This document provides instructions for creating a portrait using grid transfer and shading techniques in Photoshop. It involves the following steps: finding a reference photo, converting it to grayscale, creating a grid overlay, printing the image with and without the grid, transferring the grid to drawing paper to create a contour outline drawing, and then adding shading to the drawing. Key aspects of the process include using a high contrast reference photo, resizing and gridding the digital image, printing and transferring squares one at a time onto the drawing paper to build up the portrait detail by detail.

1. CHUCK
CLOSE
With Mrs. Hurd
Portrait
Project

2. Step 1:
• Find a reference photo on the internet
Use google, or facebook, Instagram, etc…
• Right click image and save as .jpeg
*TIPS
Look for an image that is HIGH CONTRAST- that means extreme
highlights and shadows
< means to click with the mouse

3. Step 2:
• Open Photoshop
• <file
• <open
• < find saved photo

4. Step 3:
Convert image to grayscale
• <Image
• <Mode
• <Grayscale

5. Step 4:
Unlock layer
(Layers are located on
the right hand side of
the screen. This
program uses lots of
layers. Each time you
edit a new layer will
appear)
• Double click to
unlock
<Ok

6. Step 5:
Create a duplicate layer
• Right Click on the layer
• <Duplicate Layer

7. Step 6:
Adjust the
Brightness/Contrast
(Try to tweak so that it
is high contrast-extreme
shadows and bright
white highlights)
• <Image
• < Adjustments
• Brightness/Contrast

8. Step 7:
• Resize image
The reference photo
should be 6x8 or 8x6
inches.
• <Image
• <Image Size
*Tips
Make sure you are using
inches not pixels

9. Step 8:
We are going to create a grid
across the entire image. This
will serve as a guide when
enlarging & transferring
drawing.
• Click on the LINE TOOL
• <Click on the color swatch
to change the color of your
line. Determine if you
need a dark color or a light
color.

10. Step 9:
• You need a ruler to make
a grid.
• <View
• <Rulers

11. Create a new layer so that
the grid will be on top of
the image and will be easily
removed later.
• <the icon that looks like a
piece of paper with the
corner folded up

12. Step 9:
• Begin creating the
grid
• Line up the cross hair
with the inches on
the rulers
• Do all your vertical
lines, then do the
horizontal lines
• Each time you make a
line it will create a
new layer
• Make sure your lines
are straight!

13. Step 10:
• Merge line layers to create the grid
• <on the top layer
Scroll down and click on the last line layer
They should all be highlighted in blue
• Right click and <merge layers
• You should now have a grid layer, a layer that has been altered with
brightness contrast sliders, and original
*Do you see the eye ball icon? This icon controls what layers can be
seen.

14. PRINTING
• <File
• <Print
Print 1 image with grid.
< eyeball icon off of grid
layer
<File
<Print
Print 1 image without
grid

15. Save & Close
• <File
• <Save
Save file and exit out of program

16. The Grid Method

17. Now its time to begin drawing
• Grab supplies
Ruler, pencil, eraser, 12x18 drawing paper
• The reference photo is 6x8 or 8x6 with a 1 inch grid
• The good drawing paper is 12x18 or 18x12. You need to place a 2
inch grid across the drawing paper
• DRAW LIGHTLY!!! We will be erasing the grid later and it should not
be seen in the final artwork.
• DO NOT BEGIN SHADING
You should be creating a contour outline of all the shapes
When that is finished we will begin shading after demonstration

18. Outline Grid Drawing

19. This is what your drawing will look like after grid
is erased and it has been shaded.
Value Map Shaded
Drawing

20. View finder
To aid in correct proportions you will need to create a view finder. This
will help you concentrate on drawing the correct shapes.
1. Use scrap sketchbook paper or copy paper
2. In the center measure a 1x1 inch square
3. Use scissors and cut out square (fold paper, snip, poke scissors into
square and cut out- DO NOT CUT UP FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE
PAPER!)
4. Use this to cover all the square on the reference paper except the
one that you are drawing.

21. Numbering
• Number each grid square on reference photo
• Number each grid square on drawing paper (LIGHTLY)
• Transfer square by square until the drawing is done
• NO CHEATING- DO NOT TRY TO DRAW MORE THAN ONE GRID
SQUARE AT A TIME- break it into simple shapes.
• When you are finished you should have a contour outline drawing-
that looks similar to a paint by number.

22. Pre-shaded Examples