Drawing is civilization’s most simple and natural forms of art. But isn’t drawing only for artsy-types?
No. It is for everyone!
While the world becomes increasingly wired, hectic, and turbulent, drawing remains the purest form of self-expression. No filters, No Apps, No technology, No photoshop, Just you.
Sometimes, art makes us happy; sometimes, it makes us uncomfortable
For example, the illustration shown here.
It can be a little hard to stomach. The colors are soft and cozy; it feels quiet, and simple. The man with his sweet kitty are easy to understand. Only when you begin to look at the whole picture do you see the other animals; the whole meaning evolves. Pawel used his skills to depict war, corrupt politicians, life and death.
Pioneer illustrator, Robert Weaver, said, “we have to show the notion of left-handedness and depict crime on the street, not a couple on a date,”
..and that is what Polish Illustrator, Pawel Kuczynski does. He created something powerful.
Drawing is a bit of a forgotten art form. Most people don’t doodle everyday. Let’s try an experiment. Sit down, and take a pencil. Try drawing something simple—for example, a cow. It doesn’t have to be a happy cow, or an existential cow, just a simple cow.
Does it feel strange to try to piece it together? We all know what circles, triangles and squiggles look like, but how do those form a cow?
With some practice, this process not only gets easier, but it helps your mind grow. It helps you, up in that brainy gray matter, visualize forms. You learn how to put lines together and create a picture. Through practice, you can take these mental images, break them down, and put them on canvas.
Drawing is civilization’s most simple and natural forms of art
Did you know the history of art is almost as long as the history of our entire species?
Art dates back to when humankind first made tools. It shares secrets about every shift and era in history. Its uses range from scientific notations, to happy ballerina paintings, to technical design. Don’t forget, even those lazy scribbles in your middle school math notebook were primitive art.
40,000 years ago, early humans were decorating their cave walls with illustrations. It’s possible these paintings were vast social commentaries, but, more likely than not, they were simple doodles. In fact, primitive art looks just like those scribbles in your mathbook—simple caricatures of simple objects. However, there was also a special style called “finger fluting.” Prehistoric artists drew shapes and patterns using their fingertips. It’s not terribly pretty, and you wouldn’t want it on your living room wall. Still, it’s a sign that early humans valued self-expression. They weren’t just killing giant mammals for fur; they were busy creating art.
Over the following 3,000 years, drawing evolved and became more stylized. The Greeks and Romans focused on realism. They wanted their art to actually look like the subject. Physical correctness was most important. Conversely, Islamic and meditative art was pattern-based. Rather than painting a person or place, the image was a bundle of beautiful sweeping shapes and intricate designs.
Art continued to develop until, finally, the 1800’s brought Impressionism and its whimsical swirls of color. Rather than drawing an object exactly how it looked, artists drew their impression of an object. Monet, Van Gogh, and other impressionists, used layers, lines and dots to create a mind-boggling effect. Their art wasn’t simply a caricature; it was an interpretation. It excited the imagination and inspired audiences to use their creativity. This style spiraled into a whole new world of art: the age of “-isms,” including the creatively named “post-impressionism,” “expressionism,” “dadaism,” and many others.
Artists everywhere were developing different styles to express their particular skills and ideas. Now, more than ever before, art was expected to push boundaries; rigid “rules” about proper style were slowly forgotten.
Finally, in the mid 19th century, cartoons began to evolve. They took political commentary to a new level. Through cartoons, artists could criticize politics quickly, and with more bite. Suddenly, words and ideas were more important than an image. This snowballed the use of art for political and social reasons. However, the last century brought along even more amazing developments in art.
Art styles of the 20th century developed alongside technology. The 1990’s ushered in a massive shift. Everyone and their dog used cameras and made art.
100 years ago, an illustration would be a primary, active, medium. It would be the “main attraction,” whereas today that is not the case. We see thousands of images every day on the internet and television. Even kids can photoshop a simple image into art. A single photograph can no longer stand alone as a whole story. Still, the power of drawing and creation hasn’t changed. While the world becomes increasingly wired, hectic, and turbulent, drawing remains the purest form of self-expression. No filters. No photoshop, Just you.
But isn’t drawing only for artsy-types?
No. It is for everyone!
Draw something.
The Big Draw,Doodle-ins, Dine and doodle – People gather together and draw, even when they have no training. You don’t have to search your soul, travel the world, or spill your deepest feelings, just draw something. Anywhere. Sit back and let something come to you. When you start to get lines, ideas, or a corner piece, you’ve already started.
All you have to do is put your pen to paper, and remember to be easy with yourself. Focus on expressing yourself, not an end product. Focus on creating.
Freedom and power grow the more you practice, and begin the moment you try.