Proportional Dividers for Observational Drawing?

[iMigraine]

Hey All,

I saw this tool mentioned in one of my drawing books. It sounds great for enlarging your drawings from observation. I see Amazon sells a cheap one for $13 called Accurasee Proportional Divider . Normally these tools go for around $100 but they seem to be used for high precision; made of metal too.

So my question, do any of you find this tool really useful?

[JeffX99]

So my question, do any of you find this tool really useful?

Uh...no. Mechanically measuring and copying would be the opposite of what I enjoy when drawing.

Though I might use it to throw at someone talking too much in drawing sessions. Probably only need one in that case, but a bandolier with like seven of them tucked in it would be cool.

[QueenGwenevere]

$100 for a divider? You could get a projector for not much more and enlarge things way faster... Just sayin'.

If I need to enlarge a drawing, I either use a grid, or scan-and-enlarge, or use a projector. I don't think I've ever used dividers.

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There is a time and place for measuring in art, but a thumb and a pencil work as well, and are cheaper and easier to use...

[iMigraine]

Though I might use it to throw at someone talking too much in drawing sessions. Probably only need one in that case, but a bandolier with like seven of them tucked in it would be cool.

JeffX99, I like your humor!
So basically there is no real need to use one. I guess that most of you use sighting with a pencil or a long sharp pointy stick?

I have a 1/3 scale human skull model that I like to draw. Since some of the features are small (i.e. teeth, etc) it seems hard holding out my pencil and trying to estimate how large something is with it. Maybe I should draw large objects first before attempting smaller ones? Just looking for some good advice.

[blogmatix]

Those things are supposed to help to train your eye, but I never could get the hang of them. My proportions always come out much worse when I try to use a proportional divider than when I just eyeball it. :-)

[JeffX99]

JeffX99, I like your humor!
So basically there is no real need to use one. I guess that most of you use sighting with a pencil or a long sharp pointy stick?

I have a 1/3 scale human skull model that I like to draw. Since some of the features are small (i.e. teeth, etc) it seems hard holding out my pencil and trying to estimate how large something is with it. Maybe I should draw large objects first before attempting smaller ones? Just looking for some good advice.

Glad someone does iMigraine! And yeah - a skewer is ideal...pencils are ok but a bit thick - enough to sometimes hide something you're trying to see.

I don't know if I would worry too much about measuring with the skull - it would be harder due to size. Then again if you consider the fact that a model, who may be 20' away...they may be 1/3 size visually as well. The technique can be used for most things - but you may want to begin to develop just good eye measuring and estimation with your model skull.

[dpaint]

You could also try one of these
http://www.artworkessentials.com/pro...nder/VF68G.htm

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As a rule of thumb, if things are too small to be measured, eyeball 'm...

[Medelo]

What? Isn't learning to measure and increase/decrease size of the object one of the most basic things to learn to do as an artist? This tool seems like a highly overpriced piece of equipment for something that should be a basic skillset.

[iMigraine]

Thanks dpaint, but I'll try learning with a stick instead of buy a gadget.