Tips & Strategies

Start with the Basics

Begin with simple shapes and main features. Don't get lost in details before establishing the overall form. For example:

• Drawing "cat"? Start with basic head and body shapes first
• Drawing "car"? Outline the general vehicle shape before adding wheels
• Drawing "tree"? Trunk first, then branches

Tip: Think of it like building blocks—foundation first, details later.

Draw Recognizable Features

Focus on the most distinctive characteristics. What makes your subject unique?

• Elephant: The trunk is the giveaway—draw it prominently
• Pizza: Triangular slices and circular shape are key
• Guitar: The characteristic body shape and strings
• Rainbow: The arc shape and multiple colored bands

Pro tip: Ask yourself, "What would make someone instantly recognize this?"

Use the Right Scale

Size your drawing appropriately on the canvas. Make it large enough to see details but not so large that important features run off the screen.

• Center your drawing for best visibility
• Leave some margin around the edges
• Use the full canvas—don't draw too small
• For complex objects, draw them large enough to show key details

Strategic Color Usage

Colors are hints! Use them wisely to convey meaning:

• Realistic colors: Green for grass, blue for water, yellow for sun
• Contrast: Use different colors to separate different parts
• Highlighting: Use bright colors for important features
• Common associations: Red for fire/heart, brown for wood, etc.

Remember: You have 6 colors to work with—use them strategically!

Manage Your Time

You have 60 seconds—use them wisely!

• First 20 seconds: Draw the main shape and most obvious features
• Next 20 seconds: Add important details and context
• Final 20 seconds: Refine and add finishing touches

Tip: A simple, clear drawing beats a complex, unfinished one every time.

Add Context Clues

Sometimes the environment tells the story. Include context to make your drawing clearer:

• Fish: Draw water, waves, or bubbles
• Bed: Add a pillow or blanket
• Phone: Draw it next to an ear or with signal bars
• Coffee: Show steam rising or put it in a mug

Watch the First Strokes

The first few lines often reveal the answer. Pay close attention to what your opponent draws first:

• Circle first? Could be face, ball, sun, wheel, or clock
• Rectangle? Might be book, door, phone, or box
• Horizontal line? Ground level for landscapes or horizon
• Triangle? Could be pyramid, mountain, or arrow

Pro tip: Start guessing basic shapes immediately—you might get lucky!

Think in Categories

Organize your guesses by category:

• Animals: Cat, dog, bird, fish, elephant, lion
• Objects: Chair, table, phone, book, car
• Nature: Tree, flower, sun, cloud, mountain
• Food: Pizza, apple, banana, cake, coffee
• Actions: Running, swimming, eating, sleeping

Tip: Once you identify the category, narrow down within it.

Try Variations

If your first guess is close, try related words:

• If it looks like "dog" isn't working, try: puppy, hound, poodle, pet
• Not "car"? Try: vehicle, automobile, taxi, truck
• Not "house"? Try: home, building, cottage, cabin

Remember: The exact wording matters—keep trying variations!

Look for Defining Features

What makes this drawing unique? Identify the most distinctive elements:

• Long trunk = elephant
• Wings and beak = bird
• Four wheels = car or truck
• Triangular slices = pizza
• Pointy ears and whiskers = cat

Read the Colors

Colors are clues! What do different colors suggest?

• Green: Plants, grass, trees, vegetables
• Blue: Water, sky, ocean, ice
• Yellow: Sun, banana, light, gold
• Red: Fire, heart, apple, blood
• Brown: Wood, dirt, chocolate, bear

Type Fast, Guess Often

Speed matters! Don't overthink—guess quickly and frequently:

• Type your guess and hit Enter immediately
• Don't wait for the "perfect" guess
• Try obvious answers first
• Keep guessing until time runs out or you get it right

Remember: There's no penalty for wrong guesses—take every shot!

Learn Common Words

Drawly uses a curated word list. The more you play, the more you'll recognize patterns. Common categories include:

• Everyday objects: Phone, chair, bed, door, window
• Popular animals: Cat, dog, fish, bird, horse
• Common foods: Pizza, apple, cake, coffee, bread
• Nature: Tree, flower, sun, cloud, mountain
• Actions: Running, jumping, eating, sleeping

Adapt to Your Opponent

Every player has a unique drawing style. Pay attention to how your opponent draws:

• Do they draw realistically or abstractly?
• Do they add lots of detail or keep it simple?
• Do they use color meaningfully or randomly?
• Do they draw the whole object or just key features?

Adjust your guessing strategy based on their style!

Use Perspective & Proportions

Advanced drawing technique:

• Show depth with simple perspective lines
• Draw objects in proper proportion to each other
• Use size to indicate distance (smaller = farther)
• Add shadows or ground lines for realism

Master Difficult Words

Stuck with an abstract concept? Try these techniques:

• Action words: Draw stick figures performing the action
• Emotions: Use facial expressions or symbols (heart for love)
• Abstract concepts: Use universally recognized symbols
• Similar words: Draw something very similar if stuck

Perfect Your Timing

Time management wins games:

• As a drawer: Prioritize clarity over perfection
• As a guesser: Make your first guess within 10 seconds
• Don't waste time: Erasing/redrawing vs starting fresh
• Use the Clear button wisely: Sometimes starting over is faster