Why Draw?

 

“Drawing is the root of all knowledge.” – Michelangelo

Most children love to draw – it’s a undeniable fact that doodling on a piece of paper will keep any young child entertained. However, this love for drawing disappears once we hit adulthood – yet there are so many benefits to keeping up a lifestyle of sketching or drawing. Here we highlight a few answers to the question: WHY DRAW?

1. WHY DRAW? On the simplest level, drawing introduces to you a new way of seeing and understanding the world. Through observation and increased awareness of your surrounding that comes with being especially conscious of your environment, drawing will allow you to facilitate your focus and concentration in being present in the moment, something that is hard to come by in our information-saturated and busy lifestyles today

 

2. WHY DRAW? The most fundamental basis of drawing is translating what’s in your mind’s eye, something that purely exists as thought, onto paper. In other words, the process of visualisation – creating images or diagrams through visual imagery, to communicate both abstract and concrete ideas. This process is one that has prevailed since the dawn of man – earliest examples can be seen in cave paintings and Egyptian hieroglyphs. Drawing, as a visual language utilising signs and symbols, is one that is universal and transcends cultures. It is also relevant in many fields beyond the arts, such as science, education, engineering, product design… the list is endless.

Drawing regularly and incorporating it into your daily routine hence helps to hone this ability. Visually exploring an idea with a pencil encourages the imagination, original thinking, flexibility and adaptability. Being able to visually express yourself effectively through lines and marks hence provides you with a tool to move ideas from your mind to paper. Learning to develop this level of communication through drawing is something that takes study, time and practice.

3. WHY DRAW? Drawing can help improve your hand-eye coordination and motor skills. Through constant practice, you will develop an attuned understanding and sensitivity of how to control the pencil, harmonising your hand, eye and mind.

 

4. WHY DRAW? Drawing is unique that it engages and challenges both sides of the brain – the logical left side and the creative right sight. This constant active participation of your brain while you draw stimulates your mind and results in a strong and active brain that can be a much-needed release from the stresses of everyday life.

5. WHY DRAW? Drawing will develop your “eye” – namely increasing your observation and understanding of form and shape. Not only increasing your perceptual observation, it also helps you to improve your intuitive comprehension of proportions, relationships, compositions and distances when sketching.

6. WHY DRAW? Lastly, drawing, for many artists and individuals, is a way of expressing emotions that may be too complex to express in words. For others, it is a creative outlet to vent and serve as a carthasis, as a means of therapy and stress relief. In addition, it acts a means to record a moment in time – be it a moment of emotions, events or environment. What could be better to create something out of nothing, to fill an empty page and bring your thoughts and imagination to life? Drawing should be enjoyable and pleasurable, a fun and meaningful way to spend your time.

 

In conclusion, it isn’t difficult to see how drawing is much more than just mere doodling. Learning to draw effectively and incorporating it as part of your lifestyle can yield multiple benefits, and what better way to spend your free time meaningfully stimulating your imagination & mind, as well as learning new skills of observation, creativity and communication.

And if you don’t know where to start picking up the pencil, why not join us at VAC for our Drawing & Sketching course? Specially targeted at beginners and all levels of experience, you will learn basic concepts of proportion and composition, and learn to represent and give weight to objects using shading (light, contrast, representation/form). More information can be found here: https://visualartscentre.sg/courses/drawing-sketching/.

The first simple step is to pick up a pencil & a sketchbook! Everyone has to start somewhere, and as Joyce A. Myers said:

“A #2 pencil and a dream can take you anywhere.”

For more inspirational content about art, check out our blog: https://visualartscentre.sg/blog/

If you liked this post, you may like: “6 Tips to Start Painting Today!”

All images belong to their respective owners.

Credit & further inspiration:

https://www.theodysseyonline.com/10-reasons-why-drawing-is-good-for-you
http://community.saa.co.uk/paintmagazine/step-by-step/drawing-on-versatility-sketching-and-drawing-to-improve-your-painting
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ByzJTqzCUAA7aT2.jpg
http://useast.mymarkettoolkit.com/drawingsketching_avidhobby_com/images/hobby_drawing-and-sketching.jpg
https://annadoherty.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/cave.jpg?w=590&h=443
http://www.veronicalawlor.com/?p=2168
http://patperry.net/sketchbook
http://www.alice-duke.com/sketchbooks-and-drawings/

Foundation In Digital Art

Embark on a captivating journey into the vibrant world of digital art! Our Foundation in Digital Art workshop invites budding creatives aged nine and above to unleash their imagination and hone their artistic skills in a dynamic, supportive environment. From mastering basic digital tools to crafting mesmerizing digital masterpieces, children will explore a spectrum of techniques guided by seasoned mentors. Through hands-on activities and interactive sessions, participants will discover the endless possibilities of digital expression while fostering creativity and critical thinking. Join us for an exhilarating adventure where young artists transform ideas into stunning visual realities, igniting a passion for digital art

