The Sight Size Method of Painting
Still life arranged for sight size method in Melody Phaneuf's studio. The painting table on right shows the proper distance from the arrangement and easel for the Artist to stand.
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Attempting to paint the visual impression from nature is akin to putting together a puzzle. It’s much easier when you have an image of the whole.
Whether it’s a portrait, landscape, or still life, I stand way back from what I’m painting in order to picture the entire composition. Being far-sighted, this seems natural to me, but I was also trained to do this as an atelier student.
The method, called sight-size, requires that the artist stand back at least three times the distance of the diagonal measurement of the picture plane. From there one measures the tops, bottoms and key points of objects, using a level. A plumb line was used as a guide to locate points on a vertical axis. For angles, a folding carpenter’s ruler was the tool. Relative widths are judged by using thumbs on a ruler to mark edges of objects, then finding those points on the paper or canvas from the same distance.
To try this method, set up as follows. I would suggest trying first in charcoal on paper, since it is easy to erase and eliminates color. Here’s what to have~
Charcoal & charcoal paper, kneaded eraser, masking tape, a level, ruler, and plumb line (you can make one with cotton twine and something tied to the bottom for weight). Mark the exact spot you will stand on the floor with masking tape.
Set up an arrangement and place the easel parallel with it. Locate yourself, your painting table, and tools at the appropriate distance. For example, a 20 x 24 inch canvas has a diagonal measurement of 31 inches. This means that one should be standing at least 93 inches, or close to 8 feet away. More won’t hurt. Mark your exact spot on the floor with masking tape.
Hold the level even with top of the highest object, so that it also spans your paper. Keep an eye on that position as you walk toward the paper to make the horizontal line marking this placement. Go back to your tape mark and check the guideline, adjust it up or down as necessary. Continue with this until you have marked the horizontal lines on your paper. Choose a key vertical aspect of your arrangement and mark it on your paper. I usually start with what’s furthest left and move from there. Use the plumb line to check whether you’ve placed points correctly. Judge everything from the tape mark on the floor.
Widths of objects and the spaces between them can be determined with a ruler. Extend your arms fully forward from the shoulders. Hold the ruler between your hands and use your thumbs to mark the width you’re measuring. Without stepping from the tape or moving your hands, move your arms slightly from the shoulder and focus on where these points are on the paper. Walk forward and mark them. Again, return to the floor mark and check.
When you feel you have enough mapping information to draw the objects, do so freehand. Keep walking back & forth to check your outlines. Start filling in the values so that you can really judge the interlocking shapes. From the correct distance, adjustments needed are easily seen immediately.
This method can be time consuming. In the beginning, it is easy to spent 10 hours on a drawing, depending on the size. Each time you go through the process the drawing goes a little quicker and soon you can capture anything you see with complete accuracy.
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Boston Artist, Melody Phaneuf is well known for her evocative still life, landscape, and portrait paintings. Her paintings are regularly on view at The Guild of Boston Artists, 162 Newbury Street; at Fenway Studios, Boston by appointment; and North Shore Art in Gloucester from May through October. Phaneuf ‘s paintings have been exhibited at The National Arts Club in New York City, Galerie Herouet in Paris, and with Art du Monde, in Japan.
Melody The Artist Home, founded with photographer and color specialist, Martha DiMeo, features Phaneuf’s original oil paintings on tumbled marble tile murals and beverage coasters, fine art prints, and handmade note cards.
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