Really Bad Art

About this board game

Really Bad Art is a party drawing and guessing game for 3–6 players that takes about 40 minutes to play. The challenge is not poor artistic ability, but having only six seconds to see what you need to draw before putting your interpretation on paper.

At the start of each round, every player secretly takes a card containing two phrases. Examples include “lack of confidence,” “quality of life,” “constructive criticism,” and “yikes!” A color is chosen, and each player draws a representation of the phrase associated with that color.

Once the drawings are finished, the artwork is shuffled together with a dummy card. The resulting cards are laid out next to the game board, creating a collection of mysterious pictures and possible phrases. Everyone then secretly votes on which piece of art matches each card.

• See your phrase for only six seconds.
• Draw a quick visual interpretation of it.
• Secretly match the artwork to the correct cards.
• Score points for correct guesses and for being understood.

Correctly guessing which card represents a phrase earns two points. If other players correctly identify the phrase you were trying to draw, you earn one point, rewarding artwork that communicates even under intense time pressure.

Rounds continue until someone reaches 30 or more points and wins. With its short drawing window, unusual phrases, and secret voting, Really Bad Art turns quick sketches into a lighthearted test of communication and interpretation. Released in 2016, it is designed for groups who enjoy party games built around creativity and guessing.