If you’ve paid any attention to my social media posts over the last couple of months, you may have noticed that I’ve picked up a new hobby: drawing. I've been drawing and doodling since I was a kid, but I recently decided to try to improve my skills beyond the average artist. Drawing is considered to be the foundation of all other forms of art, so it wouldn't hurt to be better at the basics. However, little did I know that drawing would become such a therapeutic and perspective-shifting hobby for me! Over the past couple of months, my drawings have improved as I learned more techniques and practiced more. But what I didn't realize would happen was how my relationship with myself and my view of the world around me would change! So I wanted to share some of the things I’ve learned since starting to draw regularly, in the hopes of inspiring you to pick up a pen and paper and maybe give it another try.
The first thing I learned as I started to draw consistently was that drawing is like active communication. You have to approach your drawings with a mindset similar to a feedback loop. When I first started drawing, the figures were always so disproportional compared to my subject. I came to realize that it was because I spent more time looking at my paper than my subject! I would take a mental image of my subject and attempt to recreate it from memory. But that approach brought a lot of internal biases and projection onto the drawing. Instead of drawing my actual subject, once my pen hit the paper, I would begin to draw what I thought the subject would look like: how their arm connects to their torso, which shadows warranted a pen stroke, their body position, etc. This mindset skewed my drawing because I was so focused on connecting the next part to the last that I never zoomed out and saw the bigger picture (hehe, pun intended).
The solution was clear: I needed to look at the subject more! This is one of the only instances where comparison is beneficial (I would even say necessary). The more you look at your subject, the more you're studying its true composition. Doing so will allow you to make changes in your drawing to maintain proportions and overall balance! I'm not saying that doing this will make your drawings hyper-realistic, but it will help you better capture the subject in a more natural and proportional way. As a result of this, I've found myself being more observant of my surroundings. I've also noticed that I've become more objective in my thought process, able to quiet my own biases and preconceived ideas before thinking through difficult problems at work or with people. It was a slow process of change, but one that I've definitely noticed since I started drawing!
Another thing I learned was how to live with mistakes. A challenge I imposed on myself early on was only drawing with a pen and ink: I didn't allow myself to “rough draft” with a pencil and eraser first. Once the pen hit the paper, there was no going back from whatever stroke was just made. Drawing is difficult and requires a lot of perseverance. You have to make adjustments as you go to maintain the balance of the composition, but sticking to it can produce a rewarding piece of art. Similarly, in life, it has given me a “no regrets” attitude. I firmly believe that whatever happens, in any situation, we have a responsibility to make the most of it, either for ourselves or for our future. This attitude towards drawing manifests itself in my life by allowing me to roll with the punches, not looking back with regrets, and being able to continue forward with the appropriate adjustments.
In conclusion, drawing is a skill that can be beneficial in many ways. Personally, it has helped me develop important life skills such as patience, observation, perseverance, and focus. In addition, consistent practice has improved my fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, problem-solving abilities, and memory. Whatever your intentions are, I believe drawing is only beneficial, and dedicating time every day to it will drastically improve your life! Whether you are looking to pursue a career in the arts or simply seeking a way to unwind after a long day, drawing is a versatile and rewarding activity worth exploring. Just remember, drawing is a skill that takes time and practice to develop. Don't be afraid to make mistakes and keep trying!