Scribble to Picture

Turn a random scribble into a real drawing by finding a shape hidden inside it.

Reading is good — doing is better. Practice Scribble to Picture as an interactive lesson.

Definition

Scribble to Picture is an art activity where you draw a messy, squiggly line on paper without thinking about what it will be, then look at the scribble carefully and add details to turn it into something recognizable, like an animal, a face, or an object.

Remember the rule

Scribble first, THEN look. Ask yourself: What does this remind me of?

Key words

Scribble: A messy, wiggly line you draw without a plan
Picture: A drawing that shows something you can name, like a dog or a sun
Details: Small lines or marks you add to make a drawing look more like something real
Outline: The edge or border line around a shape
Imagination: Using your mind to think of ideas that are not right in front of you
Transform: To change something into something new
Shape: The form made by a closed or open line, like a circle or a zigzag
Background: What you draw behind the main picture to show where the scene takes place

Worked examples

You draw a big loopy oval scribble with a bumpy top edge. What could it become?

→ Add two triangle ears on top, draw two dots for eyes, a small triangle nose, and whiskers on the sides. Now it is a cat face! · The bumpy top edge suggested ears, which is how the cat idea was found.

Your scribble has a long thin line going across with a round blob on one end. What could it become?

→ Draw a round eye on the blob, add a small fin on top and a tail on the other end, and color it blue. Now it is a fish! · Looking at the blob as a head first helped unlock the whole idea.

You scribble a shape that has a wide bottom and a pointy top. What could it become?

→ Color the bottom part green and add a trunk line down the middle, then put a star or a yellow ball at the pointy top. Now it is a Christmas tree! · The pointy top was the biggest clue that pointed to a tree shape.

Your scribble looks like a lumpy rectangle lying on its side. What could it become?

→ Add four short lines under it for legs, draw a round head on one end with a mane, and put a tail on the other end. Now it is a horse!

You scribble lots of small connected loops all bunched together. What could it become?

→ Color each loop a different color, add a stem and two leaves at the bottom. Now it is a bunch of balloons or a bouquet of flowers! · Bunched loops can become either balloons or flowers depending on what you add at the bottom.

Common mistakes

Trying to plan the scribble before drawing it — the scribble must be random so the surprise can happen
Giving up too fast if no idea comes right away — try turning the paper sideways or upside down to see a new shape
Erasing the scribble because it looks messy — the messy lines are the starting point, not a mistake
Only adding a tiny detail and stopping — adding eyes, color, and a background makes the picture much clearer
Saying there is only one right answer — any idea that uses the scribble is correct

FAQs

Does my scribble have to look like something before I start adding to it?

No! The whole point is that it looks like nothing at first. You find the picture hiding inside after you draw the scribble.

What if I really cannot see anything in my scribble?

Try turning the paper around to look at it from four different directions. Something almost always appears when you look at it upside down or from the side.

Can two kids have the same scribble and make different pictures?

Yes, and that is what makes this activity special. One child might see a dinosaur and another might see a mountain. Both are right.

Does the finished picture have to use every part of the scribble?

No. You can ignore some lines and only use the part that gave you an idea. Just make sure you are adding to the scribble, not starting over on a blank spot.

What materials do I need?

All you need is paper, a pencil or crayon to scribble with, and colored crayons or markers to add details and color when you are done.

Is a scribble drawing a real piece of art?

Absolutely. Many famous artists used random marks as starting points. Your finished scribble picture is a real, original artwork made only by you.

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