Art tools
Grid over photo
Load an image, overlay an adjustable grid, and draw it by squares. The picture never leaves your browser.
How it works
Drawing "by squares" is the oldest copying aid there is: divide a reference into a grid, divide your paper into the same grid, and draw what you see one cell at a time. This tool loads your image and overlays an adjustable grid on top of it, drawn on a canvas in your browser. You set how many columns and rows you want (or a fixed cell size), and you can change the line color and thickness so the grid stays visible over light or dark pictures.
When the grid looks right you download the gridded image as a PNG to print or keep on a second screen while you draw. Because the picture is decoded and drawn entirely on your device, nothing is uploaded - it works offline and your references stay private.
Example. Load a portrait reference, set an 8 by 8 grid with a thin red line, and download the result. Rule the same 8 by 8 grid lightly on your paper, then copy the reference square by square to keep the proportions right.
FAQ
How does drawing by squares help?
A grid breaks a complex image into small, simple cells. Copying one cell at a time keeps proportions and placement accurate, which is much easier than judging the whole drawing by eye.
Can I change the number of squares?
Yes. You choose the number of columns and rows, and you can adjust the grid line color and thickness so it stays readable over any image. The overlay updates live.
Can I save or print the gridded image?
Yes. The image and grid are combined on a canvas and exported as a PNG you can print or keep open while you draw on a separate grid you rule on your paper.
Is my image uploaded?
No. The picture is decoded and drawn locally in your browser on a canvas. Nothing is sent to a server, so it works offline and your references stay on your machine.