Drawing upside-down!
by Spramani Elaun
If you or your child are frustrated and having a hard time drawing a complex image, turn it upside-down.
You can trick your brain by drawing upside down!
This is an old trick taught in art schools to fine artist.
Our brain sends different messages to our visual system when we try to make sense of unfamiliar images.
When you turn an image upside it looks unrecognizable and your visual system will create a shape allusion to help your brain make sense of what you’re looking at.
When images are turned upside down we see line, shape, tones and light much clearer and more vivid.
We can’t recognize the difficult image upside down, so line shapes are easier to see and less distracting.
When we look at an image that is familiar our visual perception is pulling from our memory.
This can distract you and make you feel the image is too difficult to draw.
Turing images upside down can help you work only line drawings or contour forms.
You are more focused on the simple forms your brain is recognizing rather than the complex visual perception in your memory.
When images are upside down try to make out shapes and negative space.
Turn drawings upside down often while working to check yourself and see proportions easier.
Trick your brain!
To learn more about visual perception read my new book dedicated on how to how children learn visual arts.
I have a full chapter on defining visual perception.
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