Draw something upside down
Draw an object or scene upside down to train observation and hand eye coordination, then flip the paper to compare accuracy and improve drawing skills.
Step-by-step guide to draw something upside down
Step 1
Place your blank paper and pencil on the table in front of you.
Step 2
Choose a simple picture or small object you want to draw.
Step 3
Turn that reference picture or object upside down so it looks flipped.
Step 4
Tape the upside-down reference to the table or clip it so it does not move.
Step 5
Look only at the upside-down reference and notice the basic shapes and lines you see.
Step 6
Lightly draw the biggest shapes you see onto your paper using simple lines.
Step 7
Draw the medium shapes that connect the big shapes you already placed.
Step 8
Add the small details you observe in the upside-down reference.
Step 9
Gently erase or adjust any lines that look wrong.
Step 10
Flip your drawing paper right-side-up to reveal the image.
Step 11
Compare your drawing to the original right-side-up reference and spot the differences.
Step 12
Add color and any finishing touches you want.
Step 13
Share your finished creation on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can I use if I don't have tape, a clip, or blank paper for this upside-down drawing activity?
If you don't have tape or a clip to secure the upside-down reference, weight it down with a heavy book or paperweight, and if you lack blank paper or a pencil use a sketchbook page and a crayon or pen (noting pens can't be erased) or display a photo of the object upside-down on a phone or tablet.
I'm accidentally drawing what I think the object looks like instead of copying the upside-down reference—how do I fix that?
Cover your drawing with a scrap of paper or a sticky note so you can 'look only at the upside-down reference' as instructed in step 5, draw the biggest shapes lightly first in step 6, and then reveal and adjust lines during step 8.
How can I modify this activity for a 4-year-old versus a 10-year-old?
For a 4-year-old use larger paper, thick crayons, and have them focus only on copying the biggest shapes from the taped upside-down reference while an adult holds it, whereas a 10-year-old can use finer pencils, add medium and small shapes in steps 7–8, and practice shading or detailed color in step 11.
What are simple ways to extend or personalize the finished drawing after comparing it to the original?
Extend the activity by creating a mini gallery of different upside-down objects, timing yourself to improve observation, experimenting with mixed media when you 'Add color and any finishing touches', and writing a short caption before you 'Share your finished creation on DIY.org'.
Watch videos on how to draw something upside down
30-Day Drawing Challenge | Day 13: Drawing Upside Down
4 Videos
30-Day Drawing Challenge | Day 13: Drawing Upside Down
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Facts about drawing and hand-eye coordination
✍️ Artists and teachers use this short exercise to boost observational accuracy — many students notice improvement after just one try.
🎨 Betty Edwards popularized the upside-down drawing exercise in her book 'Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain' to help artists see shapes instead of labels.
👀 Drawing upside down helps you spot negative spaces, angles, and tiny edge details that make drawings look realistic.
🔁 Flipping the paper at the end is a fun reveal — kids are often surprised how much more accurate the right-side-up version looks.
🧠 Upside-down drawing tricks your brain by quieting word-based thinking, so you rely more on visual perception instead of what you think an object 'should' look like.
How do you do the upside-down drawing activity?
What materials do I need for upside-down drawing?
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