What a breath of fresh air! Finally someone who knows what he is talking about and easy to follow. I’ve looked for this man for a lifetime. I’m now 71; thanks for educating me.
So nice to watch a video by someone who actually know what they are doing. One curse of the internet is, to many people offers art classes and they don't know how to teach. All they do is draw/paint a pictures and say things like "don't over think it", "just go with the flow", "Use your own choice of colours". That is not teaching. If people can't explain every step of the process, they shouldn't be teaching.
I think that's just people as a whole, when they have too much of something, they want the exact opposite. I can just imagine, like he said this tool is not even new, and when they used to use too much of it, group of these internet art teacher type of people went, oh why bother, just relax and draw. Then all of a sudden, humanity need to relearn how to draw. I teach art in a high-school, and I would explain to them, look at proportions, how things are related to each others. Don't buy premix paints, I explained temperature, mixing the perfect purple, all the fun stuff. Kids continued to bring tube paints instead of mixing, so I stopped them from bringing their own, and gave them my own paint. Next thing is the school wants me to relax, because "I was limiting the students' creativity, because I don't let them use colors". So I did, like why do I want to argue for more work and waste my own paint, when school wants this class to be in their exact words "relax, creative and fun." Next thing is oh all of a sudden when admin did the annual evaluation, and they see kids painting whatever they want; they just decided I don't teach the technique, and I was told there's a reason school hires a teacher. I was like BRUH! You betrayed me!
You're so right, its basically watching them do it well, without actually explaining WHY or HOW they got to that point, and just saying generic things, not actual knowledge. They should just be quiet, put on music and let us watch them draw. This man is actually teaching HOW , I've learned more from him, and he didn't actually draw much of anything. He's a REAL teacher!
@@ooXChrissieXoo As a kid, when I had art classes we used rather good materials and we didn't even know it. Today I cringe when I think about how much money went down the drain, because of that. Only like 3 out of maybe 40 ever made a living in art and we would probably had done it without expensive materials, because we all do in digital art.
@@penelope-oe2vr The problem with many of those online classes is; they cost money and some cost a lot. Someone get a lot of followers on youtube and the followers get starstruck and the youtubers can sell anything to them. Even classes where, all the maybe learn, is to make a copy of what the "teacher" is making during "class".
Dividers are actually very useful! Oddly enough I first learned of them fom my husband who's a woodworker. He learned it from his father. You can use them in stead of measuring, and especially when things repeat. They excel at "recording" or measuring proportions. Such a simple and effective tool!
I was like you , drawing, painting for ages, five years at art school and never was I introduced to one of these. Now I've got one I don't go anywhere without it. You can measure sight size, scale up, get angles if you hold one part up straight and move the other, or just use it as a measuring stick, and the holes in it are really helpful there sometimes. Brilliant piece of kit.
So glad I can find teachers like you after the ones I had before. I could listen to you all day. So much stuff in each video and not a pretentious teacher. Wish I knew this 44 years ago.
Now THIS is real advanced education. I have a B.S. in Computer Science and I’ve taken excellent college courses & ridiculous college courses. This is the real deal, a professional sharing years of experience. Thank you sir!
I bought a proportional divider after seeing this the first time and used it on a portrait I wasn't happy with after reworking it a few times. I tried this gizmo on my painting and was able to correct the issues I was having with it. Thanks!
I have been so frustrated on here looking for avideo of how to draw the portions of the human body. I cannot believe the people on here that do not explain anything at all in the right way in order for a beginner to understand...I am absolutely frustrated....until I got to your video...you have a calming voice and you seem like a person who is happy and a good teacher thank you so much for helping me finally I found someone who knows what they are doing!!! I've been a arriest my entire life but have not drawn anything in years...I'm drawing the comic character "Lobo" for my boyfriend and it's bring back memories of how stressfully it is to be an artist at times...and how much focusyou have to put in on a piece of work. Thanks again for your video!!
I have learned more from you in the few videos I watched then any class I have taken, I wanted to learn the basics of oil painting and took a class through the college, the teacher told us what products to use then said find a picture you want to do and just do that. That was as far as she got, she just sat in the front of the room and did nothing else but hand out printed paper of basic theory that I was taught in kindergarten. I just want to thank you for wonderful lessons.
I learned what a proportional divider was about 1980. I was a draftsman (woman) for my dad, who was a geologist. That was back in.the day when drafting was done with pen and ink, lettering guides, flexible curves, templates, drafting tape, etc. It was a very nice architectural type divider, which did on occasion draw a little blood, but I've had worse paper cuts! I used it working as a draftsman and while I was going to art school. I loved it and it was great for more than just drawing. It disappeared after he retired, and so has the art of drafting. I wonder if most CAD-ers today would know what a swing arm and a lettering guide was.
Just started painting/drawing four years ago at 72 years of age and got myself one of these but have not been using it much because felt it was kind of like cheating. You have made sense of it all and and in such an easy way. Many thanks.
Very helpful indeed. I am looking forward after 50 years of drawing and painting to finally minimizing the erasing I have to do under my watercolor portraits. Yaay!!
