Sight-Size

Helping You Draw With Confidence

What is Sight-Size?

Sight-Size is simply an arrangement of the artist, subject, and artwork that allows the artist to see their subject and artwork one-to-one.

You can see an example of Sight-Size being used at the top of the page (as well as in the images of the nose, below). Notice that the drawing and the plaster cast are positioned next to each other. When I wanted to look at my subject to compare it to my drawing I had to stand back about eight feet so that I could view both in unison.

Sight-Size is taught at ateliers and art schools around the world. Whether used for portraiture, still life, figure, or landscape painting, many of the world’s finest artists work in Sight-Size.

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The 3 Elements of Sight-Size

Element 1

SUBJECT ARTWORK

A Side-by-Side Arrangement

Element 2

A Consistent Vantage Point

Element 3

SUBJECT ARTWORK

Drawing What You See

The traditional path to learning how to draw what you see in Sight-Size begins with cast drawing, ideally while attending an atelier that is run by a competent teacher.

But you can learn Sight-Size on your own.

OPTION 1

Read the Cast Drawing in Sight-Size Book

Want to learn cast drawing in Sight-Size like atelier students do? Learn the complete approach to Sight-Size cast drawing in your own home with the book Cast Drawing in Sight-Size: An Atelier Manual.

In the book Cast Drawing in Sight-Size, Darren teaches you cast drawing in the way many atelier students are taught. This book explains the complete process of drawing casts in Sight-Size, using three different casts.

Perfect for: Anyone who wants to learn Sight-Size cast drawing with limited expense, and for those who want to supplement their atelier training.

Learn more here.

OPTION 2

Watch the Cast Drawing in Sight-Size Videos

Want to be shown how to draw casts instead of just reading about it? Learn all about cast drawing in Sight-Size through text and video with the Cast Drawing in Sight-Size video course. On-demand streaming, or download to watch.

In the Cast Drawing in Sight-Size video course, Darren shows you every step involved in drawing plaster casts from life. Included with this video is the PDF eBook version of the Cast Drawing in Sight-Size: An Atelier Manual.

Perfect for: Anyone who cannot attend an atelier but wants the same instruction in written and visual form.

Learn more here.

Who Am I?

Hi! My name is Darren R. Rousar. I am an artist, teacher, and the author of numerous books about Sight-Size (as well as others about Memory Drawing). I have been helping aspiring artists like you learn how to confidently draw what they see for well over 30 years.

You can learn more about me here, more about Sight-Size here, and get answers to your questions over here.

What Students Say

Darren Rousar is one of those rare teachers, formed from the studio tradition, who understands the how and why, and can explain it and do it.

- D. Pwersp

Basically you’re saving me time, money, stress and gives me a lot of "inside knowledge" that for the most part, only the teachers have.

- R. van Bruggen

I have learned some tremendously valuable lessons that are already helping my drawing and painting. And, most importantly, training my eye to see more accurately!

- R. Levin

Darren Rousar provides helpful tips that only an active, involved teacher can provide. It’s clear he has worked with students who tackle the problems he addresses when learning to see values and shapes correctly. Each problem is addressed with a solution, helpful tips and encouraging advice.

- A. Champlin

Want to Learn More?

Articles

There are over 100 articles on this site. You can explore all of them through the links here.

LEARNING PATHS

Curated collections of all the articles on the site, organized in Learning Paths.

About

An explanation of the Elements of Sight-Size is on this page here. The Questions page
is here.

Store

Books about Sight-Size, Memory Drawing, and educating your eye are available here.

Sight-Size helps you confidently draw whatever you see because it assures accurate sight.