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Learn to draw a racket by constructing an oval head, a consistent string grid, and a proportional grip using simple measured steps and a clear convention.
This lesson teaches a reliable way to draw a racket: an oval head, a string grid, and a grip. You will use a defined convention so that your drawing can be checked and compared, while still allowing valid stylistic variation. The method relies on simple geometry and consistent units, not on special tools. All measurements are hypothetical examples; measure your own paper and tools if you adapt them. The goal is a clear, recognizable racket with a balanced head, evenly spaced strings, and a grip that connects naturally to the head.
Practice materials: Printable downloads are not available for this lesson yet. Use the instructions and four exercises below.
Use the stated measurements and conventions for each exercise.
Use a convention: the head is an ellipse whose width is about two-thirds of its height. The grip is a narrow rectangle whose length is roughly equal to the head height, and its width is about one-fifth of the head width. These ratios are hypothetical examples; you may adjust them, but keep them consistent within one drawing.
Place the head so its center is above the grip. The grip attaches at the bottom of the head, centered on the vertical axis. Draw lightly first, then darken the final lines.
The string grid is a set of evenly spaced lines inside the head. Use a spacing that divides the head width and height into equal parts. For example, if the head width is 60 mm, a spacing of 10 mm gives six intervals; if the head height is 90 mm, the same 10 mm spacing gives nine intervals. These numbers are hypothetical; choose a spacing that fits your drawing.
Draw the vertical strings first, then the horizontal strings. Keep the lines inside the ellipse and stop them at the inner edge. The grid should look even, not crowded.
The grip should look like a handle, not a stick. Add a subtle taper: slightly narrower at the bottom. A center line helps keep it straight. Check that the grip is centered under the head and that the head ellipse is not lopsided.
Use a simple check: measure the head width at its widest point and the grip width at its top. The grip width should be about one-fifth of the head width. If it is far off, adjust lightly before darkening.
Draw a racket with a head height of 90 mm and a head width of 60 mm. Use a string spacing of 10 mm. The grip length is 90 mm and the grip width is 12 mm. Describe the construction and the final check.
Draw a vertical center line. Mark 90 mm for head height and 60 mm for head width, centered on the line. Sketch the ellipse through these marks. For strings, 60 mm width with 10 mm spacing gives six intervals; 90 mm height with 10 mm spacing gives nine intervals. Draw vertical strings at the width marks and horizontal strings at the height marks, stopping at the ellipse. Below the head, mark 90 mm for grip length and 12 mm for grip width, centered on the line. Draw the grip with a slight taper. Check: grip width 12 mm is one-fifth of head width 60 mm; head width is two-thirds of head height 90 mm. The grid has even 10 mm spacing in both directions.
A racket head is 80 mm high and 50 mm wide. What is the ratio of width to height, and is it close to the convention of two-thirds?
The ratio is 50/80 = 0.625, which is close to two-thirds (about 0.667).
Why: Divide width by height to compare with the convention. 50 divided by 80 equals 0.625.
Check: Multiply the height by two-thirds: 80 × 2/3 ≈ 53.3 mm. The given width 50 mm is within about 3 mm, so it is close.
A head is 72 mm wide. Using the convention, what should the grip width be? Show the arithmetic.
The grip width should be about 14.4 mm, since 72 ÷ 5 = 14.4.
Why: The convention sets grip width to one-fifth of head width. Divide 72 by 5.
Check: Multiply the grip width by 5: 14.4 × 5 = 72 mm, which matches the head width.
A head is 60 mm wide and 90 mm high. You want string spacing of 10 mm. How many intervals across the width and height, and how many vertical and horizontal strings if you draw one line at each interior mark?
Width: 60 ÷ 10 = 6 intervals. Height: 90 ÷ 10 = 9 intervals. Interior marks: 5 vertical strings and 8 horizontal strings.
Why: Intervals equal the dimension divided by spacing. Interior lines are one fewer than intervals because the edges are not drawn as strings.
Check: Add the strings to the two edges: 5 + 2 = 7 vertical positions, which matches 6 intervals plus one; 8 + 2 = 10 horizontal positions, which matches 9 intervals plus one.
A drawing has a head 100 mm high and 70 mm wide, and a grip 20 mm wide. Check the two convention ratios and state whether each is acceptable within 5 mm.
Head width convention: two-thirds of 100 mm is about 66.7 mm; the drawing’s 70 mm differs by about 3.3 mm, so it is acceptable. Grip width convention: one-fifth of 70 mm is 14 mm; the drawing’s 20 mm differs by 6 mm, so it is not acceptable within 5 mm.
Why: Compute each convention value, then subtract the drawing value to find the difference.
Check: For the head: 100 × 2/3 ≈ 66.7; 70 − 66.7 = 3.3. For the grip: 70 ÷ 5 = 14; 20 − 14 = 6.
A ruler helps with even spacing, but you can use a folded paper strip as a simple measuring guide.
The convention here uses vertical and horizontal strings. Diagonal strings would change the check method, so keep them vertical and horizontal for this lesson.
Choose a spacing that divides the head evenly. The number depends on your head size; even spacing matters more than a specific count.
Check that the width and height marks are correct and that the center line is straight. Lighten the line and redraw the ellipse through the marks.