When I first picked up Keys to Drawing with Imagination by Bert Dodson, I was in a rut. I’d been drawing regularly, but everything started to feel too predictable. I was copying photos, drawing from life, practicing shading and perspective—but it all felt a little sterile.
What I really wanted was to break free from those rules, to invent, to explore something weirder and more personal. I wanted to let go of the pressure to “get it right” and just enjoy the process again.
That’s exactly what this book helped me do. Keys to Drawing with Imagination isn’t about drawing better in the traditional sense. It’s about drawing freer. More playfully. More like yourself. And that’s something I think a lot of us forget to value once we get caught up in learning the technical side of art.
If you’re looking for a book that will shake you loose from stiff realism or give you a big creative boost, I think this one is worth your time. I’ll share how I used it, which parts stuck with me, and how it changed the way I use my sketchbook today.
Keys to Drawing with Imagination: First Impressions and Format
Right off the bat, this book felt different from the usual how-to drawing guides. It’s not a rigid course on perspective or anatomy. Instead, it’s structured around eight chapters with playful titles like “Stretching the Truth” and “Visualizing Ideas.” It’s more like a creative playground than a textbook. But it’s not fluffy—it’s incredibly well thought out.
Dodson offers 58 strategies, 36 exercises, and 13 step-by-step demos, but they’re all meant to be starting points—not rigid assignments. One of the things I really appreciated was that he doesn’t want you to copy his work. He gives you tools and ideas, then pushes you to run with them in your own way.
For example, in the early chapters, he introduces something called “doodling algorithms.” These are basically categories of mark-making—like spirals, zigzags, or angles—and you explore how far you can push each one. I remember sitting on the couch one evening just filling a page with spirals, then seeing shapes and patterns emerge from them. That simple exercise pulled me out of a creative slump.
It’s the kind of book you can dip into whenever you’re feeling stuck. I’ve used it alongside my nature journaling practice, as well as during quiet mornings when I just want to draw with no plan. If you already enjoy sketching nature or observational drawing, this is a great way to expand what you’re doing and bring more of your inner world into your work.
Key Points
Here are the three most helpful strategies I took away from Keys to Drawing with Imagination:
- Start with doodling, not perfection. Dodson emphasizes spontaneous mark-making as the foundation of creativity. He makes a strong case that doodling is a legit art practice, not just something to do absentmindedly.
- Flip, melt, and break objects. One of my favorite chapters teaches you to distort, deconstruct, or transform the familiar. I remember drawing a teapot that slowly morphed into a snail. It made no sense, but it was fun, and that’s the point.
- Think in visual metaphors. Dodson encourages artists to use symbolism, repetition, and pattern to tell stories. This was huge for me—I started using these tools in my own sketchbooks and it made my drawings more personal and layered.
How This Book Helped Me Rethink My Sketchbook Practice
I used to treat my sketchbook like a portfolio. Every page had to be neat, finished, and polished—or at least good enough to share online. That pressure led to a lot of hesitation. I’d sit down to draw and freeze up because I didn’t want to “waste” a page.
But Dodson flipped that for me. He writes in a way that feels like a gentle nudge from a mentor—”Just make a mark and see where it goes.” That mindset shift gave me so much freedom. I started filling pages again, experimenting, being silly. Sometimes I’d only spend five minutes on a sketch. Other times, I’d go down a rabbit hole for an hour, turning a doodle into a full spread.
It reminded me a lot of why I got into drawing in the first place—to play and to explore. That spirit is what keeps my nature journaling adventures interesting too. Drawing shouldn’t always feel like work. It should feel like discovery.
Favorite Exercises and Chapters
Dodson’s 36 exercises are woven throughout the chapters and cover a wide range of imaginative strategies. Here are a few that really stuck with me:
Doodling Algorithms
This was the perfect starting point. He introduces categories of marks—like spirals, zigzags, or boxes—and shows how to build compositions from them. It sounds simple, but once you start combining them and layering them, things get interesting fast. It’s a great way to loosen up and stop overthinking.
Escher Tiling
One exercise has you create interlocking shapes that fill a page with no background. I tried this while listening to music one night and ended up with a whole sheet of interconnected bird-fish hybrids. It was incredibly satisfying and totally different from my usual sketchbook content.
Mining Culture
Dodson encourages you to look at art from different cultures—not to copy it, but to learn from the patterns, motifs, and symbolism. I ended up studying textiles from West Africa and trying to incorporate some of those repeating patterns into my own animal drawings. If you’re into drawing animals, this kind of approach can really elevate your work.
Building a Drawing Habit With More Imagination
One thing this book does well is show you that creativity isn’t random—it’s a practice. You build it the same way you build skill: by doing. I started combining Dodson’s exercises with simple drawing prompts and filled a sketchbook in just under two months.
That habit helped me reconnect with my sketchbook in a more meaningful way. Instead of asking, “What should I draw today?” I’d ask, “What would be fun or surprising to draw today?” That little reframe kept me showing up, even when I wasn’t feeling particularly inspired.
Some days I drew imaginary plants. Other days I’d mash up animals from different continents. I even invented a few new tools and vehicles just for fun. That playful mindset also fed back into my creative journaling excursions, where I began adding more imaginary elements to real-life observations.
Who I’d Recommend This Book To
I think Keys to Drawing with Imagination is perfect for:
- Artists who feel stuck or uninspired
- Sketchbook users who want to get more experimental
- People who love the idea of drawing but get overwhelmed by technical books
- Anyone who wants to combine imagination with a bit of structure
It’s not a book about realism or traditional technique. If you’re trying to master anatomy or draw accurate portraits, this isn’t the place to start. But if you already know the basics and want to make your work feel more you, it’s fantastic.
If you're not quite ready for this leap into imagination, or you’re still building confidence, you might want to begin with a course like Start Sketching or explore drawing basics through drawing bootcamp.
Using This Book With Nature Journaling
Even though the focus is internal creativity, I found this book worked well with my nature journaling practice. After doing a few exercises on visual metaphor, I started applying that to what I saw outdoors. A bent tree became a character. A pattern in the sand became a design motif. I was no longer just documenting what I saw—I was responding to it.
If you're interested in blending observation and imagination, check out nature journaling prompts or watercolor in nature to get started.
Final Thoughts
This book reminded me why I draw. Not to be perfect. Not to impress anyone. But because it’s fun. It’s a way to explore, to play, and to see the world a little differently. Keys to Drawing with Imagination gave me back a sense of wonder I didn’t even realize I’d lost.
And while the exercises were great, the real magic came from how the book changed my mindset. Now, when I sit down to draw, I’m not chasing perfection—I’m chasing curiosity. That’s a much more sustainable way to stay creative.
FAQs
Is Keys to Drawing with Imagination good for beginners?
It’s great for beginners who already know the basics and are looking to expand their creativity. If you’re brand new to drawing, you might want to start with Start Sketching or Keys to Drawing first.
How is this book different from other drawing books?
Most drawing books teach technique—this one teaches creativity. It’s less about drawing realistic subjects and more about inventing from your imagination. It gives you permission to make weird, playful, and personal work.
Can I use this book with my sketchbook practice?
Absolutely. I used it to shake up my daily sketching and re-engage with what I wanted to draw. If you’re looking to fill your pages with more expressive and personal work, this is a great tool.
Is there overlap with Keys to Drawing?
Not much. While both are by Bert Dodson, Keys to Drawing is about seeing and drawing from observation, while Keys to Drawing with Imagination is about drawing from your mind and exploring ideas.