Whether you're completely new to drawing or just looking to build confidence, a few simple tricks can make a big difference in how you see and improve your work. Here are five of my favourite beginner-friendly tips that I use myself and often recommend to my students:

1. Turn Your Picture Upside Down

This might sound odd, but flipping your drawing upside down helps your brain stop "labelling" objects (like saying "that’s a nose") and instead focus on the actual shapes and lines in front of you. You'll spot wonky angles and proportions much more easily this way.

2. Use a Mirror

Looking at your work in a mirror is another great way to see it with fresh eyes. Like turning it upside down, a mirrored view helps you spot things you might have missed, especially with symmetry or alignment. It’s a classic artist trick – and it works!

3. Take a Photo – Then Make It Black and White

Tone (light and dark) is just as important as line. Try snapping a quick photo of your drawing or painting, and convert it to black and white. This strips out the colour and helps you clearly see if your values are working. Are your darks dark enough? Do your lights stand out?

4. Squint at Your Work

It might sound silly, but gently squinting at your picture helps blur the details and lets you see the overall balance of tones and shapes. This is a fantastic way to check your composition or spot areas that need more contrast.

5. Take Breaks and Step Back

When you're deep in a drawing, it's easy to lose perspective. Literally! Stepping back – or even walking away for a bit – helps refresh your eye. When you return, you’ll see things more clearly and know what to adjust. It’s one of the simplest ways to improve your results without adding a single line.

These are all quick, low-tech tricks – but incredibly effective. Give one or two a try next time you're working on something and see what a difference it makes!

And if you're new to drawing or painting and want to build your skills from the ground up, I'm currently recording a brand new beginner art series that will be launching very soon on the website.

✨ I also have a free drawing lesson on the website that gives you a simple little exercise in drawing a vase — perfect for trying out these tips! Click here to take the lesson – you only need a pencil and paper.

Happy drawing!— Joan