Aspergers and learning to draw

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So, since Aspergers' tend to be concrete thinkers (and they say drawing requires a lot of abstract thinking), I was wondering just how much an Aspie tends to be affected by this in learning to draw. I myself have been having issues, my lack of natural abstract thinking possibly being part of the gimp I have in learning to draw.

Thoughts? Opinions?

This is the first time I have heard this idea but it strikes a DEEP chord.

I used to obsessively draw up until my mid teens, it was MY THING - everyone including myself expected me to become an illustrator/animator of some description.

But I realise I used to only really draw as a tool for thinking, working out, admiring natural phenomena, designing, drawing objects of desire obsessively when I wanted things obsessively (autistic obsessive narrow interests haha)

When it came to drawing in terms of "Art" being creative, even in a cartoon/comic way, I hit a wall completely, I was 100% unable to do so, I also could not be creative and loose in graphic styles, intentional inaccuracy, exaggeration or naivety - the stuff that makes drawings enjoyable, emotive and memorable. I could not do it despite being either naturally gifted at or at least dependent on drawing as a tool of thought and communication.

You may have problem with illustration, but with some study I think you can make ravishing art if it is of a special interest. I used to make loosely impressionist paintings of Hubble images, and while I've never done anything with it there is still great pleasure in doing it.

Try it just for fun if you feel like it.

As for drawing,
if I really like the subject, I can draw ...
like Native Americans, I can draw them,
whereas most of my other attempts to draw humans
might come out either as stick figures or caricatures ...
That said, I once did a decent caricature of Barry Manilow.

So just do it for your own amusement,
and you might discover
you like what you come up with.

...

I'm not sure how to describe me and art... I am an artist, and with many mediums, though ink is my favorite. I apparently have a very unique style and I have had trouble figuring out certain techniques, but they only needed to be explained a certain way for me to understand it. My entire family is both creative and logical, but I'm the only one who really draws. I can do portraits/realism, I can sort of do comical though mostly anime, and whatever my style is.

I wish I knew how I could be able to draw like I do.

Drawing is like learning to play a musical instrument. A few people can draw well without being taught... but, the vast majority have teachers. To make art...Art that is, one needs to know the history of Art. You get turned on, it gets into your blood, it's on your mind all the time.

I'm not a purely concrete thinker. I'm also an abstract thinker. They call my style of thinking "gifted' or "twice exceptional" (both of which are silly flattery terms, but they're all I have to describe it). There are different kinds of ASD thinkers out there.

If you want to learn to draw in a creative way there are lots and lots of books to help you. NTs struggle with this, too, apparently. Here are just two I found with a quick Amazon search:
http://www.amazon.com/Steal-Like-Artist ... 0761169253
http://www.amazon.com/Creativity-Unplug ... B00NGF6S3Y

But basically -- copy other people's work you admire. Then you will start to do your own in a similar style, but in your own way. As the title above suggests, most people copy rather than create wholesale. Copy widely -- the great artists all did; that's how they learned. (i was just reading master painter John Singer Sargent's bio ... the guy had a lot of ASD mannerisms, definitely a candidate for postmortem diagnostic speculation)

I also recommend Zentangles to get you started -- it's a copying exercise that fosters creative thinking (and relaxation). Do an image search on "Zentangles" to see what it's about and get ideas from this site:
http://tanglepatterns.com/

But essentially -- for just about everybody, being creative is hard work!

Last, being creative is overrated, I think. I have abstract ideas coming out my ears, but I really just want to copy what I see. I am practicing techniques from High Focus Drawing to learn how to capture the world with my pencil. This book teaches that your vision shapes everything you draw -- and that you should have an opinion about what you are seeing. That interests me a lot, and that's what I'm pursuing. After a while, you "know" what you want to draw/paint and you don't need to ponder it. You have a vision. That's my goal as an artist, rather than dithering. And yes, I plan to copy the hell out of my favorite (Arts & Crafts Style) artists, too.

Here's that book, if you haven't seen it:
http://www.amazon.com/High-Focus-Drawing-Revolutionary-Approach-Figure/dp/0879515368

What worked for me was the book "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain".

This describes the exact reason why I decided not to pursue a career in art. I'm a very good artist in terms of technical skill, even better than some professionals. However, I'm not particularly creative when it comes to visual art, and technical skill doesn't matter as much as creativity once you reach a certain level of artistic mastery.