The difference between the true masters and us mere mortals is they became self sufficient in their techniques. Always rely on yourself,ask questions of yourself, be honest and never be afraid to push your boundaries. Tools help,absolutely. But we already have that tool locked away in our brains. Learn to access it. Then you'll never be without. Love the video.
Really great advice. I ended up getting a really nice metal proportional divider and I have to say, it has made quite a difference. I've been using it for a couple of months now and I can see myself already being able to do better without it. It does train your eye, and that's one of the top reasons I wanted to try it out! Thanks for the video!
I’ve used proportional dividers for 40 plus years in drawings and there is a difference in the cheap plastic and the nice drafting dividers, the nice drafting dividers are more refined and you can get far more portions rather than the holes in the plastic. In a pinch you can even make your own dividers from wood. Great class on the use of dividers which are an important tool in an artist tool palette:)
A true "badge of honor" to be sure to be "thrown out of art school", particularly the ones you mentioned early on here, in the previous few decades, and today as well. Good for you Stefan!! Really good stuff on your video's subject here too, thanks!!
I should get you a gold watch... One of your viewers posted a link to your page on the oil color facebook page. I studied art up till the secondary school level and i now practice as a lawyer. I have kept my passion alive by painting for over a decade and a half and i can confirm that most of the things you teach i happen to stumble upon by happenchance. I have to admit that my initial reaction after seeing three of your videos was to go home, throw all my materials away and set all my works ablaze. However, if there is something i have learnt from the few videos i have seen, it is the fact that the 12 important factors required for a great painting should be deliberately factored into the work and not something that comes of by chance. Definitely downloading the free ebook. Thank you soooooooooo much.
Nobody is going to comment on the smooth transitions in this video. P.S - Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. Much appreciated. Love from India.
I got one of those proportional dividers and had a go with it. You demonstration helps to clear up a few things, and I feel you did a great job explaining howto use this simple valuable took. Thanks do much, Stephan!
75 here and learning how to draw. I watched UA-cam tutorials before putting pen to paper. This tool is one of the first tools I purchased but Starting today, I will use it. At my age, I will use all tools that are helpful to speed up my learning curve. I am using Audubon’s watercolor plates used in “Birds of America” book for reference of color and for one resource of accuracy for shape and proportion. Your lesson is probably the most important tools I shall have until my brain-to-hand skills are honed. I have collected many drawings of birds. Some do not seem to relate the photos in my collections at all. I believe I will be much happier with my results now. Thank you for gifting us.
My goodness, I've spent months using a ruler and drawing boxes to try and get accurate proportions. And now I learn of a device that does it on the fly. I feel both stupid and ecstatic at the same time.
It's great for landscape painting in plein air for structures....to get the correct proportions to fit the size of canvas....Urban scapes...or if using a photo of say a barn...and you want to get the correct proportions again ...of that barn in the photo to fit the size canvas...and of course achieving the correct measurements to render the structure. I've seen many painting where artists just free hand the structure and they are not straight...thus when the viewer looks at it....it bothers the eye...thanks for This demo....there is another porpotional round device where you point to the measurement sizes and it gives you the correct size of canvas and dimensional aspects of the subject .. ...thanks Stefan...you always share topics of great importance... Those ladies are lucky to be in your class....still haven't found you in China town or on the streets of SF...one day I hope to...
You’re not kidding about the beginning drawing class! I took one in high school and that was the last art class that I ever took. I was more advanced but they made me start at the beginning. 🤦🏻♀️
I made myself a couple of pd's, it's quite easy and very helpful. What is great is that you can use them to transfer angles too, you just align the one part of it to the center line and open the other to the angle you need to measure. Then you use the same of the bigger opening to transfer it to canvas.
I too went to Academy of Art...for 3 years. After taking Analysis of Form twice, they immediately placed me in Perspective and wouldn't let me take any simpler classes until passing it. After 3 tries, I had to give up since it was taking up all my money. They taught me nothing and I've never heard of this tool until now. Thank you for uploading this video.
I learned a lot from my drawing professor, Karen Adrienne, at UMA, in Maine. I was amazed at my progression just in the short span of one college class. We had opportunity to draw nudes, both male and female. I was intimidated at first, but she made it very approachable. A good teacher is priceless
I'm glad to have discovered this. I bought myself one of these things from Amazon last summer n wasn't sure if it was really useful. Thanx for the info :)
I watched this after buying dividers as used them close to 40 years ago at school for technical drawing,,I'm looking to make scale car models working from 1/76 scale to about 3 times larger close to 1/24 scale,,,these tools are great,,,, Big Thanx to Stephan for a great tutorial,,
Im a woodworker and people always forget how fundamental the divider is. If you use it well, you can use it to create straight lines, straight edges, a measurement system, builders levels, surveying tools. And all you need to create those things? A piece of string, a nail and a pencil. Dividers are so deeply linked with the progress of humankind. Amazing tools.
That's neat! I learned about the proportional divider when I was learning clay and pottery! We use those very, very often! Thank you for the video! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and your skills with us all who are not able to take your classes in person! God Bless!
I find that by moving my arm and shoulder faster that my eye moves faster too, but also it becomes more accurate. Blocking in the proportions goes pretty fast when doing life drawing, but not establishing any line (darkening any line) before all the big shapes are in is key. If I try to slow down and concentrate, my field of vision tends to narrow. These dividers might be something to look into; but I find that simply by moving faster my brain works faster and I see a lot more information.... and the proportions tend to be placed down fairly accurately. I end up seeing the whole (gestalt) over the details... and it stands to reason. If the eye moves faster, detail is subsumed automatically.
