--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Drawing is not what you see but what you…" description: "\"Drawing is not what you see but what you must make others see.\" — Edgar Degas" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/584/edgar-degas-4615_art_drawing-is-not-what-you-see-but-what-you_2940787.png" --- # Drawing is not what you see but what you must make others… ![“Drawing is not what you see but what you must make others see.” quote by Edgar Degas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/584/edgar-degas-4615_art_drawing-is-not-what-you-see-but-what-you_2940787.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/584/edgar-degas-4615_art_drawing-is-not-what-you-see-but-what-you_2940787.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/584/edgar-degas-4615_art_drawing-is-not-what-you-see-but-what-you_2940787.png) > “Drawing is not what you see but what you must make others see.” [Edgar Degas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-degas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Art is about conveying what others must perceive, not just replicating what you see. **In simple terms:** Art shows what others should see. Key Takeaway Create vision beyond observation. Themes artistic vision communication perception Mood inspired thoughtful Type artistic philosophical When to use this quote - painting - design - education Key Concepts visual storytelling creative direction Questions to Reflect On - How do you guide viewers’ perception? - What techniques reveal hidden meaning? A Different Perspective Interpretation varies. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Art and artists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-and-artists/) [Art and creativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-and-creativity/) [Art dance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-dance/) [Art history](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-history/) [Art making](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-making/) [Art teacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-teacher/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Artistic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artistic/) [Artists and creativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artists-and-creativity/) [Beauty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beauty/) [Creative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creative/) [Creative art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creative-art/) [Creative artists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creative-artists/) [Creativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creativity/) [Dance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/) [Famous artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/famous-artist/) [Fine arts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fine-arts/) [Graphic design inspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/graphic-design-inspiration/) [Great artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-artist/) [Impressionism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impressionism/) [Impressionists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impressionists/) [Inspiration and creativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration-and-creativity/) [Inspirational art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational-art/) [Inspirational artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational-artist/) [Inspirational graphic design](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational-graphic-design/) [Inspire creativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspire-creativity/) [Painter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painter/) [Painting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painting/) [Painting and art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painting-and-art/) [Painting art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painting-art/) [Passion for art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passion-for-art/) [Vision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vision/) [Works of art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/works-of-art/) ## Related quotes > [Joseph Gotto, yeah. Just all-around one of the more inspiring artists - not because of any sort of specific content direction, but rather the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kehinde-wiley/joseph-gotto-yeah-just-all-around-one-of-the-more-inspiring-artists/) [Kehinde Wiley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kehinde-wiley/) > [When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn't really do it, they just saw something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-jobs/when-you-ask-creative-people-how-they-did-something-they-feel-a/) [Steve Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-jobs/) > [For great things do not done just happen by impulse but are a succession of small things linked together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-van-gogh/for-great-things-do-not-done-just-happen-by-impulse-but-are-a/) [Vincent Van Gogh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-van-gogh/) > [Art is indeed not the bread but the wine of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-paul/art-is-indeed-not-the-bread-but-the-wine-of-life/) [Jean Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-paul/) > [I'm 45 years old. I used to be a club girl, but that's not my world anymore. That doesn't mean I can't make music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-manson/i-m-45-years-old-i-used-to-be-a-club-girl-but-that-s-not-my-world/) [Shirley Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-manson/) > [Art must be an expression of love or it is nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-chagall/art-must-be-an-expression-of-love-or-it-is-nothing/) [Marc Chagall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-chagall/) > [Don't think about making art...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-warhol/don-t-think-about-making-art/) [Andy Warhol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-warhol/) > [Drugs are bad...Unless they're curing a disease, executing a murderer, clearing a clouded mind, inspiring art and music...Never mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/drugs-are-bad-unless-they-re-curing-a-disease-executing-a-murderer/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Select only things to steal that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-jarmusch/select-only-things-to-steal-that-speak-directly-to-your-soul-if-you/) [Jim Jarmusch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-jarmusch/) > [Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-jarmusch/steal-from-anywhere-that-resonates-with-inspiration-or-fuels-your-2/) [Jim Jarmusch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-jarmusch/) > [Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-jarmusch/nothing-is-original-steal-from-anywhere-that-resonates-with-4/) [Jim Jarmusch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-jarmusch/) > [Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-jarmusch/select-only-things-to-steal-from-that-speak-directly-to-your-soul/) [Jim Jarmusch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-jarmusch/) > [Being willing is not enough. We must do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-da-vinci/being-willing-is-not-enough-we-must-do/) [Leonardo da Vinci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-da-vinci/) > [To be the agent whose touch changes nature from a wild force to a work of art is inspiration of the highest order.