The BEST ART TOOL You Didn't Know YOU NEED (and how to use it)
This tool can change your art! It can act as a calculator to help you "check" your work, function as an angle checker, and can also help teach you how to draw. It's one of my most prized art tools and is an important part of EVERY art kit I have ever had.
If you'd like to purchase one of your own, the best place to find them is in art stores that have architectural sections. They are called many things, including an academic divider, an architectural divider, a divider, a plain divider and an adjustable drawing tool. Some current brands that make them are Staedtler, Alvin, Jakar, and ECobra. I recommend doing a google search to see where you can find one in your corner of the world.
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Chapters:
00:00:00 The Best Art Tool I Own
00:08:29 Features & Where to Get It
02:08:19 How it Helps find Measurements
04:12:18 How it Teaches You to Draw
04:28:16 Measuring Items in a Cityscape
05:12:07 Drawing Symmetrical Objects
07:57:18 How It Improves Portraiture
11:25:00 How to Check Angles
12:49:05 Demonstration
16:35:29 Final Thoughts
Yes, a video on the proportional divider please. Love your videos. Have learned so much. Thank you.
I’ll get on it! 😊
I have a proportional divider, but I never thought to use it for checking angles. Great advice thanks.
excellent. I always wondered what that tool was for. and as someone who struggles with proportions, this may be just the thing I need. thanks so much.
Oh my goodness, I am a retired cardiology physiologist and I have a set of callipers I would use when measuring for various electrical issues in a patient’s heart on the ECG!!!! This is great now I will use them for art!!! Fabulous, thank you so much!!!!
How awesome that you can repurpose a useful tool from your former career. 😊
@@LeslieStroz Truly is!! I can’t wait to start! 😃
I have one, too, from RN days.
Yes, a video on proportional divider please
Thank you! This is exactly what I needed, because I struggle with angles on buildings, etc.
It’s really great for checking angles!
Same the roof are my nightmares 😊
love your voice and clear way of speaking. I prefer the proportional divider as it allows for making things larger or smaller as well as same size but can see how handy and portable the little one is.
I've been using dividers since the mid 80s. I was introduced to them in drafting class in high school. It is a tool which is in all drafting kits. This was a time when blueprints were still done by hand before computer aided drafting was introduced. We were taught to use them in different but similar ways to the ones shown in this video. They are usefulful for geometric construction, drawing polygons, bisecting angles, transferring measurements as well as the use it was named for which is dividing lines into equal segments. Proportional dividers are used to scale measurements up or down in drawings. I adapted dividers to art in many of the same ways as in the video. I also have a few other drafting items I use for drawing such as circle templates, French curves, drafting triangles, and flexible rulers, among other things. One big trick I developed is using a compass (used for drawing circles) as dividers. just replace the lead with another metal point and you have a set of dividers which can be adjusted very accurately and you never have to worry about accidentally changing the measurement. It's also helpful having several pairs of dividers or compasses so you can set different ones to different measurements to repeatedly use throughout the drawing without having to reset them or worry about absentmindedly using the wrong measurement.
Thanks
Wow!! Sounds like you need to make a video about all that for us! 😊 I WISH my art classes had covered all of those things, but I learned it the harder, longer way.
I have one in my tool box, but I never used it. Now I know what it is for. Thank you for such a great video. Also, thank you for not having music during your instruction. I love it!
A lifetime mystery solved! 😊 thank you so much
So much useful information! I've saved this video for references. Thank you recognizing people might need this ❤
I have a small divider from my school days, which I never used then. But over the past few years, I have started using this tool to check proportions, and this is one of my favourite and most helpful tool.
Yes! It’s an incredibly helpful little assistant. 😊
I was given a divider years (decades) ago and finally know how to use it. Wonderful because I struggle with proportion. Thank you. I'll start working with it!!
Most dividers were used to plot coordinates on a map by captains on sailing ships, haven’t you seen old films about sailing ships where the captain is filmed in his cabin looking at a map and using dividing tools.
Yes, I do know that. 😊 Most of the nautical ones are slightly different though. I think there are many uses for them on many different fields (art, architecture, nautical, medical, etc).