When I did a lot of wildlife paintings about 30 years ago I used a straight architects divider a lot, to work out proportions of this to that and all that, but not a proportional divider for the drawing. I mostly used the grid method from my photos at wild animal parks and zoos, and some of my field drawings if they were good enough. Got that from books. I do plein air landscapes, here in AZ now, but I can see their uses there too after seeing this video!!
Oh!! I just saw you in utube and I'm so soo happy!! I watched you paint and explain things on TV ... then you weren't on TV anymore....Just wanted to tell you I love I can see you work and you telling/explain again.....happy happy!
I really enjoyed this and hauled out my AccuSee that had been collecting dust because of my lack of knowledge. Thank you for the info and fun even years after the fact. 👏🏻❣️
Those high dollar ones are important for drafting, where a thousandths of an inch could change a buildings size if you are changing the scale between drawings. Of course these days most of that is CAD so I'm not sure if they are needed there.
Thank you! I took "high school art", it ALMOST DESTROYED my Art. Today. I art everywhere- except life forms... But, I'm actually looking into figure drawings.. lol
I wish I would have had him as a teacher back in the 70s but, he was a student as I was. I did not follow thru with my dream. He did and that's why he's so enthusiastic and I'm...not so much. Great video; I'll keep coming back now that I've discovered the teacher I should have had.
Hehehe...Thanks for confirming something for me. I've just ordered one on ebay and I mentioned buying one (without a description of what it is or does) to my brother (who's an architect) and strait away he said "yep, that'll come in very useful"...now I know how he knew. Thanks.
Thank you so much for introducing this tool to the world and me. What an essential thing to have. Thank you again!!! Your art, videos, waistcoat and education is awesome! 👊
I have to say i loved your video! I am going back into art after being away for a while although i did sculpt for a while and sold them. I'm 63 now and hope to set up my own pet portrait business. Back when i was beteen 14 and 16 i copied photos from magazines and newspaper's, i had no tools but managed to copy freehand to get a realistic interpretation of that image and even sold some! Nowadays, people use lightboxes and projectors but i want my work to be completely freehand, not knocking what other artists do, but it doesn't test your ability i don't think. This little inexpensive tool will help to get the dimensions and perspective right and your explanation was amazing! I need you to come to the UK and teach me lol Thank you for sharing your knowledge 😊
Thanks for the kind words Maybe you would do good to jump into my coaching program to get ahead of the compatioin! call me 415-606-9074 you can all me on Whats Up
I´ve done quite a lot of pencil drawings since I was 10, stopped for a long time because of my job and now start again moving on to acrylic paintings and larger canvases. I am no beginner to getting proportions but this is the first time ever I hear about a proportional divider. I always believed that drawing was about estimation and that great artists were just better at guessing distances and understanding three dimensional shapes. Maybe there are a few but right now I rather wonder how many top notch artists just use proportional dividers or have used them to sharpen their skills to the point they are at right now. If investing 15 bucks rids you of proportion mistakes forever I´ll gladly accept as it´s up to you to decide how intensive you use this tool. @Stefan Baumann: As you say you still have to draw the lines between the points so even from a conservative point of view calling this "cheating" or "tracing lines" would be major exaggeration. Thanks a lot for this valuable hint! Once again I see that being invisible in places as a ninja sometimes means not being there at all. As simple as that. BTW: Never met anyone cleaning a white board with their bare hands even when there is no sponge to do so but that certainly adds to a teacher´s artistic character :D
I’m not an artist but I have wanted to gain some perspectives. Utilizing the proportional dividers, taking a step at a time, I can futuristically see my design. Many thanks!
Just happen to find you,such good explanation…….have to absorb it again,again,then try my new found techniques. Thank you. Just sent your site to my daughter.
I use My divider when I'm drawing from a very small reference photo. Sure comes in handy locating/placing objects on the paper or canvas. It did help me learn how to observe and that improved my drawing tremendously and it happened quickly. Not bad for an inexpensive plastic tool, huh?
Oh happy day! Today I found your videos and website. What a wonderful teacher you are and what a wonderful artist. The proportional divider is amazing. I started drawing as a kid and then bad things happened which made me leave artwork. Now as an old lady I am beginning again. I can draw my ass off...no worries...but, and it is a big butt...proportion has ALWAYS been my downfall. What a wonderful solution. I can't wait until my tool arrives. Thank you for putting your wonderful tutorials on youtube.
If only I had seen this years ago would have saved me so much trouble. Thank you for sharing this, I bought one immediately, can't wait for it to arrive.
@@alegriart In figure drawing classes I had a nice bamboo chop stick, which I had marked randomly with a sharpie, but this would be nicer; and not make me hungry!!! :D
@@somethingbeautiful2212 Go buy two wooden rulers. Use a tablesaw to cut them perfectly in half, drill small holes every 2 or 3 inches, and buy a couple of small bolts and washers to fit into those holes, after lining the two sections up. Viola, easy. Now you have two devices, one to use and the other one to send to me Lol.
