Art Development – Part 7

The final stage in art development is called The Stage of Realism and takes place between 10-12. Realistic drawing is the desired goal, and children often become frustrated with the conflict between how something looks and the previously stored information that prevents their seeing the object as it really looks. Children struggle with perspective, foreshortening and other spatial issues as they learn to see. This frustration leads to The Crisis Period – the stage at which most people, young and old, abandon drawing. Frustration sets in and takes over the drawing experience and individuals become paralyzed from ever drawing again.

Artists work through this stage learning technique. Drawing techniques based on relationships between edges, space, and light. How these elements work together are key to retraining your brain from symbol drawing to realistic drawing. Working through the Crisis Period avoiding judgement is key. Focus on learning the techniques and the realism will come.

When learning to draw (or learning how to do anything as an adult), imagine the playfulness of the scribble stage, the discovery of symbols, the ability to put things together with stories, problem solving in layout and landscape, details in complexity, and techniques learned throughout realism. If you get to a drawing or any of life’s challenges this development can help guide you through. Maybe more playfulness is needed, or lack of inhibition. Maybe more focus, maybe play with organization or perhaps more research is needed to have something come together.

Betty Edwards Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain http://www.drawright.com/