Upside Down Drawing

Familiar things do not look the same when they are upside down. We automatically assign a top, bottom and sides to an object and we expect to see it oriented in the usual way. We also name and categorize parts, even if we do it subconsciously.

When an image is upside down, the visual clues do not match the memory clues. Our brains become confused and we have trouble naming objects. Drawing upside down helps to turn off the “naming” and start drawing exactly the shapes you see.

Often when a drawing looks wrong it I because we added things we know to be true but do not actually see.

Copy Picasso’s drawing of Igor Stravinsky on another paper by only looking at it upside down. Don’t cheat by turning your paper around before you are done. Work on copying the shapes and how the lines come together without naming things. When you turn your drawing right side up it is hopefully a very accurate copy.