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~beth4452 Feb 20, 2013 Hobbyist Traditional Artist

I've noticed that I always draw people facing the left, and that even though I CAN sketch from a photo thats facing the opposite way it feels forced and unnatural. I was just curious if other artists have noticed something similar with their own work, or have a theory as to what causes it?

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=DamaiMikaz Feb 21, 2013 Hobbyist Digital Artist

Every starting artists had this, to some degrees.
It's something you can get over, with a lot of practice.
I used to draw all my characters facing the same way. Making them turn the other way just seemed weird and awkward to me... and thb... the artwork didn't turn out so well. Many hours of practice made me come over this problem. I still have my preferences, but there's no such thing as a big difference in quality

~shininginthedarkness Feb 20, 2013

Yeah, it's pretty much habit. I think it may correlate a bit with handedness (ie right or left handed) but I've seen many people in this forum who say that's not how it works for them.
I'm right handed and draw everything facing to the left too. People, tables, Godzillasauruses, everything. But I can draw stuff facing the other way pretty decently now after practicing.

~beth4452 Feb 20, 2013 Hobbyist Traditional Artist

I had wondered about the right hand left hand thing being the initial reason I started preferring one direction, but if you were able to overcome it through practice I should be able to as well. Thanks for answering!

~Glori305 Feb 20, 2013

I always tend to do lighting from the left for my shading. I have had to get out of the habit, as I will turn a piece upside down, and work on the opposit side, but screw up my lighting. If you spend a week drawing people from any angle other than left, it will get easier.

~beth4452 Feb 20, 2013 Hobbyist Traditional Artist

Thanks! Will have to get to practicing I 'spose.

~WilWhalen Feb 20, 2013 Professional Digital Artist

It's just habit. Force yourself out of it for a while and it will become second nature.

~beth4452 Feb 20, 2013 Hobbyist Traditional Artist

lol wonder how long it takes to break a lifelong habit?

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