The Nature of Drawing

This chapter is a review of literature on the nature of drawing which intends to provide a brief guide for audience in the appreciation of adolescent's drawing described in this book. It presents to the audience varieties of viewpoints in perceiving drawing and what drawing could mean in human's life. The discussions of drawing were founded on the bases of the disciplines of art psychology, sociology and philosohpy. Popular themes and topics of discussion include mental reflection, realistic versus abstract drawing, technical or expressive matters, rhythm of drawing, importance of drawing for children and adolescents, drawing as education, which help revise the basic concepts and major debates in drawing. The conclusion of Chapter 2 has brought to light the new phase of drawing in the globalized world situation and how the studies of drawing on different cultures of the forthcoming chapters can predict answers to re-establish drawing as a prominent means to human's life and development in specific culture to share the values in common brought by adolescents' reflection from their engagement in drawing.