We’re hearing a great deal about “mindfulness” these days. On talk shows & webcasts, in self-help books & even college-level courses, we are being taught the importance of “staying in the moment.” Of course, the concept of mindfulness is an ancient one & its popularization is not new, either. In fact, I remember first encountering it in the 1960’s while reading books by Alan Watts, whose writings & teachings were responsible for introducing many Westerners to the principles & practices of Zen Buddhism, Taoism, & Hinduism.
A huge benefit of practicing mindfulness, or being present in the moment, is learning to separate ourselves from our thoughts. We can learn to observe them, so to speak, then let them go. The “voice” in our head, which can at times say so very many negative things, eventually loses its power over us. This is very helpful in any situation, but it is essential when learning to draw.
I remember sitting at my drawing bench in art school those first few weeks, struggling to absorb all of the new information, trying to make my hand & eyes work together, attempting to break lifelong habits in order to establish the new ones that would enable me to learn to draw. Well….Let me tell you, my inner voice was positively screeching: What. On. Earth. Do you think you’re doing here? What EVER gave you the idea you could learn to draw?
It was pretty grisly. But I did learn to draw &, in time, I learned to quiet that negative voice. How? By drowning it out with my own real voice. Yes, I would actually talk aloud, albeit softly, about exactly what I was observing while I drew. In other words, I stayed present by literally giving my voice over to the process of drawing, which kept my inner voice – my negative thoughts – from distracting me.
Here’s an example of how it works: Let’s say you are drawing 2 apples positioned side by side. Now focus on a good drawing habit, such as establishing a relationship between 2 objects. Ask yourself which apple is taller, which is wider. What does the shape between the apples look like (negative space)? Actually talk to yourself – aloud – about what you are observing as you draw what you see.
Now move back from your drawing & take another look. Ask yourself what is the most important change you can make in order to advance your drawing. Answer yourself, aloud. Then sit down & make that change. (But remember: Draw your new lines before erasing the old ones!) During this process, if you notice any negative thoughts, don’t dwell on them or try to rebut them in your head; just let them go & re-focus on what you are actually observing. This is what it means to “be in the moment” or to “stay present.”
Practicing mindfulness in the service of learning to draw has an additional benefit: It will bring you closer to entering that blissful realm called “flow.” More about that later…