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How to Draw What You Actually See – Classical Tools for Precision - The Atelier Newsletter
Published 4 months ago • 3 min read
Ever feel like your drawing almost looks like your reference… but something’s just off?
The problem isn’t your eye. It’s your method. In the classical ateliers, students are trained to use simple, powerful tools that act like a GPS system for accurate drawing. You don’t need to draw sight-size to use them — they work whether you’re at an easel, sketching from a photo, or drawing a live model.
How to Draw What You Actually See – Classical Tools for Precision
1. Plumb Lines – Vertical Clarity for Instant Alignment
Plumb lines are vertical lines that help you see how features stack up. Think of them like invisible strings hanging down through the subject. Does the corner of the eye align with the edge of the mouth? Drop a vertical line through it and check.
You can also use a spirit level to trace it.
🔎 Why it works: Our brain often misjudges alignments, especially on curved or tilted forms. A plumb line gives you an objective check—removing the guesswork.
▶️ TRY THIS: In your next drawing, trace a plumb line, then precisely locate the top and bottom of your subject and align it with the plumb line. It will give you two coordinates to start with.
2. Nail Vertical Alignments Every Time with the “E Method”
Now that we have our plumb line, it’s time to use the “E” method with top, middle and bottom lines. Making an “E” means taking three visual landmarks on the model and visualize their spacing by focusing on the shape of the E: is it a thin E, is it a big flat one, a narrow E, a deformed E.
We’re using the shape of a familiar letter to help us visualize the proportions in an abstract manner. We visualize the E on the model and then we try to draw the same shape, with exactly the same proportions on the drawing.
🔎 Why it works: It’s like building a vertical scaffold for your drawing with top, middle and bottom. The more points you locate vertically thanks to the E method, the more everything else falls into place.
▶️ TRY THIS: A couple useful notes to keep in mind but always trust your observation first. Eye Placement: Eyes are one eye-width apart. Nose Width: Aligns with the inner corners of the eyes. Mouth Corners: Align vertically with the pupils.
3. Don’t just Guess. Check.
One of the biggest breakthroughs for many students is realizing this: drawing isn’t about guessing what looks right. It’s about checking. The classical atelier method is built around visual measurement—and the more you do it, the faster and more accurate your drawings will be. Try placing a mark and check, if it’s not right, place another one but don’t erase too quickly. Keep the old one and use it to refine your evaluation.
Drawing is all about trying something and checking for its accuracy. You place a small mark, step back, observe and if it’s right you keep it. If it’s not, you place another mark and start again.
▶️ TRY THIS: Next time something feels “off,” don’t just erase : redraw and compare! Pause and ask: did I check the angle? Did I compare distances? Did I measure a vertical or horizontal alignment? Make your correction next to your previous attempt and only erase the least convincing one.
Final Thought: Accuracy is a Skill, Not a Talent
No one is born with perfect proportions in their head. Even the Old Masters measured, checked, and rechecked. These tools are here to help you train your eye—not restrict your creativity.
Always assume that your first guess is wrong. It's frustrating at first but rewarding when you find errors and correct them successfully.
Free Art Newsletter filled with the best oil painting and drawing tips, directly from the Atelier tradition. Timeless techniques to enjoy weekly to grow and inspire.
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