@@taotuhao5969 yes, they also sell strips of bass wood in various thicknesses and widths in the hardware store, get those, and use a bolt and wing nut for easy off and on through the drilled adjusting holes!!
Where have U been all my life. Wish U were around when i was young. I thought the same thing about my art teachers, which made me give up art! Thank you!
I bought one of these back in the late 1990's for working out of doors... Got it from Jerry's Art-O-Rama wholesale art supplier back when they still had art catalogs... for under $6... of course that's a few years ago. I think you still might find this tool at Art Supply Warehouse on line... but you know an old fashioned compass works just as well plus you already have a lead point in it to mark your points of reference. You can also do a few extra things with a compass that you can't do with a prospect and I'm sure you can get one for a lot less money. Just so you know... this is a handy tool... just a little pricey.
Wooooooow!!! Thanks. I knew about the proportional divider but I didn't know what it was called. I've used a ruler, my mail envelop, folded paper etc now this. Heeeeeere I come Ebay. Can't wait to use it.
Thank you for this video. I finally learned how to use it correctly and it will help me a lot to get references on the canvas with the correct proportions. 👍🏾
I remember as a little girl my dad having a fancy proportional divider. I'm 63 now and I thank you for explaining how to use one. I think this will be very helpful in my drawings and I look forward to getting mine!! PS I'm loving the videos you are posting. They seem to be answering the questions I'm just now getting around to asking. Better late than never, right?
So awesome! Thank you so much for the valuable information! I am just trying to learn how to draw portraits from life and was especially looking for how to take proper measurements and now I'm super excited and happy to try this tool!!! Again a BIG THANK YOU!!
I know what you mean about order the Proportional Divider, I was doing some dot painting (I should say, trying to teach myself the art) I went into Michaels and Joann's and no one had one, ordered one and horrible, so cheap I couldn't use it. Thank you for the info where to buy. I love your videos, what a blessing you are Stefan.
Your tips in this and your other videos have been so inspirational and valuable. Thank you so very much for sharing. Sending Blessing and positivity your way..
So happy I found your video. Even more thrilled to realize, as sailors, I already own one. Cannot wait to pull it out of our overboard bag and have a go at it. Sailing ships and perspective can be so difficult. Especially for someone so new to drawing. Thank you.
What a breath of fresh air! Finally someone who knows what he is talking about and easy to follow. I’ve looked for this man for a lifetime. I’m now 71; thanks for educating me.
Excellent Drawing, I also need your support. Thank You!
So nice to watch a video by someone who actually know what they are doing. One curse of the internet is, to many people offers art classes and they don't know how to teach. All they do is draw/paint a pictures and say things like "don't over think it", "just go with the flow", "Use your own choice of colours". That is not teaching. If people can't explain every step of the process, they shouldn't be teaching.
I think that's just people as a whole, when they have too much of something, they want the exact opposite. I can just imagine, like he said this tool is not even new, and when they used to use too much of it, group of these internet art teacher type of people went, oh why bother, just relax and draw. Then all of a sudden, humanity need to relearn how to draw.
I teach art in a high-school, and I would explain to them, look at proportions, how things are related to each others. Don't buy premix paints, I explained temperature, mixing the perfect purple, all the fun stuff. Kids continued to bring tube paints instead of mixing, so I stopped them from bringing their own, and gave them my own paint.
Next thing is the school wants me to relax, because "I was limiting the students' creativity, because I don't let them use colors". So I did, like why do I want to argue for more work and waste my own paint, when school wants this class to be in their exact words "relax, creative and fun." Next thing is oh all of a sudden when admin did the annual evaluation, and they see kids painting whatever they want; they just decided I don't teach the technique, and I was told there's a reason school hires a teacher. I was like BRUH! You betrayed me!
You're so right, its basically watching them do it well, without actually explaining WHY or HOW they got to that point, and just saying generic things, not actual knowledge. They should just be quiet, put on music and let us watch them draw. This man is actually teaching HOW , I've learned more from him, and he didn't actually draw much of anything. He's a REAL teacher!
Well said
@@ooXChrissieXoo As a kid, when I had art classes we used rather good materials and we didn't even know it. Today I cringe when I think about how much money went down the drain, because of that. Only like 3 out of maybe 40 ever made a living in art and we would probably had done it without expensive materials, because we all do in digital art.
@@penelope-oe2vr The problem with many of those online classes is; they cost money and some cost a lot. Someone get a lot of followers on youtube and the followers get starstruck and the youtubers can sell anything to them. Even classes where, all the maybe learn, is to make a copy of what the "teacher" is making during "class".
Dividers are actually very useful! Oddly enough I first learned of them fom my husband who's a woodworker. He learned it from his father. You can use them in stead of measuring, and especially when things repeat. They excel at "recording" or measuring proportions. Such a simple and effective tool!
I was like you , drawing, painting for ages, five years at art school and never was I introduced to one of these. Now I've got one I don't go anywhere without it. You can measure sight size, scale up, get angles if you hold one part up straight and move the other, or just use it as a measuring stick, and the holes in it are really helpful there sometimes. Brilliant piece of kit.
thanks for sharing
Woah I never thought of getting angles with that. Thanks!
