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Scaling tool for drawing

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Moi 17

Linda Wilson

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I’m sure I’ve seen a picture of a tool for scaling up, when drawing from life, in the last month or so.  But I can’t seem to find it now.  I thought it was in The Artist magazine.  I thought that looks interesting I will read about that later, but it seems to have vanished.  The tool was a bit like a wooden pair of scissors, with pointy bits instead of finger holes.  I think you could adjust the fulcrum, to choose what ratio you want.  Has anyone else seen this?  What is it called?  Where can you get one?

Alan Morris

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Hello Linda, Might this be the device you are looking for?  I use one similar to scale up sketches. https://www.jacksonsart.com/derwent-scale-divider Alan Morris

Alan Bickley

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No, I don’t know of anything like this Linda.  I use the tried and tested method of scaling up using the grid method, but I’m sure that you know how to do that. It is a bit long winded I suppose, but I find it accurate and quite enjoyable.

Fiona Phipps

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Linda, I’ve also seen and read the article and yes, I thought it was in the artist....but I can’t find it anywhere! However, I do have one and it’s called Scale Dividers by Artcoe, can’t remember where I got it from, maybe SAA.

Alan Bickley

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I’ve just looked at the scale divider at Jackson’s, it looks awkward to me, I’ll stick with my old method.

Fiona Phipps

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A thought, do you get newsletters from Jackson’s? I’m wondering if that’s where I’ve seen it.
Moi 17

Linda Wilson

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Thank you Alan, Alan and Fiona.  Now I know where to find it and what it is called.  Brilliant!  Yes I do use the grid method for scaling from other pictures, but I thought it would be really useful for drawing from life, when we return to that luxury.  I live in hope.

Alan Bickley

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Oh I see Linda, not being used as I thought! I don’t have much confidence in it to be honest, I just prefer traditional methods of drawing, but if it helps...

Alan Morris

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For the record, I mostly use the proportional dividers when I have a sketch I don’t want to deface with a drawn grid.  They are also useful for checking proportions when drawing freehand and time is an issue. A similar device to this was in use ancient times and there are records of its use by artists and draughtsmen in the 12th century.  The modern version we use today was patented in 1884.

Edited
by Alan Morris

Moi 17

Linda Wilson

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That is interesting Alan - I did't know it was used in the 12th Century.    Regarding the grid method, I have my own technique.  As I don't want to deface the original, I have a transparent acetate sheet on which I have drawn a grid with a sharpie.  I place this over the original and proceed as normal.  I use this again and again, so it saves time as well.  I originally acquired these acetate sheets for use with an overhead projector (shows my age).  I also use them for putting under my hand when working in pastel, so I don't smudge, but can still see the whole picture.

Alan Morris

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I have used draughting film acquired when I did a garden design course in the days when everything was drawn by hand, in a similar way to your overhead projector acetate. However I do have a habit of keep changing sizes and formats so I end up with loads of different grids. I’ve recently discovered another way though.  Take a photo on your iPad and use one of the many free apps available to impose a grid.  You then have the option of working from the screen or printing it with the grid.

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by Alan Morris

Alan Bickley

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1884... Well there we go then, its stood the test of time. I get the proportion thing that AlanM describes, I can see some value in that aspect of it.
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