This project is an adaptation of the famous Upside Down Drawing developed by respected author, Betty Edwards, who authored, "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain". Drawing spatially is the key to drawing accurately. By turning the drawing upside down it helps us utilize our right brain hemisphere--the spatial/creative side.

The Process

First Phase:

A few modifications were added to the exercise to help further utilize our right brain mode. First, a grid was created over a 12"x18" format. Then, one at a time and randomly selected, single square sections of the upside down picture (A line drawing of Igor Stravinsky drawn by Pablo Picasso) were displayed on a screen via a projector. They had to copy what they saw. In the beginning, each square on their own appeared as abstract shapes, spaces, and lines. Students did not know what they were drawing until enough squares were completed and the image started to come together.

Second Phase: After the line draw was completed, students were instructed to create a variety of contrasting values.  This was a lesson within a lesson focusing on a shading technique.