Mark making is one of the oldest forms of communication we have.
Drawing – of symbols – was the first way we communicated with each other across time and space.
Of course we have language, and the Internet now. Much more efficient.
Why do we still draw?
I don’t think there’s a simple answer to that question – or, I think that there are many answers.
Yours may be different from mine.
I run a members forum for drawing, what I call an art practice community, called Creative Triggers. The other day, one of our longest running members posted something on the members’ forum that I will never forget.
His name is Steve, and it’s his personal story of his three-year journey (so far) of learning to draw.
What follows is in Steve’s own words:
It’s now officially three years since I started art. And I mean art as in deliberately doing a quick sketch, a drawing, a painting, things along those lines. Art for art’s sake.
I hadn’t actually drawn anything for the sake of drawing since childhood.
Reasons for taking it up?
- Firstly, I was looking for a way to help relieve the stress of working in a busy computerised office environment and putting pen to paper is about as analogue as you can get, utilising the brain in a different way.
- Secondly, I’ve always had an interest in the brain’s workings. One of these was around plasticity, how habits are formed, why meditating monks have specific physical differences in their brains as compared to me as an office worker, the skills vs talent discussion, etc.
- Thirdly, I happened to mention to a friend about how I’d always wanted to learn drawing but I made this statement – “I can’t draw though”. It just so happens that unknown to me, she had been doing watercolour painting for years and insisted that I get a pad and pencil and just get on with doing it rather than talking about it or caring about the result.
Whilst I still consider myself to be a ‘newbie’ in the art world I have just been looking through some of my recent pictures over the past few months, not just ‘finished’ artworks but even some practice pieces.
I can say for sure that had I seen these three years ago and been asked “Could you ever draw something like that?” then the answer would’ve been a “no” for the majority of them.
Interestingly, I think that had I been asked “Could you draw something like that given two hundred hours of practice?” then the answer would’ve most likely have been “maybe”.
The Power of Practice
So I think the difference there is that if presented with a challenge of spending what seems like a vast amount of time on one thing then it just sounds scary and implausible maybe. Whereas, the reality is somewhat different.
Taken step-by-step, not even hour-by-hour, but minute-by-minute – then it actually pans out as a far more realistic prospect.
As mentioned above, I didn’t consider myself to have any artistic talent before. To some extent I still feel the same, but I would say that I’ve gained a degree of artistic skill.
I’ve read people brimming with positivity, stating “your goals/dreams are achievable”.
Well I’d agree in as much as you’ve really got to want it not just half want it. You’ve got to be prepared to challenge yourself constantly and also you need to be resilient against the plain fact that you will fail along the way. Failure (and then not giving up) has been essential in my progress. I’ve posted up plenty of “failures” so far
The Change
The single biggest change to me I’d say compared to three years ago is in observation. I notice so much more now – shapes, patterns, details, to some small extent colours. Features that wouldn’t have registered before I’m now noticing or actively looking out for.
This is that double-edged sword of course, as commented elsewhere, the better you get the more critical you get. So a drawing of my own that I may have previously felt quite proud over I’d now shudder at the cack-handedness of it.
But I’d rather it be this way because it means I can look at a few simple dirty lines penned by one of the Masters and appreciate to a greater degree what I’m actually seeing. I now see motion where previously was scribble, 3D form where previously was just a lighter or darker ‘bit’.
So that’s the last three years.
Whereas before I’d maybe have asked myself “do you really want to spend another three years at this art malarky?”, the question now would be more like “how much of this art malarky can I fit into the next thirty years, assuming I live long enough”.
It’s now embedded into who I am and would take several months of refusal to practice to lose it. I can’t think of any reason why that would ever happen. I bet if I’d had a Before/After brain scan there’d be a little developed synapse somewhere.
Why did this touch me so deeply?
Because it’s a story of persevering despite discomfort and difficulty, and that’s something we all have to do if we want to make art a meaningful part of our daily lives.
But more than that, it touched me because it’s a story of personal change and growth.
Steve’s ideas about why he draws have changed as he’s worked through the process of getting a regular drawing habit established and begun building his skills.
He has changed. His brain has changed (physically too – that’s how we learn). His relationship to the world he moves in has changed.
I’m sure he could never have envisioned this when he started.
To me, that’s the real meaning of drawing. It’s a way to become – an endless journey of becoming.
And in a very personal and meaningful way, Steve is Learning to See.
So I have one question for you today:
Why do you draw?
Please share your thoughts in the comments.
Best wishes and thanks for reading,
Paul
The Keys to Colour - Free 6 step email course
Learn how to:
- mix any colour accurately
- see the value of colours
- lighten or darken a colour without messing it up
- paint with subtle, natural colour
When I read Steve’s post it resonated very deeply within me and I identified with his account of the process over the last 3 years. I could have not said it any better. We are the collectives! The Borg in the universe of creativity.
