What’s in a drawing? The strength of a sketch

[Guest post by Liz Ackerley in Manchester, UK]

I have been starting to consider what it means to me to sketch. I believe that sketching has a huge amount to offer and really does change my perception and understanding of what’s around me. Here, in a nutshell, are some of the things I see as benefits:

The process of sketching helps calm my mind and focus my attention: I often have difficulty focussing on one thing. But through sketching, I am able to just focus on the drawing, nothing else. It calms my mind and enables me to relax. I become completely absorbed in the drawing and the process, giving me valuable ‘time out’.

It enables development of a better awareness of the world around me and a deeper understanding of the places I live in and visit: Since becoming a member of the Manchester Urban Sketchers, I have developed a greater awareness and interest in the city I live in. The same applies when I visit other places. Through drawing, I am able to unpeel some of the physical layers and develop a better understanding of the place.

It provides me with a record and therefore a clearer memory of an experience: Recording visits and trips as sketches provides sketchbooks to revisit and remember. To draw, I have to study the place/the person/the location so much more than I would usually do. My notes accompanying a sketch provide valuable clues and dimension. Here are a couple of sketches from last year’s trip to Wales. I remember it all the better for the sketches!

It enables me to see the extraordinary in the ordinary: Even the most simplistic of everyday scenes have a depth, substance and interest when looked at carefully.

Sketching enables connection with like-minded people: This Cooperative building in Pendleton, Manchester is a good example. The Manchester Tour Guides posted a picture on social media and it prompted dialogue about the building, its history and encouraged me to go out and draw it!

Sketching gives me a voice and allows me to express my views of the world through a visual diary: There are lots of ways of expressing yourself, but I find drawing to be a great way of self-expression. Through the recording in sketchbooks, adding notes and other memorabilia I have a record of that time and place and of my ‘take’ on the scene.

Through regular practice, sketching enables me to develop my drawing skills and improve my artwork: It is a slow and continuous process but also one where progress is clearly noticeable as time passes-a better sense of perspective, more astute textural detail, a greater awareness of colour and shadow etc. Over time, my ability to see, and to tap into ‘The Right side of the brain’, continues to improve!

Liz Ackerley is a landscape architect and Urban Sketcher based on Manchester UK. She blogs about her sketching adventures here.