Drawing as the Tool of Creativity for Art Studies

Abstract Book of the 3rd International Conference on Art Studies

Year: 2026

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Drawing as the Tool of Creativity for Art Studies

Merike Trubert

ABSTRACT:

Since the 1960s, approaches to teaching drawing within art education have undergone significant transformation. Drawing was brought to the centre of attention during the reassessment of the materiality of the art object. Emphasis was laid on drawing as a process—an experimental, exploratory means of creation. Contemporary art studies usually combine rendering the surrounding reality with the conceptual approach. As the definition of “drawing” has expanded beyond graphic means, drawing has become a flexible discipline for experimentation. Consequently, drawing instruction today integrates multiple dimensions: life drawing, abstraction, experimentation. One effective method for combining the fundamentals of life drawing with creative exploration is croquis drawing— rapid sketches of male and female nudes. It enables students to simultaneously engage their knowledge of human anatomy, analytical skills and sense of spontaneity in the pursuit of cohesive artistic expression. Experimenting with different drawing supports and media contributes to the improvement of technical skills. The use of limited—and progressively shorter—timeframes for each pose trains students’ perception of time, sharpens analytical speed, and fosters inventiveness and immediacy. Croquis drawing does not require extensive prior training, it serves as a useful tool for both beginners and advanced students. It provides an adaptable framework that supports skill development at an appropriate pace while encouraging the emergence of a personal artistic style and approach. Integrating life drawing with creative, multimodal art exercises provides a valuable tool to similarly enhance secondary school students’ technical proficiency, observational acuity, and creative inventiveness. Limited space and resources require a creative approach.

Keywords: Creativity; Croquis Drawing; Life Drawing; Observation; Spontaneity