Who is the Artist?
Who is the Artist? is a get-to-know-you activity in which everyone anonymously draws something that tells a fact or story from their life, using no words. The drawings are shown one at a time, the group guesses who made each one, and the artist then tells the story behind it. A version is published in the SessionLab library by Andy Pearson.
Facilitation script
- 1
Hand out identical paper and pens, explain the task and reassure people that drawing skill does not matter.
2 min - 2
Silent drawing: one little-known fact or story about yourself, no words.
5 min - 3
Collect and shuffle the drawings.
1 min - 4
Reveal each drawing in turn: a few guesses, then the artist tells the story and answers one follow-up question.
15 min - 5
Short debrief on what people learned about each other.
2 min
Tips
Say clearly at the start that drawing skill is irrelevant and that bad drawings make the game better, because some people freeze at the word 'draw'.
Ask for a story people are happy to tell in front of the whole group.
Cap the guessing at a few tries per drawing; with fifteen people, open-ended guessing doubles the running time.
Common pitfalls
Different pens or paper, or drawings handed in one by one in seating order, which gives the artist away before anyone guesses
Unlimited guessing and long stories, so the last drawings are rushed or dropped and those people feel short-changed
Comments on drawing quality, even joking ones, which embarrass people and make them reluctant to sketch later in the session
A prompt so open that people draw their job or their hobby everyone already knows, and nothing new comes out
Someone shares a story that is heavier than the moment can hold; frame the prompt as a light, tellable fact and thank them simply if it happens
Variations
Remote: participants draw on paper and send a photo to the facilitator privately, or draw on a hidden frame of an online whiteboard, and the facilitator reveals the images one by one. Themed: narrow the prompt to 'my first job', 'something I am proud of outside work' or 'my last holiday' to fit the session. Large groups: with more than twenty people, split into groups of six to eight that run the reveal in parallel, or show only a random selection in plenary and post the rest on a wall for the break. Points version: award a point for each correct guess if the group enjoys competition.
Where it fits
When to use it
Team members know each other's work but little about each other as people
The session will involve sketching and you want to get people past their reluctance to draw
A group of 5 to 20 has 15 to 30 minutes for a relaxed start
A remote team needs a social activity that is more personal than a quiz
People know each other at least a little, so guessing the artist is possible and fun
When not to use it
Complete strangers: nobody can guess the artist, so use Two Truths and a Lie or Human Bingo first
More than about 20 people in one group: the reveal takes too long, so split up or use Portrait Gallery
Less than 15 minutes: a One Word Check-In or Six Word Story gets everyone heard faster
You want to warm up visual thinking about a process rather than personal stories: Draw Toast is the better fit
The mood is tense or formal and personal disclosure would feel forced
Related methods
Frequently asked questions
What is Who is the Artist?▾
Who is the Artist? is an icebreaker in which each participant makes an anonymous, wordless drawing of a fact or story from their life. The drawings are revealed one by one, the group guesses who drew each, and the artist explains it. It takes 15 to 30 minutes for a group of 5 to 20.
Do participants need to be able to draw?▾
No. Stick figures and rough symbols are enough, and clumsy drawings usually lead to the funniest guesses. Say this before people start so nobody spends the drawing time worrying.
How do you run Who is the Artist? online?▾
Have participants draw on paper and send a photo to the facilitator in a private message, or draw in a hidden area of an online whiteboard. The facilitator then shares the images one at a time for guessing. Remind people not to sign the drawing or show a recognisable background.
How many people can play?▾
It works best with 5 to 20 people, because every drawing needs a minute or two for guessing and the story. With larger groups, split into several smaller ones that play in parallel.
What should people draw?▾
Something true about themselves that most of the group does not know yet and that they are happy to talk about: a hobby, a place they lived, an odd job, a small adventure. You can narrow the prompt to a theme that fits the workshop.
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Try it freeMethod descriptions on Workshop Weaver are original content written by our team, based on established facilitation practices. This method was inspired by work from SessionLab library (Andy Pearson).