✨ One of the many tools we use in our art classes to help students build confidence and improve their drawing skills is symmetry. Whether you're drawing a butterfly, a face, or a vase, symmetry can be a powerful guide for learning how to see proportions and shapes more clearly.
What Is Symmetry in Art? Symmetry means that one side of an object mirrors the other. In art, we often use bilateral symmetry, where the left and right sides match. Think of a face: two eyes, a nose in the middle, and a mouth that sits evenly underneath. Nature gives us symmetry all the time—leaves, animals, and even many human-made objects.
Why Use Symmetry in Drawing? For students learning to draw, symmetry helps break down what might feel like a complicated image into manageable parts. When you only have to focus on one half, it becomes easier to study the shapes and details without feeling overwhelmed.
Our Favorite Trick: Drawing the Other Half
✨ Our Favorite Trick: Drawing the Other Half A common exercise we do with our students is giving them a drawing with only half of the image completed—like half a face, half a butterfly, or half of a shoe. The student then draws the other half, using the completed side as a guide.
Here’s how this helps: ● It trains your eye to notice proportion and placement.
● It builds confidence because you're not starting from scratch.
● It encourages observation, one of the most important skills in drawing.
A Real Example We recently had a student work on a half-face portrait. At first, it looked tricky—but by observing how the eye lined up with the ear, or how the mouth curved below the nose, they were able to complete the face with impressive accuracy. It’s amazing how quickly students learn when they can see a clear reference.
Try It at Home You can do a simple version of this exercise at home. Take a photo of a symmetrical object, print it out, fold it in half, and trace or draw the missing side. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect—every time you try, you’re training your brain and hand to work together.
At ART+Academy, we use tools like symmetry to help students progress step by step, always with caring guidance and expert feedback. With time, what once seemed difficult becomes second nature—and that’s when the real creativity begins.
Portrait projects directed by Ms. Monica J.
A young student creates an abstract pastel artwork by drawing over half of a printed photo of their own face during Art Class in South Austin. The messy yet expressive style reflects a blend of self-exploration, creativity, and bold mark-making — encouraging students to use art as a personal and imaginative outlet.
A young student creates an abstract pastel artwork by drawing over half of a printed photo of their own face during Art Class in South Austin. The messy yet expressive style reflects a blend of self-exploration, creativity, and bold mark-making — encouraging students to use art as a personal and imaginative outlet.
A young student creates an abstract pastel artwork by drawing over half of a printed photo of their own face during Art Class in South Austin. The messy yet expressive style reflects a blend of self-exploration, creativity, and bold mark-making — encouraging students to use art as a personal and imaginative outlet.
A young student creates an abstract pastel artwork by drawing over half of a printed photo of their own face during Art Class in South Austin. The messy yet expressive style reflects a blend of self-exploration, creativity, and bold mark-making — encouraging students to use art as a personal and imaginative outlet.
An elderly student works on a powerful image of a white tiger walking toward the viewer through snow during Art Class in Oak Hill. The artwork demonstrates a high level of attention to contrast, texture, and depth — highlighting the student's growth in realistic animal rendering and value control.
A young student begins outlining a cat drawing during Art Class in Leander, taking a moment to think about their next move. This image captures the reflective stage of the artistic process, where imagination and intention guide creative decisions — a key part of developing thoughtful, expressive young artists.
