How to draw American Gothic by Grant Wood
GRID STEP. You can print out the base construction lines and start drawing on tracing paper or you can draw the grid layout yourself using the following steps.
• Locate the 2 heads in advance and draw their approximate size using ovals. The oval on the right should be larger. • Divide the larger head in half with the centre horizontal line. Draw 1 more segment above this head. At the same distance, add a marginal top line. • Under the centre horizontal line add 5 more at the same distance. At 1/9 of this distance, add the bottom-most line. • Draw 2 vertical lines through the centres of the heads. These will be the centre vertical lines. • Between the centre vertical lines, add 2 vertical lines at the same distance. From the right centre line, draw 2 more lines, keeping the same distance. From the left centre line, draw 2 lines: - 1 line at the same distance; - 1 line at half the distance. The left and rightmost lines are the vertical boundaries of your drawing.
• Locate the 2 heads in advance and draw their approximate size using ovals. The oval on the right should be larger. • Divide the larger head in half with the centre horizontal line. Draw 1 more segment above this head. At the same distance, add a marginal top line. • Under the centre horizontal line add 5 more at the same distance. At 1/9 of this distance, add the bottom-most line. • Draw 2 vertical lines through the centres of the heads. These will be the centre vertical lines. • Between the centre vertical lines, add 2 vertical lines at the same distance. From the right centre line, draw 2 more lines, keeping the same distance. From the left centre line, draw 2 lines: - 1 line at the same distance; - 1 line at half the distance. The left and rightmost lines are the vertical boundaries of your drawing.
STEP 1. Sketch auxiliary shapes for the torsos. Extend the line from the torso to the lower part of the body.
STEP 2. Sketch auxiliary shapes and circles marking the arms.
STEP 3. Add guidelines for the face of man and woman. Refine the shape of their necks, shoulders and arms. Erase some inner lines of the neck and torso.
STEP 4. Trace the shape of the clothes. Draw the shapes of eyes and noses. Add two lines for the mouths. Clean up any unnecessary lines.
STEP 5. Refine the shapes of the heads and add ears to them. For a woman, add fringes and a collar. In the man's hand draw a pitchfork.
STEP 6. Add hair and details to the characters. Outline eyebrows, eyes and mouths. Sketch some of their clothes. Outline the man's fingers and pitchforks. Erase any excess auxiliary lines.
STEP 7. Detail the drawing. Add creases to the faces. Use small lines to draw the woman's hair. Draw ears and glasses on the man. Add print and trim to the dress. Draw creases on the jacket and a jumpsuit underneath.
STEP 8. Check that there are no extra lines in the drawing. Contour couple, trying to vary the thickness and darkness of the line.
STEP 9. Colour in the picture and bring it to life. Enjoy your drawing!
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