I Suck At Drawing: Rules and How to Play
By Exploding Kittens | Party card games, puzzles, greeting cards | Published: 2026-10-27
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to play I Suck At Drawing, the party game where the artist can't see their own doodle. Get setup, rules, and tips for chaotic fun.
Quick Answer
I Suck At Drawing is a fast-paced party game where one player draws a hidden prompt while the rest guess what it is—except the artist can't see their own drawing. Learn the simple rules and setup below.
Why the Artist Can't See the Drawing
The core twist in I Suck At Drawing is that the artist draws on a surface only they can't see, usually by drawing on their own forehead with a marker. This turns every doodle into a hilarious mess, making the game less about artistic skill and more about communication and laughter.
Because the artist is blind to their work, the game levels the playing field: everyone from confident sketchers to self-proclaimed bad artists has the same chance to produce something unrecognizable. The fun comes from the chaotic reveal, not from polished artwork.
What You Need to Start Playing
The game includes a deck of prompt cards and dry-erase markers. You'll also need a surface the artist can draw on without seeing it—usually the included headband or a simple piece of paper taped to a wall. If you're using your own supplies, any washable marker and a smooth surface work.
Setup takes under a minute: shuffle the deck, give each player a marker, and decide who goes first. The game is designed for small to medium groups, so it's perfect for parties, game nights, or icebreakers.
How to Play I Suck At Drawing: Step-by-Step
- Set up the game: Shuffle the prompt deck and place it face down in the center. Each player takes a marker. Choose the first artist—usually the person who most recently drew something. Make sure you have a surface the artist can't see, like a headband or a piece of paper on a wall. Test the marker works before starting.
- Draw a prompt card: The artist draws a prompt card without showing it to anyone else. They read it silently, then place the card face down. Don't let anyone else see the prompt—it's the secret that makes the game funny.
- Start drawing blind: The artist holds the marker to the surface and begins drawing the prompt without looking at their work. They can't peek or adjust based on what they see. Resist the urge to look—the game only works if the artist stays blind. If you accidentally see your drawing, start over with a new card.
- Guessing begins: Once the artist starts drawing, the other players shout out guesses. The artist can't speak, nod, or give hints—they just keep drawing. Encourage wild guesses; the more absurd, the more fun. The artist should keep drawing until someone guesses correctly or time runs out.
- Scoring and next round: If a player guesses correctly, both the guesser and the artist get a point. If no one guesses, the artist gets no points. Then the next player becomes the artist. Keep a simple tally on a piece of paper. Play as many rounds as you like—until someone reaches a target score or you're all laughing too hard to continue.
The Game at a Glance
- I Suck At Drawing: I Suck At Drawing is a drawing game where the artist is the only one who can't see what they're drawing, combining the simplicity of charades and doodling in one chaotically fun party game. This unique mechanic makes it instantly accessible for any group, because you don't need artistic talent to have a great time—everyone will laugh at the absurd results.
I Suck At Drawing
