The Drawing Exercise that Changed My Life

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This drawing exercise changed my life. It was the exercise that made me realize that drawing is a skill that can be learned - and anyone can do it. This exercise originates from the book, "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain", by Betty Edwards. This is a must read for anyone wanting to learn how to draw. The premise is based on our right brain and that our left brain needs to be subdued in order for our right brains to take over. To force this to happen, we simply flip our reference upside down and draw it this way.
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[ElixeoFlores]

When I was going to school to become a graphic artist I had to take a course based on the book "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain". I already considered myself an accomplished artist so I was a bit annoyed that I had to take the class since the description seemed fairly rudimentary. The first day of class we entered the room to find a number of still life scenes staged around the room. The instructor told us to select one and draw it. A number of people immediately panicked. What do you mean draw it? I don't know how to draw, that's why I'm here! The instructor persisted and eventually everyone did what they were told and at the end of the class the teacher collected the drawings and put them away without comment. As I looked at the drawings before they were collected I could see that I was one of two or three that seemed to have any talent. Fast forward to the final day of the course, we walk in and the same still life scenes that were in class that first day are there again. The teacher gives us the same instructions as the first day. At the end of class the drawings are collected and put up on the wall next to the first day drawings. The progress was staggering. Without exception, every single person in that class had improved their skill to the level that most friends and family members would be very impressed with their talent. I'm talking about people who came into class drawing stick figures and by the end had a firm grasp of perspective, texture and shading. At the beginning I would have argued that there wasn't a whole hell of a lot that I could gain from the class but I was truly humbled by the progress my own work had made by the end of the course. I suppose you could follow the book but if you can find a course based on the book, I highly recommend it!

[MyMiaArabella]

I bought that book “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain” in the 1980’s and I did every exercise in it, cover to cover. When I started I couldn’t draw a stick figure. By the time I was done, I was doing realistic portraits of my family. It’s an amazing book and you can actually FEEL the “switch” when the right brain takes over. I gave the book to my mother, and at the age of 60, she discovered she was a VERY talented artist.

[karlburris]

I read this book and followed every step in detail. I then practiced every day for 3 years separating the left brain from the right while un-learning 60 years of bad habits. I then took drawing lessons from 4 different teachers. Today I am proud to say I can almost draw a stick man.

[Katerina_Alexandra]

Ahhhh!! I learnt this exercise as a kid by accident. I wanted to draw something I saw in a book that someone else was using so it was upside down. That drawing turned out so much better than anything else I did so I did it more on purpose. It's quite fun and really helpful to this day when I struggle with proportions.

[chriskelly]

I'm 70 years old and have felt incomplete my whole life because of no art talent . You have given me my last desire. I thank you so very much.

[truepeace]

I’m a retired art teacher. When I taught this exercise to my middle schoolers, they were astonished how well their drawings turned out. It really does help you observe shapes and negative spaces that you wouldn’t otherwise “see.” Once they got familiar with this exercise, whenever they were drawing realistically and it just wasn’t looking right, they’d immediately turn the reference photo and their work upside down and could see what needed to be corrected! Great exercise!

[pixiemoon]

I remember doing an upside down drawing maybe decade ago. Good exercise and it does teach you to look at lines and shapes and angles etc. Whenever someone says they can’t draw eyes, I tell them, you’re not drawing an eye, you’re drawing lines and shapes that just so happen to end up looking like an eye. 😀

[vickil.]

Many years ago I was given the opportunity to teach art classes to 6th graders. I had zero training in this area, but I loved drawing! After finding the Betty Edwards book, I asked my students do this exercise. They were given the Picasso sketch in the book of the man sitting in a chair with hands folded. They had already had a few lessons using the grid method, but when I showed them this sketch some were excited while others looked horrified. Then, when I told them they would be drawing the man upside down, ALL of them looked horrified! Every drawing turned out great. The hands were the only exception because their left brains were screaming at them to “just do those hands we’ve always done since we were 5-years-old”! This exercise is amazing. Each and every student gained the confidence they needed to move forward. Ok, so there was this one student that misunderstood my instructions. He dutifully turned the reference handout upside down. However, he then proceeded to draw the man in an upright position! Now THAT IS AMAZING!

[cosmicshroom]

My year 9 art teacher said “Draw what you see, not what you think you see” … it has always stuck with me when I’ve started to struggle and overthink when drawing. I hear those words and regroup and then start again.

[rockfan]

When I first started drawing upside down, my friends thought I was doing it as a challenge lol. They didn’t realize that it actually made drawing more simple

[marysue]

I’m a retired art teacher too. I used the book “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain” while teaching high schoolers and it worked especially well when they were drawing portraits! ❤ I also taught them about the right and left sides of the brain.

[nimeryaspawnbrd]

my middle school art teacher introduced my class to this exercise back in 1992.
my all time favorite, and one of the first I pass on when someone asks me for drawing advices

[kirakira]

I've done this a few times before, and even though it feels weird at first, it does actually work. I also learned that drawing out of the comfort zone and drawing what you're not used to, boosts creativity and learning, and helps improvement. Always sharpen the skill, and do not worry about the mistakes!

[sentosaco]

I took a painting course during my graphic design education and "painting shapes not subjects" was the lesson that has resonated with me throughout my life.

[CKArts]

I clicked on this video and can’t believe you are talking about this book. This is the book that started me drawing decades ago. I think the book helped my brain learn to see objets in order to draw them. I wasn’t the same after using this book! Thank you!

[TheBobbyG]

This video changed my life a few months ago. I've embarked on the journey of drawling. Before this video I've never seen myself as an artist. I'm completely obsessed with it now. Thank you seriously

[cherylerome-beatty]

The best exercise i had in my life drawing class was the "blind contour" where you draw without looking at the paper and using only one line, not lifting your pen/pencil/etc from the paper. Definitely trained my eye to see the details of what i was drawing. I used it to teach my students and still use elements of it to draw.

[Lethalnightmarez]

This exercise was like a light in a dark room for me when I was a teen. From there I even proceeded to collaborations with my best friend on large sheets of paper. She would draw/paint right side up and I would work upside down to meet her in the middle. It was a wonderful way to learn together. I still use this technique to study new subjects or when I need to iron out recurring mistakes on an all too familiar subject.

[scottgraham]

I learned to draw this way in 4 grade and from than on art journey started. This really helped me become a better artist. It really kickstarted my art journey, I am 45 and still draw, but not as often as I would like, but still enjoy it when I do.

[Kirby-Bernard]

Holy cats that lesson COMPLETELY CHANGED THE GAME FOE ME! My lines dont look " grade school " anymore! It took exactly 5 minutes to feel the differemce. appreciative!