Steve, I love your commitment to keep drawing and you are an inspiration to all of us.
Time flies when you are having fun and I have been at this drawing thing since June 12, 2013. I started painting in oil in the summer of 2010 and still practice. I have learned a lot, but took 10 steps back to start at the beginning in learning to see and draw what I see. Creative triggers has been my shinning beacon to show me the way, thank you Paul. I love what we do and in time (time management) I will post more often. I still do the work and loving it. I do see better now than I did 2 years ago…smile.
Helga
I agree Helga, Steve is an inspiration to me too, especially his good humour in the face of difficulties!
Thanks very much for the kind words.
This is a really inspiring post.. Art for arts Sake…. Fun, enjoyable
That’s what it should be, a journey,
I have now given up drawing and painting having been at it for 10 years. Due to feeling my art isn’t ‘good enough’ and drawing and painting in a style to suit others, pressured to exhibit/sell, I lost my voice and all inspiration… And feel sick at the prospect of picking up a paintbrush or pencil…
Thank you for the post, it really is a refreshing perspective
Rachel
Hi Rachel,
I’d give you the same advice I gave to Amy below.
Find some uninterrupted time in your day, just 5 or 10 minutes. Try not to have any preconceptions about what you’re going to draw. Do a low-pressure exercise to start with, drawing a mandala or perhaps the Breathing Lines exercise:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqeTTFBv7To
(I’m using brush and ink in that video, but you can just as easily do it with pencil or charcoal)
Please do contact me if you want some help with this.
First of all, I’m not English native speaker, so I have something conversation issue.but I really want to talk you.
when I was young I really loved all about drawing and painting. I just love them.
I have won many art contest before 18years old.
now I’m graphic artist 33years old.
but I scared. I’m so scared of myself.
Because now I draw only for money .
I only painted I want to be famous.
Am I O.K? I hate myself.
Hi Amy, thanks for commenting.
Yes, you are ok. You’re fine. I think it might help you to do something to help you feel better about yourself.
Put aside a little time in your day, just 5 or 10 minutes. Early morning is best. Make a clear space somewhere, and keep this just for the drawing you do for yourself, somewhere you wouldn’t usually work. Get a new sketchpad, just for this practice.
Take a few deep breaths to relax, then pick up a pencil and draw whatever comes into your head. Don’t worry about what it is. Try not to think about it too much. Just draw something. Then close your sketch pad.
Do this every day for a week, then email me (paul at learning-to-see.co.uk) and we can talk about how we can help you keep moving forwards.
You might want to try drawing a mandala in your morning drawing time. There are lots of videos on youtube which will show you how. I like this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFabCq-M0CA
I think it will help you to take just a small, simple step towards doing something just for yourself. It might help you to reconnect to what it is that you have always loved about drawing.
I love this.
Such a great example of someone taking the first steps on a path, despite masters being perched on top of the mountain it leads to already.
Drawing to explore ones Own life, ones Own territory, without catering to the inner critic telling us that we’ll never be good enough.
Why do I draw?
I long to make visible the ineffable, express the unfathomable… there is an amazing feeling when a piece just clicks together, and tells you something you know deep down but could not describe in any way other than “saying” this painting.
Moving across the paper or canvas is a dance, and dancing is its own goal – movement in pace with the Kosmos.
In a way, I have no say over what comes out of me. I am discovering who I am as I draw and paint, as my innards pour out for us to divine meaning from.
Creating is also a way to test myself. Can I replicate that complex natural effect? Do people’s eyes believe it? And can I maintain the discipline to finish that painting in two months, like I promised?
“Flow unlocks the adjacent possible.”
Flow is what it comes down to, ultimately… being in that flow state, at the edge of the impossible, yet taking ‘leap after leap in the dark’ (a quote I read in the book, the Artist’s Way) is the most aweseome thing in this life.
Being in flow more, with whatever activity, increases the amount of flow in the rest of our lives.
That’s why I create, and what I am passionate about.
Thank you for the question, Paul!
Paul, thanks for your good work with these regular posts.
Why do i draw? Enjoyment. I enjoy those little moments when i feel creative, when i feel like i have produced an interesting sketch or painting, something new for me. I enjoy the way i observe more around me, more colours and interesting shapes / patterns, as a result of sketching from life. I have been drawing on and off for fifteen years, and find it good stress relief for life and work demands. My skills and voice are slowly developing, but i am in no rush, it is the journey i am enjoying.
I am glad i started drawing, although I waited / wasted four years from my initial desire to try it before I started. Steve’s story should encourage others with the desire to draw to start right now.
I draw.. i don’t know why really i draw and paint. May be for capture the things i like? for be remembered in the stone of the Story?! . I know that it is anattitude that I discovered at 15 and now as pensioned I try to draw and paint better than past times. It Is not easy but….