So glad I can find teachers like you after the ones I had before. I could listen to you all day. So much stuff in each video and not a pretentious teacher. Wish I knew this 44 years ago.
Heli PadUSA - Totally agree!
Now THIS is real advanced education.
I have a B.S. in Computer Science and I’ve taken excellent college courses & ridiculous college courses. This is the real deal, a professional sharing years of experience. Thank you sir!
Stefan I took a beginning class in 1969 at age of 19 now at age of 67 I have had the most important class I ever took...I thank you so very much...
I bought a proportional divider after seeing this the first time and used it on a portrait I wasn't happy with after reworking it a few times. I tried this gizmo on my painting and was able to correct the issues I was having with it. Thanks!
I have been so frustrated on here looking for avideo of how to draw the portions of the human body. I cannot believe the people on here that do not explain anything at all in the right way in order for a beginner to understand...I am absolutely frustrated....until I got to your video...you have a calming voice and you seem like a person who is happy and a good teacher thank you so much for helping me finally I found someone who knows what they are doing!!! I've been a arriest my entire life but have not drawn anything in years...I'm drawing the comic character "Lobo" for my boyfriend and it's bring back memories of how stressfully it is to be an artist at times...and how much focusyou have to put in on a piece of work. Thanks again for your video!!
I have learned more from you in the few videos I watched then any class I have taken, I wanted to learn the basics of oil painting and took a class through the college, the teacher told us what products to use then said find a picture you want to do and just do that. That was as far as she got, she just sat in the front of the room and did nothing else but hand out printed paper of basic theory that I was taught in kindergarten. I just want to thank you for wonderful lessons.
I learned what a proportional divider was about 1980. I was a draftsman (woman) for my dad, who was a geologist. That was back in.the day when drafting was done with pen and ink, lettering guides, flexible curves, templates, drafting tape, etc. It was a very nice architectural type divider, which did on occasion draw a little blood, but I've had worse paper cuts! I used it working as a draftsman and while I was going to art school. I loved it and it was great for more than just drawing. It disappeared after he retired, and so has the art of drafting. I wonder if most CAD-ers today would know what a swing arm and a lettering guide was.
That’s so cool, I wish I had that background! Time to find out what a swing arm is!
Just started painting/drawing four years ago at 72 years of age and got myself one of these but have not been using it much because felt it was kind of like cheating. You have made sense of it all and and in such an easy way. Many thanks.
Very helpful indeed. I am looking forward after 50 years of drawing and painting to finally minimizing the erasing I have to do under my watercolor portraits. Yaay!!
The difference between the true masters and us mere mortals is they became self sufficient in their techniques. Always rely on yourself,ask questions of yourself, be honest and never be afraid to push your boundaries. Tools help,absolutely. But we already have that tool locked away in our brains. Learn to access it. Then you'll never be without. Love the video.
Plenty of people 'paint'; few can draw.
Thanks Stefan, this was wonderful.
The Moral of the Video is "Never let school interfere with your education."
Nice
Very interesting and a I've been drawing for over 60 years and have never seen or heard about this tool. Thanks
I love to hear all that an artist says. Experience is the greatest teacher and I love the side story.
Really great advice. I ended up getting a really nice metal proportional divider and I have to say, it has made quite a difference. I've been using it for a couple of months now and I can see myself already being able to do better without it. It does train your eye, and that's one of the top reasons I wanted to try it out! Thanks for the video!
I’ve used proportional dividers for 40 plus years in drawings and there is a difference in the cheap plastic and the nice drafting dividers, the nice drafting dividers are more refined and you can get far more portions rather than the holes in the plastic. In a pinch you can even make your own dividers from wood.
Great class on the use of dividers which are an important tool in an artist tool palette:)
A true "badge of honor" to be sure to be "thrown out of art school", particularly the ones you mentioned early on here, in the previous few decades, and today as well. Good for you Stefan!! Really good stuff on your video's subject here too, thanks!!
I should get you a gold watch... One of your viewers posted a link to your page on the oil color facebook page. I studied art up till the secondary school level and i now practice as a lawyer. I have kept my passion alive by painting for over a decade and a half and i can confirm that most of the things you teach i happen to stumble upon by happenchance. I have to admit that my initial reaction after seeing three of your videos was to go home, throw all my materials away and set all my works ablaze. However, if there is something i have learnt from the few videos i have seen, it is the fact that the 12 important factors required for a great painting should be deliberately factored into the work and not something that comes of by chance. Definitely downloading the free ebook. Thank you soooooooooo much.
Thank you for this video. Art classes 40 yrs ago never taught me how to use this. Now that I am back to art, I have to retract myself!!!!
Nobody is going to comment on the smooth transitions in this video.
P.S - Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. Much appreciated. Love from India.
They're perfect, the timing & the fade!
I got one of those proportional dividers and had a go with it. You demonstration helps to clear up a few things, and I feel you did a great job explaining howto use this simple valuable took. Thanks do much, Stephan!
"Never let school interfere with your education." Great tip !!
I bought one of these yearssss ago and never knew how to use it!!! Oh Stefan I love u so much!!! Muahhhhh (big ol kiss on your cheek)
xoxoxox
Amazing! After all these years (I'm 76) I find someone who teaches me something important in one brief video. Thank you for sharing.
