Henri Cartier-Bresson was known for his love of candid photography. This famed photographer discovered a vital aspect of photography that revolutionized his field; street photography. Through such photos, Henri believed that he could tell the story of humanity in its raw element. His work is like a visual prism of the world. Henri possessed a deep love for his art, yet, he was once quoted sharing the peace that one derives from drawing. The renowned photographer once said that while photography sparks an instant reaction, the art of drawing evokes meditation. Henri appreciated how drawing made humans reflect. An artist can purge their sad motions by making drawings of sad things. The process of drawing and the sad inspiration will help an artist explore their creativity and express their true feelings.
Answer
Art is a form of expression and, therefore, a drawing is an avenue for what the artist is feeling. To represent grief over a personal loss, one can draw a graveyard, a sunset, or the stars. To express one’s feelings after a breakup, an artist can choose to draw a broken heart, bleeding heart, or hands pulling apart. In a situation where a person feels lonely, they can derive inspiration from objects or living things that represent loneliness i.e., a wolf, or the moon. If one is undergoing depression, they can opt to describe how they feel through their drawing. For instance, an artist can make a drawing of a person sitting in an empty well or a dark room. They could also opt to draw a shattered mirror.
Why is it important to draw sad things?
According to research conducted, drawing has a positive impact on our cognitive abilities. For instance, drawing heightens one’s ability to coordinate their hands and eyes. Additionally, the very act of drawing increases an individual’s neurotransmitters which in turn increases one’s capability in accessing their experiences. This research also points out that a person who draws has better intuition, is more aware of their environment, and is generally more creative. Perhaps the most vital thing to note is that drawing increases the release of positive brain chemicals i.e., Serotonin, Dopamine, Endorphins, and Norepinephrine. This latter fact virtually means that drawing can make a person happier.
The art of drawing has a positive effect on an artist’s life or anyone who actively draws despite it not being a talent or a profession. If a person is feeling gloomy and usually expresses themselves through drawings, it would make more sense to create art that depicts happiness right? Wrong. Creating a cocoon of pseudo happiness will only deepen an individual’s sadness. The key to improving one’s mood lies in them confronting their sadness. This is why musicians write and produce songs about their heartbreaks or loss. This is also why fashion enthusiasts wear drab colors to match their grim moods or why poets compose sad pieces to confront their failures, fears, or anxiety. Acknowledging one’s sadness and expressing it helps a person explore their creativity and deal with their sadness.
Examples of sad things to draw
As explained earlier, most people opt to draw sad things because they want to express what they are feeling. Granted, some artists simply take on such projects to push the boundaries of their creativity. Here is a list of 10 sad things artists can opt to draw to express certain moods.
Graveyard
A drawing of a tombstone, casket, or graveyard is a visual representation of loss/grief. Although it might strike people as creepy, these drawings are simply a permanent representation of death. It is an acknowledgment that the artist is coming to terms with the fact that they are never going to see their loved ones again. Also, these drawings can be used by artists who are trying to tackle the topic of death and how certain this rite of passage is.
Sunset
Sunset is a well-known metaphor for death. It translates to someone’s time elapsing here on earth; their light will no longer illuminate those around them. Drawing a sunset is an expression of loss and mourning. It also shows that the artist considered the person they lost a source of happiness and guidance in that a world without them is dark, sad, and confusing.
Stars
Stars are beautiful, bright objects that keep us company during nighttime. Despite how we can see them, we can never touch/reach them. Drawing stars show how much a person admired the individual they lost and how despite this loss, they always feel their loved one is watching over them. Also, drawing these objects shows how the artist cannot be in the physical presence of those they lost. Stars do not necessarily have to imply that an individual’s loved one is dead. It can also represent a person having their loved one move to another country or join a different school.
Broken heart
We have all at some point come across a drawing of a broken heart. Immediately we deduce that whoever composed the drawing suffered from a breakup. Even our phone emoticons comprise this image that people all over the world use to show how they feel about a certain situation. A broken heart is a direct symbol that artists use to express how they feel after losing the one they loved.
Bleeding heart
Although it is not as common, a bleeding heart is also a direct symbol for someone going through a heartbreak. This image can be interpreted to be more severe than an image of a broken heart. A bleeding heart can represent betrayal and at times grief. Making this drawing is no easy task despite its ability to get a message across.
Hands pulling apart
Remember when you were in second grade and you held the hand of your crush? Do you recall how bad it felt when you had to let each other’s hands go because you had to attend annoying classes? Holding hands is something intimate between lovers. It is reassurance that a person will always be there. A drawing of hands pulling away depicts the loss of love and with it, intimacy.
Wolf
Even though wolves exist in packs, these wild animals have a distinctive ability to survive alone. An image of a wolf can be used to show that an artist can navigate the world alone. Even so, wolves excel in packs and so do humans. An image of a wolf can, therefore, be interpreted to point out how loneliness can cripple an individual.
Moon
The moon only appears at night when it is dark. This means that this particular celestial being stands alone, with its lulled brightness in a dark sky. Granted, some nights have stars to keep the moon company. When a moon is drawn by itself, it represents isolation. An image of a moon and stars can be interpreted to mean that a person feels alone even in the presence of others.
A person sitting in an empty well or a dark room
When you walk into a room whose blinds are closed, you will immediately walk towards the curtains and pull them apart to let light into the room. This is because darkness creates a certain grim feeling within us. Depression is often associated with darkness and dissociation. A drawing of a person sitting or standing in an empty well shows how lost and alone they feel. The lack of water in the well indicates that they do not feel alive as water is the source of life. A dark room shows how much the person wants to keep light and therefore positivity and happiness at bay. Both these images indicate that the artist is undergoing depression or that the images represent how they perceive depression.
Shattered mirror
The first thing that will come to your mind when you see a drawing of a shattered mirror is “broken” and then probably “dysfunctional”. It is impossible to use a broken mirror as you will not be able to properly scrutinize your reflection. An image of a shattered mirror can be used to show how a person is feeling. It is sad that a person should feel that they cannot be of any use to anyone. An artist can use this image to express their depressive state or how people often feel like they are no longer useful to those around them.
Conclusion
Art is a welcomed leeway for different individuals to express themselves. Whether the artists are confronting how they feel or they are simply experimenting with different forms of creativity; art is a delight to the world. Drawing is a meditation process that forces an artist to reflect on their lives and the lives of other people. By drawing these sad things they are able to face their own sadness or how this emotion is viewed by the rest of the world. Sadness is brought about by diverse situations and it is vital that an artist be aware of how different things can be used to interpret various reasons for sadness.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)
- What is the most common sad thing that artists draw?
The image of a teardrop falling off the base of a glassy human eye. Tears are a common symbol of sadness and a single tear is often used to indicate the beginning of sadness i.e., more tears are on their way.
