THE PHILOSOPHY OF DRAWING

Abstract

Drawing is a peculiar phenomenon of human civilization. This inexhaustible engine of progress usually seems to us as a kind of study, as a preparation for a painting or a sculptural work. This essay proposes to look at drawing as a graphic reflection of fantasy, project and intention, a reflection of firm knowledge or doubt and skepticism, and, finally, offers to look at drawing as a method of studying life. The article provides a brief overview of the stylistic metamorphoses of European drawing, which occurred naturally or by chance. A person who always draws consciously composes, and his composition involuntarily reflects the scheme of the universe, drawn up in the artist's head based on his or her life experience. Every person has this experience, this worldview, this self-professed philosophy, but only a draftsman can show it. Collecting drawings is the most difficult and most impressive of all types of collecting. A drawing-lover discovers the whole world, the most accurate description of the given period of civilization. Since prehistoric times, civilization has been indebted to drawing. The rock drawing of primitive people reflects their vital desires and beliefs. Afterward, the wheel was designed; the steam engine, electricity, aeronautics were invented, space exploration began... and drawing and drafting accompanied all this. Teaching drawing in schools and universities is teaching the methodology of studying nature. From an early age, a person is taught to draw from life, and this is a visual study of an object. The teacher’s task is to show not only to sketch the visible outlines of an object but also to penetrate its structure, in other words, to prepare to fantasize and invent. Meanwhile, in schools and universities, it has become a custom to draw imitating photography as much as possible. Photography is the most democratic way of depicting; however, it is only a one-time, random image of an event. Drawing, on the other hand, accumulates several things. A metaphor, conclusion, knowledge, or ignorance, the struggle against victories and defeats, doubts, and confidence appear involuntarily in a drawing. Drawing is action, movement of thought, and religious beliefs, whereas photography is stagnant. However, it is precisely this stagnation, rigidity that is cultivated by fashionable modern artists. Moreover, adherents of photorealism develop the ridiculous coincidences so often found in photographs. Sculptors, architects, and jewelers make the most exciting drawings. Sculptors seem to see through an object, like an X-ray. They want to show volume on a plane. Architects imagine the organization of space and the interaction of volumes. All these aspirations, all these fantasies make drawing uniquely expressive and intelligent.