Why You May Just Love Painting Upside Down

You should know upfront, that when l sketch, I sketch right side up, then turn the sketch upside down to paint and add all the details. When it’s time to paint upside down, I make sure my reference photo is also turned upside down. This method, may seem odd, but here’s why you may just love it!

1. You’ll get the colors right

Instead of getting lost in the details, painting upside down helps you focus on getting the colors right.

2. You’ll see what’s really there

You’ll see what’s there as opposed to what you think should be there. When we paint, sometimes we think, “That can’t be right, I don’t remember a rabbit looking like that!” However, when we paint upside down, we don’t question what we see, because we don’t really have a data base to pull from of what a rabbit should look like upside down, so we just draw what we really see. Without resistance, we start painting more accurately.

3. You’ll easily spot errors

You’ll spot drawing, proportion and value errors much more easily. You’ll find it easier to spot those “happy little accidents” while looking back and forth at your upside down reference photo, and your upside down painting.

4. You’ll stay more focused

Painting upside down can help increase your focus and concentration. Since you don’t have a data base of what things should look like upside down, you’ll stay more focused at every twist and turn of your painting. You’ll avoid painting in autopilot, since you don’t really know what a longhorn should look like upside down.

5. You’ll see simple shapes

You’ll focus on shapes, rather than subject matter. Getting the shapes and proportions right helps to refine your drawing and painting skills.

6. You’ll improve hand-eye coordination

I no longer poke my eye brushing my teeth, or miss a high five.

I hope you enjoy this tip! If you try this tip and would like me to check out your work, use the hashtag #PencilSharkUpsideDownMethod and tag me @pencilshark.