There are others too around your age. Cheers.
75 here and learning how to draw. I watched UA-cam tutorials before putting pen to paper. This tool is one of the first tools I purchased but Starting today, I will use it. At my age, I will use all tools that are helpful to speed up my learning curve.
I am using Audubon’s watercolor plates used in “Birds of America” book for reference of color and for one resource of accuracy for shape and proportion.
Your lesson is probably the most important tools I shall have until my brain-to-hand skills are honed.
I have collected many drawings of birds. Some do not seem to relate the photos in my collections at all. I believe I will be much happier with my results now.
Thank you for gifting us.
I ordered one of these after I saw this video and it has drastically helped my proportions. Thank you so much for this video.
My goodness, I've spent months using a ruler and drawing boxes to try and get accurate proportions. And now I learn of a device that does it on the fly. I feel both stupid and ecstatic at the same time.
You can only go as far as you were taught... I think the teachers were stupid not you
Me too, i am the kind of artist who wants accurate proportions that takes an effort but still find a way for easier techniques coz im lazy😂
I never knew how to use them . very interesting to get the correct relative perspective .
It's great for landscape painting in plein air for structures....to get the correct proportions to fit the size of canvas....Urban scapes...or if using a photo of say a barn...and you want to get the correct proportions again ...of that barn in the photo to fit the size canvas...and of course achieving the correct measurements to render the structure. I've seen many painting where artists just free hand the structure and they are not straight...thus when the viewer looks at it....it bothers the eye...thanks for This demo....there is another porpotional round device where you point to the measurement sizes and it gives you the correct size of canvas and dimensional aspects of the subject .. ...thanks Stefan...you always share topics of great importance...
Those ladies are lucky to be in your class....still haven't found you in China town or on the streets of SF...one day I hope to...
Thank you. You have reminded me that line is beautiful but mass is truth. Returning to "art stuff" after 25 years!
Thank you Stefan, a proportional divider is going into my painting toolbox.! 🎨🖌
You’re not kidding about the beginning drawing class! I took one in high school and that was the last art class that I ever took. I was more advanced but they made me start at the beginning. 🤦🏻♀️
I made myself a couple of pd's, it's quite easy and very helpful. What is great is that you can use them to transfer angles too, you just align the one part of it to the center line and open the other to the angle you need to measure. Then you use the same of the bigger opening to transfer it to canvas.
So, do use two PDs to measure the angle?
Even art teacher cannot make a straight line. Thank you for sharing.
I too went to Academy of Art...for 3 years. After taking Analysis of Form twice, they immediately placed me in Perspective and wouldn't let me take any simpler classes until passing it. After 3 tries, I had to give up since it was taking up all my money. They taught me nothing and I've never heard of this tool until now. Thank you for uploading this video.
Your so welcome
I learned a lot from my drawing professor, Karen Adrienne, at UMA, in Maine. I was amazed at my progression just in the short span of one college class. We had opportunity to draw nudes, both male and female. I was intimidated at first, but she made it very approachable. A good teacher is priceless
I'm glad to have discovered this. I bought myself one of these things from Amazon last summer n wasn't sure if it was really useful. Thanx for the info :)
Thank you... that was the simplest... most comprehensive explanation I have heard so far... and I didn’t fall asleep
Oh Thanks. Self taught and 30 years in.........had no idea.......simple and effective. Best wishes to you!
This is truly the king of Rizz, he's got these ladies going "oooo, aaaah"
I watched this after buying dividers as used them close to 40 years ago at school for technical drawing,,I'm looking to make scale car models working from 1/76 scale to about 3 times larger close to 1/24 scale,,,these tools are great,,,, Big Thanx to Stephan for a great tutorial,,
Im a woodworker and people always forget how fundamental the divider is. If you use it well, you can use it to create straight lines, straight edges, a measurement system, builders levels, surveying tools. And all you need to create those things? A piece of string, a nail and a pencil. Dividers are so deeply linked with the progress of humankind. Amazing tools.
That's neat! I learned about the proportional divider when I was learning clay and pottery! We use those very, very often!
Thank you for the video! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and your skills with us all who are not able to take your classes in person!
God Bless!
Thanks
The first very useful lesson in drawing I found in the You tube.thank you so much.
Mind blown and i spent 1 hour at Michael's searching for this tool, i cant wait to order💚💚💚💶💷💴☕☕☕😱 thank you!
Hannah Garner: Hobby Lobby in Kansas City has these.
Wow, I'm blown away. Thank you, that is amazing.
I can see this helping a lot on free drawings too. Easy to measure heads, and stuff like that.
Gona get one
You’re an awesome teacher! Your lectures are always to the point and informative. Love you
Incredibly useful technique and wonderful video, proportions are my biggest challenge, thank you very much!
Thank you so much, this is going to improve my artwork so much! I have vision loss, so I have trouble with proportions. Bless you!!!!!
