What term describes drawing a subject by looking directly at it and not altering the environment?

• A. Sketching from memory
• B. Drawing from direct observation
• C. Copying from a photo
• D. Tracing

Answer: (B)

Drawing from direct observation is about looking closely at the subject and rendering what you actually see, without moving things in the scene or using another reference. This approach trains your eye to capture true proportions, angles, edges, and value as they appear in real life, rather than relying on memory or substitutes.

Sketching from memory relies on what you think the subject looks like, which can distort proportions and details because it isn’t anchored to what’s in front of you. Copying from a photo uses a static image as the reference, which can misrepresent lighting, depth, and immediacy of sight. Tracing involves following an outline with a line on top of a reference, which doesn’t require seeing and interpreting in the moment, so it doesn’t develop the same observational skills.