. I would love to know how to 'clean up' the drawings so they look like the digitized, printed version on her cool shirt. Thank you!
April 11