Thanks for another informative tutorial.x❤️
I find that by moving my arm and shoulder faster that my eye moves faster too, but also it becomes more accurate. Blocking in the proportions goes pretty fast when doing life drawing, but not establishing any line (darkening any line) before all the big shapes are in is key. If I try to slow down and concentrate, my field of vision tends to narrow. These dividers might be something to look into; but I find that simply by moving faster my brain works faster and I see a lot more information.... and the proportions tend to be placed down fairly accurately. I end up seeing the whole (gestalt) over the details... and it stands to reason. If the eye moves faster, detail is subsumed automatically.
I can't believe I'm just now learning about this after 30 years drawing. Thanks!
When I did a lot of wildlife paintings about 30 years ago I used a straight architects divider a lot, to work out proportions of this to that and all that, but not a proportional divider for the drawing. I mostly used the grid method from my photos at wild animal parks and zoos, and some of my field drawings if they were good enough. Got that from books. I do plein air landscapes, here in AZ now, but I can see their uses there too after seeing this video!!
Oh!! I just saw you in utube and I'm so soo happy!! I watched you paint and explain things on TV ... then you weren't on TV anymore....Just wanted to tell you I love I can see you work and you telling/explain again.....happy happy!
I really enjoyed this and hauled out my AccuSee that had been collecting dust because of my lack of knowledge. Thank you for the info and fun even years after the fact. 👏🏻❣️
Maybe someone should gift him an eraser for the white board, 😉
Honestly Me Exactly my thought. Crowdfunder? Maybe a cheap gold watch too - still does the job! 😆
lol that moment was horrible to watch
Those high dollar ones are important for drafting, where a thousandths of an inch could change a buildings size if you are changing the scale between drawings. Of course these days most of that is CAD so I'm not sure if they are needed there.
I have had one of these for years and no one explained how to use it. THANK YOU!
What a great video. Thanks, Stefan. I just received a golden ratio divider in the mail today. Just ordered the type you showed in the video.
Thank you! I took "high school art", it ALMOST DESTROYED my Art. Today. I art everywhere- except life forms... But, I'm actually looking into figure drawings.. lol
Thank you very much for this explanation and video! I have wondered for years what that tool was for!! 💝💝💝xxx
Thank you for these instructions! I am just starting to use this tool. Very very helpful!!
I wish I would have had him as a teacher back in the 70s but, he was a student as I was. I did not follow thru with my dream. He did and that's why he's so enthusiastic and I'm...not so much. Great video; I'll keep coming back now that I've discovered the teacher I should have had.
Hehehe...Thanks for confirming something for me. I've just ordered one on ebay and I mentioned buying one (without a description of what it is or does) to my brother (who's an architect) and strait away he said "yep, that'll come in very useful"...now I know how he knew. Thanks.
Thank you so much for introducing this tool to the world and me. What an essential thing to have. Thank you again!!! Your art, videos, waistcoat and education is awesome! 👊
This information is amazing to me. Thank you so much. Best bit of information I have had for years.
I so appreciate this information !!
I have to say i loved your video! I am going back into art after being away for a while although i did sculpt for a while and sold them. I'm 63 now and hope to set up my own pet portrait business. Back when i was beteen 14 and 16 i copied photos from magazines and newspaper's, i had no tools but managed to copy freehand to get a realistic interpretation of that image and even sold some! Nowadays, people use lightboxes and projectors but i want my work to be completely freehand, not knocking what other artists do, but it doesn't test your ability i don't think. This little inexpensive tool will help to get the dimensions and perspective right and your explanation was amazing! I need you to come to the UK and teach me lol Thank you for sharing your knowledge 😊
Thanks for the kind words
Maybe you would do good to jump into my coaching program to get ahead of the compatioin! call me 415-606-9074 you can all me on Whats Up
I´ve done quite a lot of pencil drawings since I was 10, stopped for a long time because of my job and now start again moving on to acrylic paintings and larger canvases.
I am no beginner to getting proportions but this is the first time ever I hear about a proportional divider. I always believed that drawing was about estimation and that great artists were just better at guessing distances and understanding three dimensional shapes. Maybe there are a few but right now I rather wonder how many top notch artists just use proportional dividers or have used them to sharpen their skills to the point they are at right now.
If investing 15 bucks rids you of proportion mistakes forever I´ll gladly accept as it´s up to you to decide how intensive you use this tool.
@Stefan Baumann: As you say you still have to draw the lines between the points so even from a conservative point of view calling this "cheating" or "tracing lines" would be major exaggeration. Thanks a lot for this valuable hint!
Once again I see that being invisible in places as a ninja sometimes means not being there at all. As simple as that.
BTW: Never met anyone cleaning a white board with their bare hands even when there is no sponge to do so but that certainly adds to a teacher´s artistic character :D
I’m not an artist but I have wanted to gain some perspectives. Utilizing the proportional dividers, taking a step at a time, I can futuristically see my design. Many thanks!
I usually speed up videos but this guy has an inviting manner of teaching reminds me of classes I’ve been in as a youth, this is comforting to me
Just happen to find you,such good explanation…….have to absorb it again,again,then try my new found techniques.
Thank you.
Just sent your site to my daughter.
I use My divider when I'm drawing from a very small reference photo. Sure comes in handy locating/placing objects on the paper or canvas. It did help me learn how to observe and that improved my drawing tremendously and it happened quickly. Not bad for an inexpensive plastic tool, huh?
