A quick glimpse at social media, or a walk through an art gallery, and there is every chance that you are likely to see some incredible artwork. As well as the classic landscape and portrait photographs, we also see comic book art, anime, fanart for bands and movies, and many other forms of artwork.
Most of us attempt to draw and paint when we’re kids. Art classes are a big part of school, but drawing for adults can seem a little bit more daunting, especially when we see what incredible work there is being done in the world.
Whatever age you are, there are a lot of different benefits to art and artistic pursuits. We explore the benefits of drawing and painting for kids and adults alike in this guide. It doesn’t matter if you are producing the world’s next great masterpiece or if you are just trying your hand at something new.
Benefits of Painting and Drawing
There have been a lot of different studies relating to painting and drawing that have taken place over the years. Both scientific and anecdotal evidence shows us that the benefits of drawing and painting are numerous.
Art Reduces Stress
Artwork can reduce your stress, and spending time engaging in the hobby is a good way to take some downtime and do something that is constructive at the same time.
Art can also help people to get into an almost-meditative state of flow. People strive to achieve this state and there are different ways to do it. Some achieve it through sports, writing, instruments, and of course through painting and drawing.
Creating artwork can also provide you with a way to take your mind off of the things that are worrying you. It doesn’t matter if they are good drawings or masterpiece paintings, or if they look like something a three-year-old could have created, the process is what is important. It is acting as a distraction and a way to reduce your stress.
Improving Your Memory (and Slowing Effects of Ageing)
A number of studies have shown promising data regarding the impact on art on your brain and its ability to remember things. When you are drawing or painting you are using your brain’s storage and recall skills. You’re flexing certain proverbial “muscles” which can help you to get better at remembering techniques and even visual aspects of what you are drawing.
Throughout the history of art, many artists have continued long into old age, and often refined and developed their skills. It is a good idea to continue to engage in a creative pursuit, and it doesn’t have to be the best drawing in the world. Instead, you can simply learn how to draw some basics and give your brain a workout.
Creative Expression
“Everyone can be creative, whether they realize it or not. A lot of people tend to think creativity is binary: Either you have it, or you don't.”
GCF Global
We all get something slightly different out of creating, and there are so many ways to be creative. Painting and drawing art projects are some of the more stereotypical ways to be creative. However, people can be creative in their jobs, finding new ways to complete tasks and understand problems and solutions in a new way.
Being regularly creative can give you a new approach in life, open up new possibilities and just give you the chance to express your feelings.
While it is true that some people are far more drawn to creative pursuits, if you’re of the opinion that you are not creative, it is simply not true. We all have the chance to get involved in painting and drawing and this can make you more creative in other aspects of your life.
GCF continues: “So the next time you think, I'm not creative, or I'm not as creative as some other people, take a step back and really take a look at what you do on a day-to-day basis. You might be surprised at how often you're using creativity.”
Problem Solving
Problem solving and creativity are closely linked, of course. One of the ways that painting and drawing can help both children and adults is the fact that it helps to build problem-solving skills.
Not everyone thinks of art as problem-solving, but it certainly is. When you are drawing or painting you need to find a solution. In fact, it is a huge part of creating anything artistic. Whether this means having to mix the ideal colour, find the right technique for shading, or master the perspective on a certain drawing or painting.
Flexing your skills and constantly trying to find solutions to these problems again provides a way for people to build their skills of “thinking outside the box” (for want of a better phrase).
It’s Fun
Government figures show that in 2018 to 2019, 77.4% of people aged 16 and over took part in the arts (like going to an exhibition or performing in a play) at least once in the year. Art is a big part of society.
A huge number of people are heavily involved in the arts, and of course, painting and drawing are only one part of this. It is a pretty safe assumption that most people enjoy some form of art, and get something out of creating art.
From simple drawing and sketches through to spending hours a day painting portraits, there is no “right” or “wrong” way to do art.
We shouldn’t forget the benefit of fun. This is something that is a perfectly legitimate reason to get into a new hobby and even easy painting and drawing can be a lot of fun for people of all ages.
How to Get Into Art
What are the ways in which you can get into art? It can feel intimidating as an adult to start painting and drawing. If you don’t have any experience you might even be worried about how poor the quality might be. Remember that this is about enjoyment, just like any other hobby.
- YouTube. YouTube has an incredible resource for pretty much any hobby, and that includes painting and artwork.
- Bob Ross. Yes, we’re going to include the legend that is Bob Ross. He made 31 seasons of The Joy of Painting and while he doesn’t necessarily have the most critical acclaim, he’s a master of some kinds of artwork.
- Private Lessons. You can work with a tutor such as one of those right here at Superprof. There are plenty of tutors who are happy to work with all kinds of abilities. It doesn’t matter if you are a total beginner.
- Classes. Whether you take on a class with a private tutor and a few friends or whether you plan to attend public classes, it can be a great way to learn and spark your creativity.
Whether you’re the sort of person who will engage better alone or you’d rather work with a group of people, there are numerous methods, one of which is likely to work for you.
Painting vs Drawing – Which One is For You?
If you’ve decided to get into artwork, you may need to decide your medium. Of course, there should be no limits here. Whatever kind of artwork you are into, you can always expand, mix your media, and learn how to use other artistic supplies.
Drawing
Drawing has a number of different benefits. It still allows you to flex your artistic muscles and grow your skills but it also does not require you to buy a lot of equipment. A set of pencils and a sketchbook can get you started. You can also do it anywhere.
A lot of people start with drawing, before they move onto painting.
Painting
Painting requires a lot more equipment and probably space for an easel, for instance. However, painting can give people more scope for some more creative projects. Through the history of artwork, the best art out there tends to be painted rather than sketched. If The Mona Lisa had been a sketch, it may not have shown quite the same level of expression.
Whether you choose painting or drawing is a personal choice, and not one that is set in stone, either.
Time to Start Creating Art
If you’ve decided that the benefits of painting are enough to give it a go then you might go out and buy the equipment, and get started.
Artwork can be traced through the entire history of humans, and its benefits are numerous. While some people just like to use it as a way to switch off, others will take it seriously and may even exhibit and show their work to others. Who knows, it could even become a career.
If you want to reap the numerous benefits, from less stress to improved memory, why not start creating artwork today?
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