This was so helpful... I had forgotten so much. I still have my two from college also. My art instructor thought it was important too. I only remembered a few days ago and rummaged through my old art supplies. I suppose life just got in the way of something I really enjoyed? Not feeling well and just rambling.
Oh no, I hope you’re feeling better soon! I think we all let hobbies slip away when life gets busy. But they are so much fun to return to. 😊
The best tutorial on proportions I've seen so far. Thanks.
Ha! Just added my EKG calipers to my watercolor travel set! I am a critical care nurse, but haven’t used them in quite some time. Now I have a new found use for them and I’m totally excited! Thank you for this great hack. Love your videos, you now have a new subscriber ❤ Cheers, Eric
Eye-opening! I’ve never seen one of these demonstrated before.
I packed one of these around for 5 years and ended up giving it away because I didn't know why I had to have it at school. Now it seems I could actually use it after 43 years😅 Thank you.
It's great you showed many ways to use the divider. I use it to find my centers. Keeping perspective and proportion is critical, otherwise you begin to exaggerate what you draw. Thanks for the tips. 😊
Oh please a video on the proportional divider would be so helpful!
This has been the most helpful video!! Thank you for posting. I’m ordering that tool now.
I’m so glad it helped! It’s my secret weapon for teaching drawing. 😊
This was so informative! The divider was a required tool in a design class I took in art school in 1975 but was never used! Thank you for such an informative tutorial❣️
Thank a lot for this demonstration,, your voice is calm, instructive and its cool
This was so helpful, thank you, Leslie! I would love to see a video on the proportional divider as well!
Amazing tutorial for me as a beginner. I look forward to learning more from you. TFS. 😊
Hello and good evening. Please make a video about the proportional divider.😊
This is a great tutorial on how to use the divider. This is my go-to AND I must express to you how I appreciated how YOU use it. I was not using my divider to its fullest potential. Thankyou.😉
You’re so welcome! I’m glad I could introduce some extra features for you. 😊
Thank you very much ! Very helpful, particularly for the angles for me. And yes for a video on proportional divider. Thank you thank you
I ever thought about using this for angles. And yes, please make a video on the proportional divider, I’m lost on what exactly that adjustable “button” in the middle actually does, I can’t seem to see any writing or number8ng to indicate scale multiples? 🤷🏼♀️
Some of them are so fiddly and cheaply made that they are more ceremonial than useful! I’ll make a video about them soon. 😊
That is absolutely genius. And apparently I have to get three of those. One to keep track on proportions in the original, another one to do the same for the drawing that is not scaled <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="61">1:1</a> to the original, and the third for the angles.
A great instructor you are. Thank you!Blessings 🙏🏾♥️
Omg i did not know this ! Definitely will be getting one of these! Thanks for this information ❤
I love the idea of using dividers to improve your drawing techniques. Thank you!
You’re welcome! 😊
I have a nice simple brass pair which was part of a drafting set my dad bought about 100 years ago. I have used them occasionally to check proportions but I always felt it was cheating! Mad. I never thought about using them for checking angles but I did bolt a couple of small steel rulers together to perform the same task, but again I thought I was cheating and would just hold my pencil up. I hope this tutorial has convinced that part of me that it isn’t cheating andI should start using them regularly.
Thanks for the very informative video. I like you was encouraged to buy one in an art class, but it was never included in the lessons, so now you have reminded me I have it. And I can now justify buying it... Yes I would also like to see how the larger black tool works, as I also have one of those ( never used) Thanks again. I have now subscribed to your channel 👍
Proportional divider video, yes please
Thanks for this video! I’ve been waiting to see this explained.
My pleasure! I’m glad it helped. 😊
So mindblowingly simple. I have one of these but never knew what I ment to do with it. Only cept it because it belonget to my grandfather. Why did i never get that idea myself? this is briliant. Thank you so much for this video! 😍
I’m happy to help! I’m glad you can now use yours. 😊
Wow.. very didactive..thankyou. And yes.. proportional divider please!
