Posted on April 06, 2022

Joining an Art Class has never been more popular. No longer confined to accomplished artists or retirees, more and more people are taking the plunge and discovering the joys of drawing and painting.

And it’s easy to understand why: from increasing your spacial awareness to improving your mental health, joining an Art Class can have innumerable benefits!

1. Relaxation.

Drawing at home or on your own is a good idea, but it’s easy to get distracted by the ping of a text. The first of our art class benefits is that an Art Class is the best excuse to switch off from the world for an hour or two. Not looking at your phone or answering an email immediately is good for you. Studies have proved that physical and mental health are improved when people draw for set periods of time. In a similar way to meditation, blood pressure drops, tension fades away - and it’s fun!

2. Igniting Your Creativity.

If you sit at a computer all day, then you are probably using the left side of the brain – the analytical, problem solving side. The right side is the creative and intuitive side.

If you are not sure what this means, then think about when you see something you like or don’t like – you instantly know! – that’s the right side of your brain giving you a message. Sometimes we overthink problems using the left brain and get in a muddle. Balance both sides and strengthen that right hand brain by doing something creative. Art Classes doesn’t require very much equipment. All you need is a pencil or a paintbrush, and blank canvas!

3. Improving Your Spatial Awareness!

It’s amazing how we usually draw what we think we see rather than what is actually in front of us. It’s common to be frustrated when our first sketch doesn’t look exactly like the object in front of us. That’s when you are likely to chuck the pencil away and say “I can’t draw” - but the more you draw, the more you learn to see.

Just take a look at coffee cup or stapler in front of you, start drawing it and you’ll notice so many more subtle curves and shapes that you hadn’t noticed before. The first attempts might seem wobbly, but each time you start a new drawing your eyes learn to see more accurately, and you will be surprised how your wider perception of distance and space improves.

4. Boosting Your Memory.

Rather than take a snap of your lunch or a view, make a very quick sketch of it. If you get a pocket-sized sketchbook and make a very quick rough drawing (don’t take more than two minutes). Doesn’t matter how rough or sketchy it is – you will have a better memento of that lunch or day out than if you take a photo.

By drawing a salad rather than simply taking a photo, you’ll find you have to look far more carefully, and your looking skills will get better and better along with your drawing – and your memories of the event.

5. Getting Sociable.

As well as learning a lot of from how other people use the pencil or paintbrush, joining an Art Class is a great way to meet new people with shared interests.

Making the time to socialise and make new friends doing an activity you love can have countless benefits for your long-term mental health and happiness, giving you the much-needed emotional lift you need at the end of a long day.

Original article: https://www.city-academy.com/news/art-class-benefits/

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