Which is the ‘right’ way?

A little drawing exercise here, which is more for you to realise how we make assumptions about things subconsciously, rather than to make you better at drawing!

• Find a picture of something which you could copy.

• Find a pencil and paper (and a quiet moment!).

• Copy the picture. Try not to spend too long on the task. It doesn’t have to be too detailed.

• Then get another piece of paper. You’re going to copy the same picture again, but this time turn the picture upside down.

• While you’re doing this second version, try and notice if you are approaching the task any differently - is it easier or harder?

The point of this exercise is to illustrate how our brains jump to what they ‘think’ you know - you probably drew that teapot (for example) based on your knowledge of teapots! But when it is upside down, you’re just copying lines, shapes & shadows. Usually this gives a truer representation of what you can see.

Look at the two pictures you’ve drawn, both the ‘right way up’ - which is better? Is one more accurate and true to the original than the other?

Next time you’re looking at something, notice something different about it, and don’t let your brain jump to conclusions!