Preparing and photographing a drawing
ArtReadMe service guide · Prepared with AI assistance
A clear photograph helps distinguish marks on paper from shadows, glare and cropping. Accurately representing the original matters more than producing an attractive drawing.
Prepare your materials
Use plain paper and a familiar pencil or pen. Draw at your own pace instead of copying an example. This is not an assessment of artistic ability. Erasures and changes are part of the drawing, so there is no need to conceal them.
Choose a drawing type
HTP uses a house, tree and person. KHTP considers a scene containing these subjects and activity. DAP focuses on a human figure. Check that the type you select matches the drawing you upload. These instructions do not replace a standardized assessment administered by a qualified professional.
Take the photograph
Lay the paper flat and hold the camera parallel to it. Include all four corners. Avoid shadows cast by your hand or phone, and check for glare. Indirect daylight can help. Zoom in before uploading to confirm that faint lines remain visible.
Preserve the original
Filters and sharpening can change line width, contrast and color. Upload an unfiltered photograph where possible. A cropped feature can look like an absent feature, which may change the observations. Remove names, school details, phone numbers and other identifying information before uploading.
Respect the person who drew it
Ask permission before uploading somebody else’s drawing. Handle children’s drawings and counseling materials with particular care and follow the relevant guardian or institutional process. Never use one drawing to label someone’s personality or diagnose a condition.