Is It Worth To Learn Drawing? 12 Benefits Of Drawing

I`m sure you`re not the only one who`s ever wondered if it’s beneficial to learn how to draw. Drawing is one of man’s oldest activities, a method of communication that preceded the development of writing. The cave paintings of Lascaux (35,000 – 11,000 BC) and Altamira (15,000 – 17,000 BC) are among the oldest works of art in the world.

So, if drawing is not one of your favorite activities, then I`m sure you`re curious why do people like drawing. Allow me to explain what you need to know about the benefits of drawing.

1. It’s worth learning to draw because it has a beneficial effect on our quality of life. . 
2. Drawing is a great tool in child development, but it also has many benefits for adults. 
3. Drawing develops neural connections between the brain and the muscles of the hand, thereby improving coordination between the eye and the hand. 
4. Drawing also develops imagination, creativity and graphic representation skills that contribute to the development of visual thinking. 
5. In addition, drawing has a good effect on our mental health and sense of aesthetics.

These are important skills not only in art but also in everyday life. 

Drawing can enrich our lives in many ways, whether we are doing it just for fun or for a living. Everyone can learn to draw from scratch, it does not depend on talent, but on our willingness to learn.

Digital drawing tools are very popular today, but if you are a beginner, I recommend using traditional drawing techniques and tools.

12 benefits of drawing for children and adults

1.  Drawing is a way of visual communication

Drawing is a means of communication, as much as writing or speaking. Visual language also has the means of expression by which the artist communicates his message to his viewers.

Mankind has used drawing for communication purposes since ancient times, as evidenced by cave drawings and hieroglyphs.

For people who find it difficult to verbally express themselves, drawing provides an opportunity to communicate their thoughts and emotions.

Visual language also has expressive elements that we need to become familiar with. These include dot, line, texture, shape, color, and tonal value. If we learn the rules of artistic composition, we can create a harmonious drawing that is pleasing to the eye.

Visual language cues also include human gestures, facial expressions, and body language that we learn to observe and interpret. We also use our visual language skills when we want to interpret symbols, pictograms, or images. These skills are also important in understanding visual culture.

2. Drawing helps in the development of observation skills

Drawing influences the way we view our environment, how we see movements, proportions, shapes and colors, and light and shadow. According to a study published on the website of Scientific Research, preschool children who drew their observations retained more information about the given subjects than those who only expressed their observations verbally.

We learn to observe and identify the basic geometric shapes and solids in the things we intend to draw since all forms can be traced back to these basic geometric forms and solids.

Drawing is also important in the development of spatial planning and organizing skills. It also helps in the development of spatial orientation skills.

3. It contributes to the development of our imagination

Drawing is an activity by which we can develop and exercise our imagination. Imagination is the ability to see images through the eyes of our minds. In other words, it is the ability to create images in our minds.

Imagination plays an important role not only in art but also in everyday life. Through it, we see opportunities and solutions to difficult situations.

4. Drawing improves brain function

Drawing helps children develop cognitive ability, but it also has a beneficial effect on brain function in adulthood. It improves memory and concentration. Drawing, because it stimulates the brain, can help people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

5. Drawing helps in the development of fine motor skills

Developing fine motor skills prepares us for manipulative tasks that require the precise use of our hands. The coordination of the eye and the hand also develops through drawing.

The muscles and joints of the hands also develop through drawing. Children develop the use of a dominant hand and a secure pencil grip.

6. Drawing can be stress relieving

Creative activity, such as drawing, reduces the level of Cortisol, known as the stress hormone, and activates the reward center in the brain. That’s why we feel good while drawing.

Expressing our emotions through drawing helps to process them and thus relieves anxiety. It also helps us to process everyday events.

Children often process their experiences by drawing when they depict their positive and negative experiences. Through our children’s drawings, we can gain insight into their emotions and thoughts.

Creativity can also help us with depression, as we can see new opportunities through creative thinking and find a way out of a seemingly hopeless situation.

7. Drawing develops creativity

Creativity is a quality that is useful not only in art but also in our daily lives. Creative people thrive more easily in everyday life, even in difficult situations because they are familiar with creative problem-solving. Developing creative thinking enables us to design, innovate and invent.

8. Drawing develops an aesthetic sense

Our sense of aesthetics develops when we engage in artistic activities such as drawing. The aesthetic sense also develops by viewing works of art. With time and practice, we will learn to recognize and apply the elements and rules of aesthetic composition.

The development of a sense of beauty and good taste will encourage us to make our environment more beautiful and thus improve our quality of life.

9. Drawing improves social skills

Drawing in groups develops the ability to collaborate with other people. Making art in a group provides an opportunity to learn from each other and support one another.

Artistic activity in pairs or group help in the social development of children. It also teaches them to accept praise or criticism from others.

10. Drawing helps us grow in self-confidence

As your graphics skills get better with practice, so will your self-confidence and self-esteem. We can also increase the self-confidence of our children by praising and appreciating their drawings.

11. Drawing helps in the development of critical thinking

Critical thinking means analyzing, assessing, and processing the information that flows to us before accepting it. This is one of the most important skills that should be acquired at an early age.

Critical thinking allows information to be analyzed, interpreted, assessed, and selected. It is a process of unbiased, neutral thinking, which will result in a well-founded, logical conclusion.

12. Drawing doesn’t cost much, anyone can afford it

Drawing is a creative activity that doesn’t cost much, you don’t need any special, expensive equipment. If you have a graphite pencil, a sheet of paper, and an eraser, you already have everything you need.

It is fun to experiment with various drawing tools such as charcoal, pen and ink, or colored pencils. You can also try to draw on different papers and surfaces.

Drawing doesn’t require a lot of space, just adequate light. You can draw almost anywhere, at home or outdoors.

Final thoughts

Drawing is a joyful and creative activity that provides an experience of success. Our drawings can be a means of self-expression for us, they can communicate our thoughts, emotions, and mood to the viewers.

The personality-developing effect of drawing is clear and scientifically proven. It boosts our self-confidence and helps in the development of important skills and abilities, such as creativity, visual and critical thinking, good aesthetic taste, precision, and more.

Everyone can learn to draw, it does not depend on innate talent but diligence. The more you practice, the better you will become.