2 Ways of Drawing
When children draw, they are sometimes lost in their own little world. Almost every child draws on their own—without any guidance. But few adults still do this, or consider themselves good at drawing.Why is that? The two types of drawing—symbolic drawing (which every child does) and realistic drawing—can develop completely independently of one another. Here’s a brief comparison:
Almost all children begin with so-called stick-figure drawings — a form of symbolic drawing that reflects a child’s perception of the world and represents an important developmental stage. This type of drawing can express emotions, situations, and objects.
Children should always have the freedom to express themselves in this way without suggestions, interpretations, or corrections from adults. These drawings are not intended to represent the real world accurately; rather, they reflect the child’s inner perception and function more like an internal dialogue with themselves. This process also supports the development of language and communication skills.
For this reason, symbolic drawings should not be compared to reality or to realistic drawings, and children should not be corrected based on adult expectations or standards.
This style of drawing is independent of the ability to draw realistically. Children are capable of using both forms of drawing in parallel, without viewing symbolic drawing as being “less skilled” or “less valuable.” Most children naturally stop drawing this way around the age of nine.
Realistic Drawings
Realistic drawing, on the other hand, requires practice and guidance — similar to learning a musical instrument or dancing. Before children can express themselves freely in this style, they need experience and an understanding of basic techniques and principles. Of course, there are a few exceptions—some children learn to draw realistically on their own, much as they might teach themselves to play the piano.
Many children who have already stopped symbolic drawing assume that they simply “do not have the talent” to draw realistically. As they grow older, this belief often becomes more deeply rooted.
However, when children are guided in realistic drawing from an early age, they are more likely to continue developing these skills even after the symbolic drawing phase has ended. Most will use these abilities throughout their lives and will also gain the confidence and enjoyment needed to explore other creative projects.
Children are therefore fully capable of practicing both drawing styles independently, without one style diminishing or interfering with the benefits of the other.
To learn more / Sources:
Book: Drawing with children, from Mona Brookes (representational drawing)
Victor Lowenfeld Link to stages of symbolic drawing
