Every child is an artist. The problem is to remain an artist once they grow up.
-Pablo Picasso
Do you remember drawing landscapes as a kid? It probably looked something like the one below.
Maybe you didn’t make landscapes, maybe you were more into family portraits such as these.
Whatever it was that you drew, why did you stop? Was it because you never found it interesting ? Or was it because, one day you realised that people have opinions on your creation.
Maybe you saw your friend creating something like this (the picture below) when you yourself were stuck with the skill set only suitable for pictures above.
And you gave up on yourself right away. You might have your own set of reasons to diverge from drawing. Today, I’m creating a set of reasons for you to reunite with it. I hope, by the end of this blog, to convince you to at least consider learning to draw again.
Let’s go!
5 reasons for you to start drawing today.
- Understanding
Humans are visual creatures. It is easier to remember more information when combined with visuals. Drawing helps you engage with the subject and enhances memory retention.
Drawing offers new perspectives on otherwise mundane things around you. You start to look, appreciate and question things in new ways. When you draw something, you spend a considerable amount of time studying the subject and this forces you to pay attention to it’s form, structure, texture and details that you never saw before.
- Communication
Used for communication since stone age
Drawing is a visual language of symbols and representations. Whether you are only drawing stick figures or drawing realistic depictions, this visual language exists across cultures for all who can see and associate. To be able to draw is an opportunity to express yourself beyond the barriers of language, age and community.
- Relaxation
Drawing can help you understand yourself better and lead you towards personal growth through self-expression. When you are non-judgmental and open up your definition of what a “good drawing” is, drawing can be a very calming activity.
From uniform continuous lines and patterns to chaotic scribbles and detailed patient works, drawing can find various ways to sooth your mind if you let it. The repetitive motion of drawing leads to what is called the relaxation response which helps in releasing stress. With drawing you can focus all your attention on shading, texture, shape, colour and let go of the things you were worrying about.
- Satisfaction
Drawing builds confidence, for the open minded. Don’t fixate on trying to make people like your drawing. Instead learn from your bad drawings. And believe me, there are going to be many bad drawings. But as you keep trying, every bad drawing will start to feel less and less like a disaster and more like a learning experience. As drawing is inadvertently documented, it is easy to look back and track your progress. Unlike intangible forms of activities, you’ll have laid out proof of your improvement. This fills you up with satisfaction and further boosts your self-esteem.
- Visualization
Drawing increases your visual library. It gives you the ability to visualize your thoughts and ideas. It is a way to bring your imagination to existence on a paper. But it’s not just a way to record and document your ideas. Drawing can be experimented with and be used to develop new ideas. Once you give your imagination and creativity free rein, you will unfold new ways to express yourself artistically.
Takeaway.
Drawing is not “a gift that only a few talented people have”. It is a skill like reading, writing or walking! It can be developed over time.
Start drawing at your own pace. Nobody expects you to draw like Da Vinci right away. So, don’t rush it. Drawing is for your own enjoyment and having a richer sense of yourself, ultimately.
Draw because you have nothing to lose. What if you take a week to learn shading? No matter what, you’ll have a better understanding of light than you did before.
Image Credit: Mugdha Basak