Ever scrolled through DeviantArt or Instagram and felt like a total failure because your stick figures look like they’ve been through a blender? Yeah. Me too. But then you hit a post with two images side-by-side. On the left, a muddy, anatomically impossible smudge from 2012. On the right, a breathtaking digital masterpiece from 2024.
That’s the draw this again meme.
It isn't just a trend. Honestly, it’s basically the "before and after" of the art world, but without the fake weight-loss tea or the filtered lighting. It’s raw. It’s vulnerable. And in an era where AI can generate a "masterpiece" in six seconds, this meme is a stubborn, beautiful reminder that human skill takes a long, long time to cook.
The humble roots of the draw this again meme
Where did this actually start? Well, you've gotta look back at the early 2010s. DeviantArt—the chaotic, wonderful, and sometimes weird hub of the art world—formally introduced the "Draw This Again!" challenge template around 2011. They even had a dedicated gallery for it.
The premise was simple. Artists would dig through their old, dusty sketchbooks, find something they drew years ago, and try to recreate it with their current skill set. No cheating. No tracing. Just a direct comparison of then versus now.
It exploded.
Why? Because art is lonely. You spend hundreds of hours staring at a tablet or canvas, and most of the time, you feel like you're stuck. You don't notice the 1% improvement you make every day. But when you put a drawing from ten years ago next to one from today, the progress hits you like a freight train. It’s a dopamine hit for the creator and a massive dose of inspiration for everyone else.
The psychology of the side-by-side
There is something deeply satisfying about seeing a glow-up. Humans are wired to love transformation stories. It’s why we watch home renovation shows or "day one to day 365" gym videos.
In the context of the draw this again meme, the appeal is the transparency. Most professional artists on social media only post their wins. You see the polished, perfect final product. You don't see the 5,000 bad drawings that came before it. This meme breaks that wall. It says, "Look, I used to suck at drawing hands too."
It humanizes the "elites." When an artist like Loish or Ross Tran participates, it bridges the gap between the beginner and the pro. It proves that talent isn't a magical gift dropped by a stork; it’s just a lot of "mileage" on the pencil.
Why this meme keeps surviving (Even in the AI era)
You’d think that with the rise of generative AI, people would stop caring about human progress. If a prompt can make a perfect dragon, why do we care that Sarah from Ohio took ten years to learn how to shade a dragon’s wing?
Actually, the draw this again meme has become more important.
It’s proof of work.
In 2026, we are craving "the human touch" more than ever. We want to see the struggle. We want to see that someone actually put in the "blood, sweat, and pixels." The meme acts as a receipt. It shows the timeline of a human brain learning a complex motor skill and aesthetic judgment.
The "ugly" phase is the best part
Usually, the most viral versions of this meme aren't the ones where the artist was already "okay" in the "before" picture. The ones that really take off are the ones where the original drawing is objectively bad.
We’re talking:
- Eyes that are two different sizes.
- Hands hidden behind the back because they couldn't draw fingers.
- Neon colors that hurt to look at.
- Proportions that defy the laws of physics.
When the "after" photo shows professional-level lighting, sub-surface scattering, and perfect anatomy, it creates a narrative. It’s a story of persistence. It tells every kid with a cheap Wacom tablet that they aren't "bad at art"—they're just in the "before" stage of their own meme.
Beyond DeviantArt: The meme goes mainstream
While it started with digital painters, the draw this again meme eventually leaked into every corner of the internet.
Twitter (or X, whatever you call it today) turned it into a seasonal event. Every few months, a "New Year, New Art" or "How it started vs. How it’s going" trend kicks off. It’s a recurring cycle. Instagram artists use the "swipe" feature to hide the old drawing behind the new one, creating a "reveal" effect that works perfectly with the algorithm.
Even 3D modelers and animators started doing it. You’ll see a blocky, low-poly character from 2015 compared to a cinematic-quality render from 2025. It’s the same soul, just a better vessel.
The "Draw This in Your Style" crossover
Sometimes people confuse this with the #DTIYS (Draw This in Your Style) challenge. They’re cousins, but they aren't the same. DTIYS is about community—taking someone else’s character and interpreting it. The draw this again meme is more personal. It’s a conversation with your past self.
It’s an apology to that 14-year-old version of you who tried so hard to draw a cool wolf but didn't know how layers worked.
The technical evolution shown in the meme
If you look at thousands of these (which I have, because it’s a rabbit hole), you notice patterns in how artists actually improve. It’s never just "getting better." It’s specific things.
First, the "before" images almost always have "hairy lines." Beginners are afraid to make one bold stroke, so they make a hundred tiny ones. The "after" images have confidence. The lines are clean, or the artist has moved past lines entirely into shape language and value.
Second, the color palettes. Beginners tend to use "out of the tube" colors—pure red, pure blue. They don't understand that shadows aren't just "black mixed with a color." In the draw this again meme "after" shots, you see complex color theory. You see reflected light. You see atmosphere.
The "Same Idea, Better Execution" phenomenon
What’s fascinating is that the core ideas usually don't change.
The artist who loved drawing edgy vampires in 2012 is usually still drawing edgy vampires in 2024. The "what" stays the same; the "how" evolves. This proves that our creative "spark" or interests are often baked in early. We just spend the rest of our lives getting the technical skills to match our imaginations.
How to do it right (If you’re an artist)
Thinking about jumping in? Don't just pick a random drawing.
Pick something that you were proud of at the time. That’s the key. If you pick something you knew was a doodle, the contrast isn't as meaningful. Find that one piece where you thought, "This is the best thing I will ever create," and then destroy it with your current skills.
Also, try to keep the composition similar. If the original was a bust shot of a girl looking to the left, make the remake a bust shot of a girl looking to the left. If you change the pose too much, it’s harder for the viewer to compare the technical growth.
The emotional weight of the "Redraw"
Honestly, it’s kinda emotional.
Looking at old art is usually cringeworthy. Most artists hate their old work. They want to burn it. But the draw this again meme forces you to look at it with a bit of grace. You realize that the "bad" artist from ten years ago was the one who did the boring work so you could be the "good" artist today.
It’s a tribute to the grind.
In a world obsessed with overnight success and viral moments, this meme celebrates the "ten-year overnight success." It honors the years of drawing during math class, the failed commissions, and the late nights.
What users get wrong about the meme
A common misconception is that the "after" photo has to be perfect.
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It doesn't.
Some of the best versions of this meme show an artist who went from "terrible" to "slightly less terrible." And that’s okay! Progress isn't linear. Sometimes you see a 2018 vs 2022 where the 2018 one actually looks better because the artist was experimenting with a style that didn't work out. That’s part of the story too.
Actionable Steps for Creators and Fans
If you’re a fan of these, the best thing you can do is comment on specific improvements. Don't just say "nice." Say, "The way you handled the lighting on the hair in the new version is insane." It validates the specific things the artist worked hard to learn.
If you’re an artist:
- Audit your archives: Go back to your oldest cloud storage or physical sketchbooks. Find a "milestone" piece.
- Don't overthink it: The goal isn't to make the best drawing in the world; it’s to show your growth.
- Use the template: People recognize the side-by-side format instantly. Stick to the classic layout for maximum impact on Discover feeds.
- Be honest about the time: Label the years clearly. "2014 vs 2024" tells a much more powerful story than just "Old vs New."
The draw this again meme isn't going anywhere. As long as humans are learning and growing, we’re going to want to look back at where we started. It’s the ultimate "f-you" to imposter syndrome. It’s visual proof that you are better than you were yesterday, even if it doesn't always feel like it.
Go find an old drawing. See how far you've come.