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Drawing Symmetrical Objects

When creating artwork that features a still life, the skill of drawing symmetrical objects comes in handy. Symmetrical objects are objects that are exactly the same on both sides. If you were to draw a line straight down the middle of the object, the two sides are mirror images of each other.
To begin, first draw one side of the object. Draw the other side of it to mirror it exactly. Try practicing this before drawing an actual object. First, draw a vertical straight line on your paper. Next, draw half of a shape on one side of the line. Then draw the mirror image of that shape on the opposite side. For example:

Artist/teacher/author Mona Brooks recommends this exercise in her book Drawing With Children, and it's a great exercise for young and old alike. You can make up as many of these practice pictures as you need.
When you're ready, find a real object that is the same on both sides. Draw the basic size and shape on your paper, then complete one side of the object. Then draw the second side to mirror it exactly, just as you did in the exercise above.
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