A hydraulic drawing cushion (17) for a drawing press (10) includes at least one hydraulic cylinder (21) comprising a piston rod (27) that causes a total force (G) to act on the metal sheet holding ring (20). The hydraulic cylinder (21) comprises a hydraulic work circuit (37) to generate a hydraulic work force (A) in a work direction (Z) to act on a ring part (28) to which a force can be applied on both sides. Independently, a spring force (F) acts on the piston (26). The spring force (F) is neither controlled nor adjusted, but is preset. Preferably, the spring force (F) is exclusively a function of the position or location of the piston (26) relative to the cylinder housing (25). The total force (G) acting on the piston (26) results from the addition of the vectors of the work force (A) and the spring force (F).