How To Make A Viewfinder For Drawing

Making an artist's viewfinder is quite easy. The viewfinder is an invaluable resource for artists in composing a picture for painting. It can be held in various ways to edit the view in front and help find compositions for painting.

Finding a Composition for Painting

Simply put, a viewfinder is a piece of card with a rectangular window cut in the middle. It works like a window in that it helps the artist find compositions for painting, whether this is landscape or portrait mode. All the artist has to do is look through. Making one requires a few simple objects and about half an hour.

The Artist's Viewfinder

The items required for making this useful device are:

Scissors
Rubber
Craft knife
HB pencil
Black thread
Ruler
Sticky tape
Cutting mat
Piece of card approximately 28 x 20cm (11 x 8 inches) in size

Carefully cut the card in half. This should result in two pieces measuring about 14 x 20cm (5.5 x 8inches)

Draw a cross onto both pieces of card using the pencil.

Resource for Artists

Cut a rectangular hole in the centre of each card. Both apertures should measure 6 x 7.5 cm (2.5 x 3inches) in size. An even pressure is required on the ruler during the cutting stage so that the card does not slip and create shards on the card.

Deposit a little of the sticky tape onto the halfway points of the top, bottom of each sides of the window. Stick the edges of the thread, which should be 24 cm (9.5inches) in length, over the window. Repeat this stage for the top and the bottom.

There should now be two pieces of cotton over the window forming a cross. Make sure the thread is tensioned but not so that it might break. More tape might be necessary to make sure the thread is stuck fast. Stick the Two pieces of card together.

Finding Subject Matter for Painting

Finding compositions with the viewfinder is simple. By closing one eye and looking through, a view will present itself. Holding it closely to the eye will widen the view; holding it further away will have the effect of zooming in. It can also be adjusted to portrait or landscape. Further, the view is divided into four sections, which serves as a drawing aid and helps establish the centre point of the composition.

Composing a Picture

Compositions from the most surprising sources can be found with effective use of the viewfinder. Aspects of landscapes , still life , flora and water can be used within a composition. Experimentation is the key.