Neurographic Art! What is it?!
Looking for a fresh, engaging technique to share with your students or a fun activity for your own sketchbook? Explore the captivating world of Neurographica Art. This form of art therapy, developed by Russian psychologist Pavel Piskarev in 2014, blends freeform drawing with mindfulness, resulting in intricate designs that mirror our subconscious thoughts and emotions. The term “neurography” combines “neuro,” relating to the nervous system, and “graphy,” meaning writing or drawing. Let’s explore this fun art therapy art method and its key features and benefits!
Key Features of Neurographic Art:
- Freeform Lines
- Connecting Lines
- Enhanced Intuitively with Shape & Colors
- Promotes Mindfulness & Meditative Stress Relief
- Inner-Exploration & Self-Discovery
Relax & Draw Freeform Lines
1. Start by drawing spontaneous, freeform lines on a piece of paper. These lines can be wavy, straight, curved, or zigzagged, representing your subconscious thoughts and emotions.
My Experience: When I started this design I looped my lines into 3 specific areas to represent 3 different challenges I had been struggling with in my life. Don’t feel like your lines have to represent anything specific though. Just let them flow out in any random way.
Connecting Lines:
2. Next, connect the intersections of these lines with curves to smooth out sharp angles. This step symbolizes the integration and harmonization of various thoughts and emotions.
My Experience: This is where the magical relaxation starts to happen! I LOVED the way the lines and shapes changed and emerged as I smoothed all the corners and intersections away!
Enhancing with Shapes and Colors:
3. Add additional shapes and colors to your design. The use of color is often intuitive and can reflect your emotional state or desired mood.
My Experience: Starting my first neurographic design, the concern about “doing it right” was on my mind. As relaxation took over, openness to experimentation grew. Three additional circles were incorporated into the original design to symbolize the three goals causing me stress. Smoothing out intersections revealed circles of varying sizes, which I found captivating. More circles were then added freehand to represent rocks and boulders, reflecting the rocky path I’ve been navigating recently.
Mindfulness and Relaxation:
4. The repetitive and flowing nature of the process promotes relaxation and mindfulness, encouraging you to focus on the present moment. This can help reduce stress and anxiety.
My Experience: As I worked on my design, I truly began to relax. The great thing about this experience was that it gave me time to sit with my emotions and obstacles, allowing me to sort them out. I realized that two of my stressors were not as difficult to handle as I had thought, and only one situation needed most of my energy. I left this drawing session feeling more equipped to cope with my stress and even had some goals and an action plan in mind to tackle my challenges.
Expression and Self-Discovery:
5. Neurographic art is a powerful form of self-expression that allows you to explore your inner world. The process can lead to insights and self-discovery, making it a valuable tool for personal growth and emotional healing.
My Experience: I loved this! I’ll be adding this art therapy drawing tool to my “inner art toolkit” to help me unwind and de-stress. I’m also excited to introduce it to my 8th graders as part of a Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) art activity this Fall. It could be a great way for them to relax during the first week back to school or serve as a fun art warm-up or introductory lesson. If you’re interested, I’ve put together a lesson plan for this activity that you might find useful for your students as well!
Benefits of Art Therapy Designs:
- Stress Relief: The repetitive, flowing nature of the drawing process can be very calming and help reduce stress.
- Emotional Release: It provides a safe space for expressing emotions that might be difficult to articulate.
- Increased Focus: The mindfulness aspect of Neurographic art helps improve concentration and focus.
- Creativity Boost: It encourages creative thinking and can be a fun, engaging way to explore artistic skills.
- Personal Insight: The process can lead to greater self-awareness and insights into one’s thoughts and feelings.
How to Create Neurographic Art:
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Start with Freeform Lines:
Use a pen or marker to draw spontaneous lines across your paper. Let your hand move freely without overthinking.
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Connect and Smooth Intersections:
Wherever lines intersect, connect the points with smooth, curved lines to eliminate sharp angles.
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Add Details:
Add shapes, patterns, and colors as you see fit. Allow your intuition to guide you. Some articles I have read state that a neurographic art design shouldn’t include images but I say “Why Not”?! As I created this design, I was thinking that I needed to be less rigid and more yielding to my struggles. Vines reminded me of a willow swaying in the wind to represent “going with the flow” and being less rushed and more patient in my struggles. Rocks symbolized obstacles and questions I had yet to figure out. I added these freely and intuitively as I created my design without worrying about restrictions.
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Reflect:
Take time to reflect on the process and the finished artwork. Consider what thoughts and emotions came up while you were drawing.
Neurographic Art is more than just a drawing technique; it’s a journey into the subconscious mind, a practice in mindfulness, and a creative outlet that offers numerous emotional and psychological benefits. Whether you’re looking for a new project to inspire your students or seeking a way to enhance your own artistic practice, Neurographic Art provides a fulfilling and enriching experience. Why not give it a try and see where your lines take you?
Have fun with it! Here, a name design was combined with neurographic art style lines to create a whimsical doodle!
By incorporating Neurographic Art into your teaching or personal practice, you can unlock new avenues for creativity and self-expression. Take a moment to de-stress today and try creating a Neurographic design yourself!
If you would like to try this idea out in the Art room with your students you might enjoy this Neuro-graphic Art Resource! Add subject matter from nature!
