Why is it that my sketches are subtley asymmetrical?

Question

Whenever I draw portraits, I go through the whole process of starting with simple shapes then adding detail, ect.

But no matter how hard I try, the left side of my figure is always verrrrry slightly different/better than the right side. I'm left handed and artistically O.C.D. (surprise, huh?), if that helps anything...

Has anyone else had this problem?

Answer 1

I think one way to do it is to use the lines that will guide you while you're drawing. I'm talking about those lines that artists use to draw anime/manga characters. I think other artists are using them, too. I used to have that same problem. Then I started using those lines and I don't have a problem with that anymore. Also try taking a 3-dimentional drawing class at your local community college. That helped me, too.

Answer 2

it's pretty common. if you were right handed you might end up having it happen to the right side. i know most people who are drawing even years after they start still do this same thing.

it really just takes a simple process of looking at your art as a whole every 5+ minutes to make sure you aren't doing this.

But before you get to that level of expertise, the easiest thing to do is turn you paper around while you are working and look at it from the reverse.  hold it up to the light so you can see it backwards.  you will instantly see what's wrong.

Answer 3

I'm a lefty, and I have had that problem before.  One of my

instructors suggested that I hold it up to a mirror, and sometimes turn it upside down and work on it that way.  It makes you see differently, and helps get rid of your notion of how it's "supposed to look", to how it actually looks.

hope that helps!

Answer 4

I've noticed when I sketch, my left side is always a little bit more downwards than the right (right handed). I'm not a real artist, but I like to doodle.

I think it has something to do with physics. Like, if you cover one eye, then walk, you go to the side that the covered eye is on.