In what way do you think drawing could be fun and relaxing?

Question

As a way to lower the pressure in learning to draw, there are several exercises we can do. I follow the philosophy of the author Betty Edwards, who wrote "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain".

In her book, she emphasizes the importance of quieting the left side of the brain, that she refers to as the L-mode. As your tutor, I would use the book and her viewpoint to teach drawing.

Answer 1

1) You look at the results of what you've done and say, "Wow! I did that!" (Or alternately, you get a compliment like, "That looks even better than the photograph!")

2) Doodling is proven to help memory. Studies have shown that people who take notes on paper remember better than people who only take digital notes. What surprises many people is that people who doodle also remember more than people who only take digital notes. Muscle memory reinforces brain memory.

3) There are several drawing "recipes" (Zentangles, Neurographica, etc) that are used meditatively and/or as a means of connecting to your subconscious. What they have in common is a simple set of rules that evade ego-blockages by removing the expectation that the result has to look like anything, making the process its own reward and a good-looking picture at the end a bonus.

Answer 2

Once you let go of the ego, and embrace the "mistakes" made in art, your creativity will know no bounds! Loosening up your drawings by doing applied and fun exercises, like drawing with your non dominant hand, can lead to astonishing artistic breakthroughs. I try not to focus too hard on the end results of my drawings and paintings, and pay attention to the enjoyment I feel in the process of creating. Learning a new skill can be difficult and frustrating, but that frustration means you are learning and going beyond what you previously thought was possible!

Answer 3

I believe that fine art, especially hands-on fine art in the traditional mediums, is the antidote to modern times. Far too much time is spent on screens and in passive mode rather than being creative. There's a very popular saying, Art Saves Lives which I believe it does. Drawing and painting are relaxing because if you're not distracted by the internet or your cell phone, you can drop into the present moment which is relaxing, peaceful, and can feel joyful. 

There are health benefits to engaging in drawing and painting. It gives one a sense of relief to slow down, notice one's surroundings, and observe the environment, or your subject matter.

Drawing and painting create a sense of calm and serenity due to the fact that you're working with your hands. I know this to be true because I have done art for 45 years and I truly believe that it's healing, fun, and encourages confidence and hope.

Answer 4

The 'magic' of being able to create one's own characters and make them come to life is truly an amazing experience, especially for young minds. Practice in this area leads to additional confidence and continued creative exploration.