Building a Durer Grid: The Frame

Here are the pictures of what I have built so far. All I have left is the grid itself. This cost less than $6.00. You will need 2 sections of PVC pipe. I used 1/2 inch but you can use any thickness. These come in 10 foot sections. You will also need 4 PVC T's, 2 90 degree elbows and 4 end caps all in the same thickness as your pipe. These do not have to be glued together but you can if you want. Start by cutting the first pipe into 2 1/2 foot pieces, 4 of them. You can make the frame smaller or larger if you want, just cut these 4 pieces the desired dimensions. All other directions and measurements will remain the same. From the second piece of pipe you will need 4 nine inch pieces and 2 two inch pieces.









Next put one end cap on each of the 9 inch pieces. Then connect 2 nine inch pieces together with one on the T's.









Next add the two inch piece to the open end of the T and place the end of another T as shown in the picture to the other side of the 2 inch piece. These are the feet. Attach these two feet together with one of the long pieces of pipe. You should end up with something that looks like a stretched out "H".









Now you will use the 2 elbows and the remaining 3 long pieces of pipe and connect them all together as shown. Then take this piece and and put it into the open end of the T's that extend up from each foot.

There is your frame. I will come back in a bit and post the instructions for the grid.

Using the Durer Grid, Take 2

Here are two more samples of Using the Durer Grid. The first set is using a skewed grid where the rows and column lines are parallel to themselves. It gives the impression of the picture leaning to one side. (At least that is the idea! LOL)

The second set is using a randomly skewed grid. The example I chose was probably not the best candidate for this sample. I have seen very cool pictures done like this with faces. I will see if I can get DH to do a face sample for us!!

I am heading over to Home Depot today to get supplies to build a free standing Durer Grid. I will try to post pictures and directions tonight.

Using the Durer Grid

Here is an example for the first submission category for the Fall Festival of the Arts. I took the target image and drew a grid on top of it. I chose my line spacing to be 1/2 inch but you can choose whatever is appropriate for your picture. Something with lots of detail will need smaller line spacing than something with less detail.

Next I drew a grid on my drawing paper with larger line spacing. I chose 1 inch spacing for this. Again, you should chose spacing that is appropriate for your paper. You do not have to size your picture up. You can keep it the same size or make it smaller but don't forget the size limitations, 10 inch by 10 inch is as large as you can go.

One important thing to remember is that you MUST have the same number of squares across and down on both the target image and the drawing paper. I numbered the columns and rows but this is not necessary, albeit helpful.

The next step is simply to reproduce one square at a time. I start with the outline. Us the lines of the grid a reference points to reproduce your copy proportionally.

You can practice by playing around with simple shapes and simple line drawings until you get the feel for the technique.

For a fun twist on the theme you can skew the grid on your drawing paper to creat a morphed effect. A sample of that is coming up next...