■ ROA D SCHOL A R AT HO ME the eyes, that is to say, darkness, light, body and color, shape and location, distance and closeness, motion and rest.” Through such concentration, you can “see” details around you, your surroundings and your environment.
Road Scholar Instructor Mark Richard Keane Looks at How Drawing Benefits Your Brain n several of our recent Road Scholar At Home learning adventures, instructor Mark Richard Keane has led programs that focus on drawing architecture and structures from the world around us. But the benefits of this instruction — besides helping participants learn to draw famous buildings — has also helped their minds. Read more about the 10 ways that drawing can help your brain!
People who draw... …HAVE ACTIVE BRAIN CELLS. The right hemisphere of your brain is responsible for creativity and imagination, while the left hemisphere is involved in logical tasks. As you draw, 80% of your right hemisphere gets activated. When you are drawing, not only do
reserved in your brain stronger, more striking and more accessible.
both hemispheres work simultaneously, but they develop their capacities as well.
…ARE MORE OBSERVANT AND CAN CONCENTRATE BETTER. As Leonardo da Vinci once said, “Painting embraces all the 10 functions of
…HAVE SHARP MEMORY. Drawing and painting help grow new brain cells by adding synapses to the brain’s transmitters, leaving experiences
…ARE BETTER AT COMMUNICATING. Through drawing, you can express various emotions, trains of thought and collective feelings. You can express what you feel, what you want and even your perception. Shy people and people with verbal disabilities often find drawing an easier form of communication. …RELEASE DEPRESSION THROUGH DRAWING. Drawing is an art with a healing power. It produces positive brain chemistry like serotonin, endorphins, dopamine and norepinephrine. …HAVE STRONG MOTOR SKILLS. Many parents introduce children to drawing at a very tender age, even before they can hold pencils
properly. Children develop stronger motor skills because they are manipulating and gripping different devices like pencils, charcoals or brushes with their hands. Their working capacity improves — and therefore, for the adults, their motor skills increase. …HAVE IMPROVED SELF-ESTEEM. If you draw something and you like it, you may want to hang the art on the wall. This provides satisfaction that stimulates you to move forward. …REDUCE THEIR STRESS THROUGH DRAWING. It is relaxing and a fruitful distraction from everyday chores. …OFTEN EXPRESS THEMSELVES DIFFERENTLY. People who draw express themselves in a unique manner and may have a different take on the world. …HAVE FUN. All you need is a paper and a pencil. Draw something, unwrap yourself, stimulate your brain cells and boost your energy!
We retain…
%
%
of what we read
of what we hear
% of what we see
12 | ROAD SCHOLAR ALUMNI MAGAZINE WINTER 2023
%
%
%
of what we see and hear
of what we discuss with others
of what we personally experience
% of what we draw