If you need a cheap one you can get one for under $7 in some "geometry sets" in Canada Like the: "Oxford Set of Mathematical Instruments" (the one I always had as a kid!) Great video thanks! :D
Or get an ECG Caliper… they are really affordable! 😊
Very useful tool and info on how to use it. thanks and yes to showing us how to use the other tool you showed in the beginning of the video.
Will do! 😊
Makes so so Much sense Thank You
Great information! My drawings sometimes seem a little off once finished. I use the pencil/finger method but as you’ve said, once you move your finger, you’ve lost the measurement. Love the angles trick. I think I have one of my dad’s that will be handy for my drawing class.
That’s perfect! It’s always nice to have inherited art supplies. 😊
That is a very helpful tool. Thank you.
I enjoyed your video of all your pastels. I watched your studio tour and have saved CD drawers for my art supplies. It’s a good idea. I also have the Derwent Artbars and haven’t used them. I would be interested to see you use them. My favorite pastels are the soft ones. I have a Schmincke set and tried a few good sets from Dakota Art Supplies. I also have tried the Mungyo Artists Oil Pastels and they are very soft & creamy.
Thanks for showing me a use for those calipers I used in nursing school and haven’t used since 😂😂😂😂 great video as always! ❤ from Indy!
I only just learned it’s the same tool. How great that you don’t have found a new use for it! 😅
I love this Leslie x thank u for your teaching, this will b so helpful in future drawings. love Alli XXX
You’re so welcome! Best of luck with your drawing. 😊
Thank u thank u this was great. I have several but for the life of me I just couldn't get it. As for that other tool would love a video on it also. 😊
Thank you - I ordered a caliper after watching - of course this is much easier & more accurate than using my pencil & my thumbnail!
I hope you like it! 😊
Seems like a lot of math, adjustment, guesswork, and back and forthing to do when a proportional divider will do all of that work for you on the fly.
Very helpful. Thanks!
Very informative. I have a couple sets of the but never equated them to fine art. Thank you for some great insight again.
My pleasure! It’s amazing how many different uses across different fields it has. 😊
@@LeslieStroz 👍
YOU ARE SO TALENTED GOD BLESS.
You are very kind!
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. I’m excited to try this tool! Drawing doesn’t come easy but I refuse to give up! 😊 Random question…what iPad case do you use? I like the way it holds your pen.
This is so good, what a fantastic little hack ☺☺
Plz make a tutorial for making a view finder ❤. And do you use the same view finder for larger scaled drawings ?
I have some short videos showing how to use it but I can do a more in depth one. 😊
Hello if you check on her videos she explains how to make one from cardboard if I remember well 😉
@@-MEL16-A.O.C Oh I need that one itself. But I am not able to find it. 🥲 Can you plz link it ?
@@raginisinghify kzhead.info3cEthBH40MI?si=BrrtumrzIic4JVrJ
@@raginisinghify that this one 😉 Enjoy 😊
Harold Speed made me realize how to be accurate if needed.
Thank you. Very useful.
So helpful. Thank you for this video. It is this video that made me want to subscribe to your channel.
Hello . This is very useful and easy to use. Thank you for sharing !
You’re welcome! 😊
Darn... first of all I love all your inventive techniques.. but when I saw this....gee whiz!! .I have one of these still in a box from 20 yrs ago but had a completely different guess what it was for! Don't feel so bad now. Lol. But it is officially out of the box & in use for its intended purposes .. especially knowing now it holds the measure for complimentary sides to a vase. Etc. JUST AS I WAS CLEANING OUT MY ART SUPPLY CABINET.. YOU ROCK..Artist..Teacher. now ESP. LOVE IT
I’m thrilled to help save your divider from the dust heap! 😊
Pairs of dividers and how to use them... I have many pairs and use at least one of them daily 😁 They compose the Masonic symbol with a set square because both are essential to designers, draftsmen, architects etc Thanks for sharing your cogent artistic demonstration
So true!! 😊
Looks like one of my knitting needles 😊
Yes I noticed son. Ha
Dpn
excellent tips!
That was helpful and I’m planning on buying one of those.
You won’t be disappointed. 😊
Yes I would be happy if you make a video on how it works !
