The Many Surprising Benefits of Sketching

The Many Surprising Benefits of Sketching

For those of us who are not artists, the act of sketching may seem like a superfluous activity. Why spend time drawing when you could be doing something productive, like writing or working on your to-do list? For those that aspire to become artists, we may think sketching or drawing is a waste of time, but as it turns out, it’s good for us.

Sketching has a lot of benefits, many of which may surprise you. In this blog post, we’ll explore five of the biggest ones. Make a mental note for the next time you think sketching or drawing is unimportant because we are about to explore the many beneficial attributes this creative outlet can provide.

Boosts Creativity

The first benefit of sketching is that it can help boost your creativity. When you’re stuck in a rut, it can be helpful to turn to sketching as a way to jump-start your creative juices. Something about getting your ideas down on paper (or screen) can help you see things in new and different ways. And if you’re feeling really uninspired, try looking through some old sketches for ideas—you may be surprised at what you find!

Helps with Problem Solving

Sketching can also be helpful when you’re trying to solve a problem. Sometimes, the quickest way to figure out the solution is to visualize it first. This is where sketching comes in handy. By spending some time sketching out your problem, you may find that the answer becomes clear much more quickly than if you had just tried to think about it logically.

Reduces Stress

Sketching can also be a great way to reduce stress. The act of drawing can be therapeutic and can help take your mind off of whatever is causing you stress. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, try spending some time doodling or sketching. Don’t overthink; allow yourself to sketch or draw whatever comes to mind. Relax with each movement you make as you draw, release the hecticness from your body and let it flow onto the page.

Improves Memory and Focus

Sketching can also help improve your memory and focus. Studies have shown that the act of drawing something helps people remember information better than just reading or listening to it alone. So next time you need to remember something important, try sketching it out first—it just might help! Additionally, sketching can help improve focus by giving your brain a break from other activities. If you find yourself having trouble concentrating, try spending a few minutes doodling—it could help refocus your attention on what you need to get done.

Teaches Kids (and Adults!) Important Skills

While adults may not think they need to learn how to sketch, there are actually some essential skills that kids (and adults!) can learn from. Sketching helps build and refine coordination, focus, and motor skills. As we age, our bodies tend to lose coordination. Studies have repeatedly shown how important it is for seniors to maintain as much dexterity as possible for their overall health. One study even showed how quickly finger dexterity declined in those who did not practice using them.

So, there you have it, 5 surprising benefits of sketching! Whether you’re looking to boost your creativity, reduce stress, or improve your memory and focus, picking up a pencil and paper (or opening up your computer’s drawing program) and getting started on some sketches is a great place to start. Remember these benefits the next time you think doodling is silly or you feel guilty spending too much time drawing.