Colour & Texture Exploration With Acrylic Painting & Collage

Prepare to unleash your inner artist in a kaleidoscope of color and creativity with ‘Colour Blast: Acrylic Painting & Collage Techniques’! Dive into a whirlwind adventure where vibrant hues and mesmerizing textures collide in a symphony of imagination. From mastering the art of seamless color blending to discovering the magic of mixed media collage, this journey is a playground for your artistic soul. With each brushstroke, explore new techniques that breathe life into your canvas, transforming it into a vibrant tapestry of expression. Join us and let your creativity run wild as you embark on this colorful escapade!”

World of Manga [Foundation & Styling]

A manga art workshop for children and teenagers sounds like a fantastic idea! Here’s how you might structure it:
Introduction to Manga: Begin by introducing what manga is, its history, and its influence on popular culture worldwide. Show examples of different manga styles and genres to give participants an overview.
Basic Drawing Techniques: Start with the fundamentals of drawing, such as line work, shapes, and proportions. Provide step-by-step instructions on how to draw basic manga characters, focusing on simple shapes that can be built upon.
Character Design: Move on to character design concepts, including creating unique characters, designing their personalities, and developing backstories. Encourage participants to get creative and think outside the box.
Expression and Emotion: Teach how to convey emotions and expressions through facial expressions, body language, and positioning of characters. This can be a fun and interactive exercise where participants practice drawing various emotions.
Storytelling and Paneling: Explore the basics of storytelling in manga, including paneling techniques, pacing, and layout. Show examples of different panel structures and discuss how they affect the flow of the story.
Inking and Coloring: Introduce participants to inking techniques using pens or markers. You can also cover digital inking for those interested. Then, demonstrate basic coloring techniques using markers, colored pencils, or digital software.
Feedback and Collaboration: Provide opportunities for participants to share their work and receive feedback from their peers and instructors. Encourage collaboration by having them work together on short manga projects or collaborative drawings.
Final Showcase: End the workshop with a showcase of participants’ work. This could be in the form of an exhibition, digital gallery, or printed booklet. Celebrate everyone’s creativity and progress throughout the workshop.
Remember to create a supportive and encouraging environment where participants feel free to express themselves and explore their creativity. And don’t forget to have fun! Manga is all about imagination and passion, so let that spirit shine through in your workshop.

Academy Drawing Traditions

The academy drawing and sketching tradition, rooted in centuries of artistic practice, emphasizes disciplined study of form, proportion, and technique. Originating from Renaissance workshops and formalized by institutions like the Royal Academy, it prioritizes meticulous observation and mastery of fundamental skills. Students progress from basic exercises to complex compositions, learning to depict still life and common objects with precision and expression. This tradition values both classical principles and innovation, encouraging artists to push boundaries while maintaining a deep respect for tradition. Through rigorous training and critique, artists within this tradition cultivate a strong foundation for creative exploration and artistic excellence.

Chinese Ink Painting and Calligraphy

This course on Chinese ink painting and calligraphy introduces young learners to the rich traditions of Chinese art. Through hands-on activities, students explore the basics of brush techniques, ink control, and the delicate art of Chinese script. They learn to appreciate the cultural significance of calligraphy and painting, developing skills in creating elegant strokes and expressive brushwork. The course fosters creativity, patience, and fine motor skills, while also providing insights into Chinese history and aesthetics. By the end, children gain confidence in their artistic abilities and a deeper understanding of Chinese cultural heritage.

Funk with Graffiti

Funk With Graffiti Workshop for children is an engaging and creative program aimed at introducing young artists to the vibrant world of graffiti and funk-inspired street style art. Participants learn the basics of graffiti history, techniques, and safety. Guided by professional graffiti artists, children explore the art of designing their unique tags, emphasizing creativity, expression, and individuality. The workshop includes hands-on activities, from sketching concepts to creating final designs with spray paint on provided surfaces. By the end of the session, children gain confidence in their artistic abilities and an appreciation for graffiti and funk as legitimate forms of street art. Each child completes two original artworks, which they proudly take home, showcasing their newfound skills and personal style.

Batik Tales

In the Batik Introduction Handkerchief Painting workshop, participants will learn the traditional art of batik, a wax-resist dyeing technique originating from Indonesia. The workshop begins with a brief history and overview of batik, highlighting its cultural significance and various techniques. Participants will then observe a demonstration of applying wax with tjanting tools and dyeing the fabric. Following the demonstration, each participant will design and create their own batik handkerchief, applying wax to create patterns and then dyeing their fabric. The workshop concludes with a group discussion, allowing participants to share their creations and reflect on their learning experience.