Will do! 😊
Hello from Japan! I enjoyed your very useful and well demonstrated video. One question, have you ever drawn aircraft? Which is one of my interests.
To me, it's a navigation divider. I used to use it on nautical charts.
Wouldn't Art calipers or marine calipers be a better option, you can use the small end to do the measurements and large side to transfer to the new canvas
The most important and only art tool i ever need! 😆😅😅 Ähem ... for the big "scale divider" paul clark did a very good video. It is his portrait tutorial. Maybe you wanna see it. And thanks for the good informations in this video. Titel is a little clickbait.
Genius.
Thank you 👍👍👍
Oh might I ask what kind of pencil you are using please? Thank you so much.
Greetings! Well; I'll transform my compass in the meantime. I'll go and get it when possible. I saw a pretty similar ones made of wood. Steel is better. By the way; my compass has no points. So I'll use needles for leather. Just for a fortnight. Blessings!
Hello Leslie I use a pencil to check the sizes and proportions 😏😉 but thank you so much I've ever seen it but never dare to ask what was the purpose !!! 🤷♀️🤦♀️ I'm pretty sure that I need one 😁 Have a nice sunday afternoon bises
They are nice to have, but yes, a pencil or some other straight implement can also help find angles. 😊
I actually use for those purposes my compass that lasted me from primary school days 😂
Fantastic video. I have liked and sub’d
Thank you
It’s a mapping tool. It was used in the British Royal Navy
It seems to my eye that the student portrait has produced a face that's longer while the photo is squarer. How would you help your student correct that?
thank you :-)
Yes please proportional divider
A useful information
That was an excellent tutorial. I feel more confident already. Thanks for sharing 🙂
I found that art school really didn't teach any fundamentals and techniques for the most part. Few profs offered helpful advice. Just seemed to assume we already knew all that information. Having had only three art classes my senior year of high school I really was flying by the seat of my bellbottoms. Had I known, I think I would have changed my major but I really wanted a hands-on art academic experience.
Sounds like sooo many of our experiences studying art! When I taught at university I was judged by some of my colleagues for teaching skills to my students. But I’ve always felt that knowledge is power and students can do better work if they know what they’re doing.
Can we also use a normal school divider, the small one, also ?
I’m not sure what that is… does it look like this?
@@LeslieStroz Yeah the small non-flexible one
@@raginisinghifythen yes 😊
I think it's called compasses.
a protractor
I made my own devices(s).
If you’re going to have something (divider) in your off hand anyway, why wouldn’t you use a proportional divider? It can do all the same things as the regular divider, but so much easier and more accurately. It measures everything directly so you don’t have to worry about picking a unit measurement and estimating the leftovers”. And of course you can still use it to train your eyes by measuring after you have put something on the paper
You can use the proportional dividers to do all of this to a certain degree, but the tips are very blunt and unless you have an expensive one they aren’t as accurate. Most of them also don’t hold the position (you have to hold it to keep it from slipping). For more precise measurements I would definitely recommend a divider. 😊
@@LeslieStroz i have an excellent pair of proportional dividers (Alvin) so accuracy w/ sharp tips & holding a setting are a given. I find, as with most art supplies, that it’s well worth the price for a good set. I’m not rich enough to buy cheap stuff!
It's called a divider
Yes, but when you Google search that it’s hard to find them. The one I most recently bought called it a “plain divider.”
I've been using it for a long time, but somewhat shamefully. It always seemed to me that using such tools showed my lack of skills.
Nope! It's another drawing tool.
First
I appreciate your video, however, your drawing of the jar was off. The bottom curve was way deeper than you drew and the lip at the top was almost straight. For a video that is teaching proportional drawing, the sketches should be as close to identical as you can get. Sorry
Such a shame you can’t appreciate what someone is showing you without finding fault. Leslie was doing a rough sketch to show how you can use the divider and she was really thorough in showing the use of this simple tool for drawing. If you want perfection, then perhaps you should have a channel showing how perfectly everything should be done. Just a suggestion of course.
She also did clearly state that she is drawing from real life not from the photo, causing the angle to be slightly different.
Very helpful. Thank you so much.
Glad it was helpful! 😊