Benefits of Sketching
Modern science has shown that the ability to draw is controlled by the right hemisphere of the brain, which also controls observation and silent, intuitive thinking. The verbal, left hemisphere and the nonverbal, spatial, right hemisphere see in different ways. As the two hemispheres of the brain differentiate, at about age 9 or 10, many people revert to drawing from memorized, symbolic images rather than from accurate observation. Thus, a drawn chair ends up having a rectangular back and four equal legs, even though from a distance the back of a real chair looks trapezoidal and its legs appear to have four different heights. Accurate drawing depends more on seeing than on skill controlling a pencil. Learning to draw requires learning to see differently. To activate right-brain observation, draw silently and focus on lines and details, rather than on the whole object. Don\’t name what you see, just copy it. Try the following exercises to activate right-brain drawing.
Finger Drawing
Using the pointer finger of one hand, practice drawing shapes on the paper. When drawing with a finger, it is natural to keep the wrist off the paper. Use this position (wrist off the paper) when drawing with a pencil, to keep the movement free. Use a pencil eraser to practice drawing. With eraser drawing, mistakes are easily corrected and the trail of eraser dust indicates the line to trace over with pencil.
Air Drawing
Air drawing reinforces the kinesthetic relationship of space and line and helps the brain focus on the contour, or outline, of an object. Cover one eye to eliminate depth perception. Then, slowly trace around a model or an object with a fingertip. By slowly tracing around the object\’s edges, students disengage the left hemisphere and access the visual, right hemisphere.
Blind Contour Drawing
Blind contour drawing helps coordinate your eye with your hand and forces you to see more accurately. Make a blinder to hide your drawing by poking a pencil through a small piece of paper. Looking at the edge, or contour, of an object, slowly move the pencil while visually following the contour line. Concentrate on the lines of the object; do not look at the line the pencil is making. Do not lift the pencil; keep it moving on the paper. Notice when the line changes direction and record every detail. Try this 3 times and notice how the lines become more accurate with each attempt.
Contour Drawing
Contour means outline. Contour drawing focuses your eye on the exterior edges of objects. Avoid naming the object\’s parts or shape. Concentrate on recording the curve and direction of the lines, the size and shapes of the spaces, and the distances between the shapes. Glance briefly at the drawing to check proportion, direction, and spacing, but most of the looking should be directed at the object being drawn. Don\’t worry about making an accurate likeness or showing correct proportions. This exercise is not meant to result in a finished drawing. It is for practice seeing the model or object.
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