AR drawing on real paper

How to get started

1. Choose a simple reference in the app.
2. Secure your iPhone above a flat sheet of paper.
3. Adjust the opacity so you can see the guide and paper.
4. Follow the main outlines on screen, then finish on paper.

How does AR drawing work?

The reference appears on the display over the camera view. It gives you a visual guide for placing your lines while the camera shows your hand and paper beneath it. Your phone does not shine or project the outline onto the page.

Secure the phone before you begin. A stable overhead phone mount leaves your drawing hand free and helps you keep the guide aligned. Use a clear, well-lit surface with enough room to move your pencil.

Make the guide work for your drawing

Start with a simple outline that has large, readable shapes. Adjust the opacity until you can distinguish the reference from the marks on the paper. Trace the major edges lightly, then pause and check the page directly.

If the reference shifts, stop drawing and realign it using two landmarks you already traced. Avoid trying to correct the reference while continuing to draw; this often creates a second, mismatched outline.

Use tracing as one part of practice

Tracing can help you study where edges and shapes sit in a reference. To practice drawing independently, follow a tracing session with a fresh drawing from observation. Compare the width, height, and position of the largest forms.

The app is a drawing guide, and your pencil still makes every mark. Results depend on your setup, chosen reference, and practice. You do not need expensive pencils to start.

Before you start