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-rodale/to-be-the-agent-whose-touch-changes-nature-from-a-wild-force-to-a/) Robert Rodale > [The seed of your next artwork lies embedded in the imperfections of your current piece.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bayles/the-seed-of-your-next-artwork-lies-embedded-in-the-imperfections-of/) [David Bayles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bayles/) ## More by Edgar Degas > [There are some women who should barely be spoken to; they should only be caressed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-degas/there-are-some-women-who-should-barely-be-spoken-to-they-should-only/) [Edgar Degas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-degas/) > [The air we see in the paintings of the old masters is never the air we breathe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-degas/the-air-we-see-in-the-paintings-of-the-old-masters-is-never-the-air/) [Edgar Degas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-degas/) > [Even in front of nature one must compose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-degas/even-in-front-of-nature-one-must-compose/) [Edgar Degas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-degas/) > [Art is vice. One does not wed it, one rapes it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-degas/art-is-vice-one-does-not-wed-it-one-rapes-it/) [Edgar Degas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-degas/) > [What a delightful thing is the conversation of specialists! One understands absolutely nothing and it's charming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-degas/what-a-delightful-thing-is-the-conversation-of-specialists-one/) [Edgar Degas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-degas/) > [Instantaneity is photography.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-degas/instantaneity-is-photography/) [Edgar Degas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-degas/) > [Women can never forgive me; they hate me, they feel that I am disarming them. I show them without their coquetry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-degas/women-can-never-forgive-me-they-hate-me-they-feel-that-i-am-disarming/) [Edgar Degas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-degas/) > [In painting you must give the idea of the true by means of the false.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-degas/in-painting-you-must-give-the-idea-of-the-true-by-means-of-the-false/) [Edgar Degas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-degas/) > [I would have been in mortal misery all my life for fear my wife might say, 'That's a pretty little thing,' after I had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-degas/i-would-have-been-in-mortal-misery-all-my-life-for-fear-my-wife-might/) [Edgar Degas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-degas/) > [Great patience is called for on the hard path that I have entered on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-degas/great-patience-is-called-for-on-the-hard-path-that-i-have-entered-on/) [Edgar Degas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-degas/) > [There is too much talk and gossip; pictures are apparently made, like stock-market prices, by competition of people eager for profits... All this traffic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-degas/there-is-too-much-talk-and-gossip-pictures-are-apparently-made-like/) [Edgar Degas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-degas/) > [What is certain is that setting a piece of nature in place and drawing it are two very different things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-degas/what-is-certain-is-that-setting-a-piece-of-nature-in-place-and/) [Edgar Degas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-degas/) > [I should like to be famous and unknown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-degas/i-should-like-to-be-famous-and-unknown/) [Edgar Degas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-degas/) > [Art is really a battle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-degas/art-is-really-a-battle/) [Edgar Degas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-degas/) > [A picture is an artificial work, outside nature. It calls for as much cunning as the commission of a crime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-degas/a-picture-is-an-artificial-work-outside-nature-it-calls-for-as-much/) [Edgar Degas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-degas/) [Explore all 108 Edgar Degas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-degas/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) Taf Teh > [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [“The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/the-only-thing-i-tell-you-this-straight-from-the-heart-that-disgusts/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) [Browse all 48,643 Art quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Drawing is not what you see but what you must make others see.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Edgar Degas" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-degas/drawing-is-not-what-you-see-but-what-you-must-make-others-see/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Art" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-degas/drawing-is-not-what-you-see-but-what-you-must-make-others-see/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/584/edgar-degas-4615_art_drawing-is-not-what-you-see-but-what-you_2940787.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/584/edgar-degas-4615_art_drawing-is-not-what-you-see-but-what-you_2940787.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/584/edgar-degas-4615_art_drawing-is-not-what-you-see-but-what-you_2940787.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Drawing is not what you see but what you must make others see.” — Edgar Degas", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Edgar Degas", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-degas/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Drawing is not what you see...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-degas/drawing-is-not-what-you-see-but-what-you-must-make-others-see/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-degas/drawing-is-not-what-you-see-but-what-you-must-make-others-see/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```