A Brief History of Drawing: From Early Man to Modern Art
How did drawing begin? What were the first drawings, and how did they evolve over time? How do different drawing styles differ from one another? Read on to learn about the history of drawing from its prehistoric origins through the 20th century, and learn how it developed into one of the most popular art forms today.
What is drawing
We can all draw in some way, but when you break it down into its simplest form, drawing is really just using lines and shapes on a two-dimensional surface (paper) to create an image. It sounds simple enough, but there’s actually a lot more depth and complexity to drawing than you might expect. Even as technology makes it easier than ever for amateur artists to pick up a pencil and start sketching, many professionals still consider drawing skills essential for any serious artist. The history of drawing dates back thousands of years to prehistoric cave paintings, but many trace its true origin back even further in time...
Drawing in Nature
Throughout history, people have looked to nature for inspiration when drawing. Sketching scenes from nature can be one of a number of ways to get ideas for your work. It can also help you figure out composition and design, depending on what you choose to draw. One reason is that it’s easy; when you look at something you find beautiful, chances are there’s something in it that’s inherently beautiful, too. If nothing else, getting outside and exploring your environment is good for your overall well-being and will make you feel better—and who doesn’t want that?
Early Humans
Tools used for drawing evolved alongside early humans and remain a vital part of society today. They helped us communicate and express our ideas from ancient cave paintings, to cave drawings, and on through hieroglyphics and cuneiform symbols. The first available record we have of these tools being used is in prehistoric caves. Here, they were used as pigments with chalk or charcoal as an example. Over time and with changes in culture, we began using rocks instead of chalk and metals like silver, gold, bronze, or iron made their way into our artistic crafts. It wasn't until around 3100 B.C., that Egyptians brought out one of man's first inventions—the potter's wheel—giving them enough time to create what is now known as hieroglyphics.
Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia
The earliest cave drawings have been dated at around 15,000 years old. These images were found in northern Spain and southern France, but it’s likely that there are even older examples waiting to be discovered. Scientists don’t know exactly what was being depicted, but many of these earliest drawings involved animals and hunting scenes. This makes sense given how much influence our surrounding environment has on us. In prehistoric times when survival was a daily struggle for most people, hunting would have been a significant portion of everyone’s diet. As such, learning how to hunt effectively would have been an important skill for all members of society—and communicating that information through art made sense as an evolutionary development.
Renaissance Era
During Europe’s Renaissance era, drawing was a way for people to show their talents and develop new ideas. Artists learned how to improve their drawings by studying figures and proportions that were drawn by other artists. These studies began in ancient Greece, but they became very popular in Italy during the Renaissance. This style of art is sometimes called figural representation because it focuses on detailed drawings of bodies and faces.
Asian Drawings
The origin of drawing is not entirely clear, but some researchers believe humans began picturing things on cave walls as far back as 30,000 years ago. These early drawings were likely used for important ceremonies and for storytelling. While cave drawings are impressive, it was a development in Asia that brought drawing into widespread use by people across cultures. Drawing became more widespread after paper was invented in China around 100 AD.
Contemporary Drawings
What is drawing? People have been sketching, tracing, and making marks for more than 100,000 years. What began as a way to communicate ideas and tell stories has evolved into many styles and techniques. People still use drawings today in much the same way they did thousands of years ago. They create simple sketches as reminders or start complex works that can take months to complete. Drawings can be used simply or be rendered with great detail. The choice is yours. Some famous artists are sketchers who often use very little detail while others prefer detailed renderings that look almost photographic in nature (think medical illustrations). For example, one might draw a quick sketch when planning out an idea or location on a map while another may want something more detailed when documenting information during a deposition testimony.
Famous Artists famous for their drawings
Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Picasso, Rodin and many more. The ancient origins of drawing are associated with cave paintings created by early man in France and Spain. As time went on and people became more creative they started coming up with new ways to express themselves through drawings like Egyptian hieroglyphics or Greek statues that told stories.
DIY Tools Used For Drawing
Are you looking for a great drawing tool? If so, you've come to the right place. These DIY drawing tools are inexpensive and easy to make. The best part is they work great! Here's how to make some basic drawing tools out of household items. Take your time and enjoy! Pencil - For sketching purposes, any pencil will do but for more detailed drawings it's helpful to have a soft lead pencil like 2B or 4B. Paper - This is pretty obvious but still important; you'll need paper to draw on. It should be large enough that it doesn't limit your creativity (small paper means small ideas). A good rule of thumb is that if it takes up more than half of your page then it's too small.
Precautions before drawing
Before you begin drawing, make sure you have everything you need—paper, pencils, a straight edge (ruler or T-square), an eraser and references. Make sure your paper is in a safe place where it won’t be disturbed; pencils are sharp! And once you start working on your drawing, never put it down until it’s finished. Don’t lean over it with a drink in your hand; don’t leave while it’s still in progress. If something urgent comes up, put away your materials immediately and deal with that issue as soon as possible. Even tiny distractions can interrupt your flow.
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