Original drawing illustration for tracing vs. freehand drawing: how to practice both

What changes when you remove the guide?

With a tracing guide, the location of the edge is already shown. You still control the pencil, pressure, and pace, but much of the placement decision comes from the reference. Without the guide, you have to compare distances and angles before making the mark.

This is why a careful traced outline does not automatically mean you can draw the same subject from memory. Treat them as different exercises, then use a small sequence to connect them.

Exercise one: trace the large shapes

Choose a simple subject such as a leaf, a mug, or our sitting cat. Trace only its outer edge and two or three important internal shapes. Skip shading and texture so you can pay attention to the proportions.

As you work, name the shapes you notice. Is the head wider than the body? Where is the widest point? How much space sits between the front paws? These observations will help when the guide is gone.

Exercise two: draw beside the reference

On a fresh part of the page, draw the same subject while keeping the reference nearby. Begin with a simple enclosing shape. Mark the top, bottom, and widest points before connecting them.

Compare the largest relationships first. If the body is too narrow, fix it before adding the face. You are now making placement decisions with the reference as a check rather than an overlay.

Exercise three: recall and compare

Put the reference aside and draw the subject one more time. Keep this version small and quick. Then bring the reference back and compare one or two specific features rather than judging the entire page as good or bad.

Write a concrete note, such as “the ears need more space between them.” Repeat that part while the observation is fresh. A useful note describes a change you can make, not a judgment about talent.

When should you use each approach?

Choose tracing when you want to transfer a composition or inspect the shape of an unfamiliar subject. Choose observation drawing when you want to practice comparing proportions and translating them to the page. Use imagination drawing when you want to explore a new version.

For artwork you share or sell, use a reference you own, a reference licensed for that use, or work in the public domain. Tracing is a technique; it does not grant permission to copy someone else’s work.

Keep the comparison small and specific

A three-drawing session can fit on one sheet: guided, observed, and recalled. Date the page and circle one feature to revisit next time. Over several pages, your notes give you a more useful record than a collection of polished outlines alone.

There is no fixed schedule that guarantees progress. Choose a repeatable practice size, keep the task understandable, and adjust the difficulty when you can explain what you are trying to improve.

One thing to try today

Trace, observe, recall, then compare one feature. The value comes from noticing and testing a specific change.

Explore build a drawing one step at a time, follow a free step-by-step tutorial, or choose your next subject from our drawing ideas.

Written by AR Drawing editorial. This guide offers practical drawing exercises and setup suggestions; it does not promise a particular learning outcome. Read our editorial approach and app sources.