A Drawing Tip - How to Draw From Memory

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Do you worry that you don't know how to draw from memory?
Do you struggle to just pick up a pencil and draw something, anything, without a picture to copy?
Don't worry, the majority of us have the same problem. Luckily, there is a simple drawing tip that you can implement to overcome this problem.

I thought about what I would do if I was put in the position to draw something on the spot. After some experimenting, I discovered how to draw from memory. There really is an easy solution.
All you need to do is to convert your drawing subject into common shapes.
As usual, I like to start with a simple example. Let's say you get asked how to draw a chick, here's what you do.
  1. Using the mental image of this fluffy little bird, think of its construction as a small circle for the head, and a larger circle for the body. With light strokes, draw the two circles, overlapping each other. The drawing is going to be the side view, which is the easiest way to do this. Depending on which way you prefer, the smaller circle for the head would sit on the top right or top left of the body circle.
  2. Using small strokes to represent feathers or fluff, connect the circles to create one shape. If you want to, you can erase the overlapping lines inside or between the two original circles. Keeping your image of a chick in mind, build on the body to attain the correct shape.
  3. Now let's add the wing by drawing a curve from the middle of the body to just outside the circle. Join the top of the wing to the body with some thoughtful strokes.
  4. Add the beak using a sideways "v". Put this halfway down the head circle.
  5. Draw the eye just in from the top of the beak.
  6. Add the legs. Remember, this is side-on so you only need to draw one leg and show a couple of toes from the other foot.
There you go, you have just drawn a little chick. That's one way how to draw from memory.
Check out these step by step examples on how to draw a chick and pick up some extra tips while you are there.

Of course, learning to draw from memory takes practice. Observe something that interests you and then five minutes later, try to draw your impression of that object. If you do this exercise daily, you will get a pleasant surprise at how easy you can do this.

If you are copying a picture, once you are finished, do a memory sketch of that object. Just as a musician has to practice playing an instrument daily, your dedication should be the same.
Author Kerry Godsall is the webmaster and hobby artist at http://www.allaboutdrawings.com where you will be introduced to the exciting hobby of pencil drawing. If you want to learn the simplest way to achieve good drawings, all you have to do is join the free newsletter.