Oh happy day! Today I found your videos and website. What a wonderful teacher you are and what a wonderful artist. The proportional divider is amazing. I started drawing as a kid and then bad things happened which made me leave artwork. Now as an old lady I am beginning again. I can draw my ass off...no worries...but, and it is a big butt...proportion has ALWAYS been my downfall. What a wonderful solution. I can't wait until my tool arrives. Thank you for putting your wonderful tutorials on youtube.
your welcome keep watching
OH this changes everything ! I am throwing out the art school technique i learned for proportions and using what you suggested. Thank you so much!
Wow this guy is a fantastic teacher thank you.
If only I had seen this years ago would have saved me so much trouble. Thank you for sharing this, I bought one immediately, can't wait for it to arrive.
Thank you, I have just purchased a proportional divider. I have always just used my pencil and thumb but this will help me be more accurate :)
your welcome
T
Tai chi 24 from the back
@@alegriart In figure drawing classes I had a nice bamboo chop stick, which I had marked randomly with a sharpie, but this would be nicer; and not make me hungry!!! :D
Very glad to hear this man practical ideas to sell art.
I love this, can’t wait to try! I’m going to try and make one diy! It makes perfect sense.
That’s a great idea! A wooden one would feel so much better. Let me know if you decide to produce them for market 😀
@@somethingbeautiful2212 Go buy two wooden rulers. Use a tablesaw to cut them perfectly in half, drill small holes every 2 or 3 inches, and buy a couple of small bolts and washers to fit into those holes, after lining the two sections up. Viola, easy. Now you have two devices, one to use and the other one to send to me Lol.
@Tao Tuhao Thanks, I found a diy video on how to make the proportional divider on Draw Mix Paint channel Looks so easy.
@@taotuhao5969 yes, they also sell strips of bass wood in various thicknesses and widths in the hardware store, get those, and use a bolt and wing nut for easy off and on through the drilled adjusting holes!!
@@ronschlorff7089 That sounds like a great idea. Thanks
Where have U been all my life. Wish U were around when i was young. I thought the same thing about my art teachers, which made me give up art! Thank you!
Thank you very much for your classes,
Thank you sooo much for this teaching !! I had big problems with prospective on painting and now I found a solution for this thanks to you 🌱❤
Thanks so much. Self taught and had no idea. I am gonna get one asap. Grateful Thanks👌
I bought one of these back in the late 1990's for working out of doors... Got it from Jerry's Art-O-Rama wholesale art supplier back when they still had art catalogs... for under $6... of course that's a few years ago. I think you still might find this tool at Art Supply Warehouse on line... but you know an old fashioned compass works just as well plus you already have a lead point in it to mark your points of reference. You can also do a few extra things with a compass that you can't do with a prospect and I'm sure you can get one for a lot less money.
Just so you know... this is a handy tool... just a little pricey.
Yep...I just paid 21 bucks for one on line.
Wooooooow!!! Thanks. I knew about the proportional divider but I didn't know what it was called. I've used a ruler, my mail envelop, folded paper etc now this. Heeeeeere I come Ebay. Can't wait to use it.
I SOOOoooo Appreciate this Teacher and Artist! This info is very important!!!! Thank you sir!!!!!
Boom! Mind blown...thank you brother for sharing.
your welcome
it has similarities with the:
Notional Space Box
Harmonic Armature
and it is a really amazing tip to place the accurate proportions quickly
Thank you for this video. I finally learned how to use it correctly and it will help me a lot to get references on the canvas with the correct proportions. 👍🏾
I remember as a little girl my dad having a fancy proportional divider. I'm 63 now and I thank you for explaining how to use one. I think this will be very helpful in my drawings and I look forward to getting mine!!
PS I'm loving the videos you are posting. They seem to be answering the questions I'm just now getting around to asking. Better late than never, right?
my late husband was an engineer. Some fine metal proportional dividers of his are now a treasured keepsake, but soon to become artist's tool.
This a great learning class, thank you Stefan for sharing.
Your welcome
Okay, I'm sold. I need to get me a one those dividers. Thank you, sir.
So awesome! Thank you so much for the valuable information! I am just trying to learn how to draw portraits from life and was especially looking for how to take proper measurements and now I'm super excited and happy to try this tool!!! Again a BIG THANK YOU!!
I know what you mean about order the Proportional Divider, I was doing some dot painting (I should say, trying to teach myself the art) I went into Michaels and Joann's and no one had one, ordered one and horrible, so cheap I couldn't use it. Thank you for the info where to buy. I love your videos, what a blessing you are Stefan.
your so welcome
Forget the gold watches ⌚️.
How about a proportional divider made of gold !
You're a GREAT teacher AND you keep it light and fun.
I would love a gold proportional divider Thanks
@@StefanBaumann Ace Hardware has nice gold paint, shiny, antique, flat, enamel, acrylic, etc., in small spray cans; get the one for plastics!! :D
Your tips in this and your other videos have been so inspirational and valuable. Thank you so very much for sharing. Sending Blessing and positivity your way..
Wonderful teacher, thank you!!
So happy I found your video. Even more thrilled to realize, as sailors, I already own one. Cannot wait to pull it out of our overboard bag and have a go at it. Sailing ships and perspective can be so difficult. Especially for someone so new to drawing. Thank you.