So You Think You Can’t Draw (and Why That Isn’t True)
Whenever you stopped drawing is the age you draw at now 🤯.
Is your mind blown? So was mine when I heard that for the first time.
That’s why grown-ups have such a hang-up about drawing. If they stopped when they were five, they still draw like a five-year-old. If you stopped at 14, you draw like a 14-year-old.
Art is usually the first thing to go when academics take over, or the budget for art gets cut when you're in grade school. As a result, we perceive that art is only for “creative” people, or that it doesn't serve a purpose other than something pretty to look at.
Drawing as an adult is different than as a kid or an artist. Drawing as an adult can, of course, be something that you do just for fun, but it can also be very purposeful.
Why You Think You Can’t Draw
Whether it’s that you think drawing has no purpose or that it is an over-emphasis on perfection, it’s all in your head.
Everyone has some mental hang-up about why they can’t draw.
10 excuses we hear ALL. THE. TIME.
I’m not creative…
I’m not an artist…
It has to be pretty to be good…
It doesn’t look like what’s in my head…
Lefties can’t draw…
This will take too long to do well…
I can’t make money from this…
Drawing isn’t serious…
I can’t use this at work…
I can’t even draw a stick figure!
I promise none of these are true. Take a deep breath and set these attitudes aside. It’s time to change your mind about drawing and the purpose it serves in your life right now.
Hey, Lefties! If you’ve been told you can’t draw or write because of being left-handed, our online Visual Facilitation course includes a special “Lefties Start Here” lesson with Guest Instructor Dean Meyers.
Why Grown-Ups Should Draw
Not only is drawing fun, but it helps communicate an idea, improve your memory and increases your mindfulness.
It Helps Communicate an Idea
You’ve got a great idea, but you can’t find the words to describe it. Pictures are an original form of language, dating back to our caveman days. You don’t need a rock wall and a pitch ax; just grab your notebook and sketch out how the idea could look.
Architects, educators and engineers have been communicating this way for decades. It doesn’t matter what it looks like, as long as it gets your point across. No matter how bad your stick figures are, be bold and try drawing something to explain it.
Lauren's lecture sketchnotes from graduate school
It Improves Your Memory
I started drawing my notes for graduate school, and to this day, I can remember whole lectures because I remember drawing key points and images from the class. Drawing is proven to increase your focus and memory because it forces you to slow down and take notes with intention.
It Increases Your Mindfulness
The focus required to draw brings you into the present moment, making it an excellent mindfulness practice that can help lower your stress and anxiety. I’ve even found that drawing while listening to difficult topics helps me be less triggered by a subject and better process my feelings.
If you’re a Yogi, you will also love Yoganotes: How to sketch yoga postures & sequences by Eva-Lotta Lamm.
TRY THIS: Brainstorm 5 Opportunities to Practice Drawing (1 min)
This will just take a minute. You already have lots of opportunities to practice drawing. If you attend a meeting, you can practice drawing, and I guarantee it will keep you more engaged in what’s happening and prevent Facebook surfing. Grab a piece of paper and jot down five things you already do where you could start taking visual notes.
Start your visual notetaking journey with our favorite resources for graphic recording, sketchnoting, and digital scribing.
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