Most people value creative pieces over detailed replications of photos and life drawings, which are my favorite things to draw. There are a lot of professional artists whose art is mediocre on a technical level, but who achieve success by creating things that strike an emotional chord in others. In contrast, I find it difficult to produce art that shows emotion. It doesn't help that my sensory issues impact my ability to tolerate the feeling of rough paper, charcoal, paint, etc. If I had pursued art professionally, I could have been a digital artist and not much else.

Honestly, I feel unwelcome in the art community because I don't present like a stereotypical "artsy" artist. I don't have dyed hair, wear heavy makeup, or possess a visible sense of style. (I do have a sense of style; I just don't care enough about fashion to fixate on my appearance.) I've even joked to my family that I'm the least artistic artist ever.

It's much, much easier for me to be creative when I write than when I draw. This is why I've decided to become a professional novelist instead of a professional artist. Thankfully I've found that my artistic ability has helped me in my writing, so the many hours that I've spent obsessing over art shouldn't go to waste.

Your post inspired me to dust off some old material, a slight indulgence for me, but I think it might add to the topic, how relevant it will be for you, I don’t know, perhaps it might explain some missing links.

To form a complete picture ( ) of your artistic development to date, a mention of Lowenfelds stages of artistic development within the context of ASD could provide a framework.

The first stage in learning to draw is the scribble, a kinaesthetic-sensory experience.
Research indicates that this stage and the connected babble stage can be delayed in Autism, impacting on the acquisition of symbolic representations for communication.

The second stage is Preshematic.
The circle symbol is a milestone, it represents an awareness of ‘self’ an inner world and an outer world. It is typically the first representation of the human form, a scribble with a symbolic representation. At this stage, children with typical development are aware that the symbol making is a form of communication.

The third stage is Schematic.
The child moves forward from kinaesthetic mark making towards symbol making.

The fourth is the gang stage: The dawning realism
The child moves from schematic generalisation as it does not sufficiently express reality, more details are included and typically there is increased awareness of peer standards.

The fifth stage is the pseudo- naturalistic stage
Art becomes less spontaneous and the focus moves towards an end product.

The final stage, -the period of decision
At this stage progression will stall unless a conscious decision is made to improve. Non representational art such as handcrafts might be a natural follow on.

Some general pointers:
-In ASD there are difficulties with the sequential progression through these stages.
-The patterns formed in the early stages of this form of communication, become the foundation for later language use and the ability to represent symbolically.
-A formulaic approach, self stimulatory shapes which can be prototypes for creative endeavors, joint attention challenges, seeing the whole picture in comparison with a disjointed view of the details are typical characteristics within ASD art throughout these stages.
-Savant artists exist, however their innate abilities in this area are individual. For others it can be a skill to learn and develop.

My two cent, malleable materials and the use of color can encourage connectedness and a symbolic representation of emotion.
If you have an intense interest it might be a good starting point.

I have some ability in purely abstract art--which sometimes doesn't require technical ability of any type.

I have virtually no ability in representational art--which requires technical ability.

There are jobs that love technical artists! I feel really bad when fellow artists don't feel like their style is worthy, because art is an expression of self, it doesn't matter how you draw as long as you love doing it! My brother's girlfriend is a technical artist and she's doing design work. Architecture, design, engineering... There are a lot of things you can pursue.



I've also found that drawing for others limited my art. I now draw for myself (even if I have a commission) and I find it's freeing to not worry about how others will perceive it. As I said above, art is self expression. Even the technical stuff.



I don't look like what you describe as a stereotypical artist. I'm pretty boring, no makeup, plain hair in a ponytail, and I can often be seen wearing an oversized Deadpool t-shirt and ratty jeans. I don't care about style, I'm not a fashion designer (well, I have designed dresses but I don't give a flip about dressing to please). Again, self expression Be yourself.



I'm glad you have found a balance with your writing Just please don't worry about your art, just let it be a form of self expression for yourself, not for others.

Thank you for your kind words, kamiyu910. I appreciate them.

Drawing cartoons is my life. It's a talent I've had since I was a kid. Don't believe me? Look at my avatar.

My solution was to have my mother do my elementary school art projects.

I wouldn't have the physical coordination to realize something on paper even if I had the creativity to think of something artistic.

^{heeeey bruh bruh
uh, art is actually a very long process to actually adapt to im afraid-
everyone improves if they just practice, all i can recommend in general is that you just keep at it with new techniques if you can and stick with a style that suits your preferations the most
im a GIMP user myself, so if you need any help with the tools or whatnot just hit me up~! !}