Neurographic Art

[Shmush]

I used this picture as a background for a card given to a fellow artist. She had foot surgery, hence the included foot detail . For those who don’t know, this style of art is called Neurographic art. It is the brain child of the Russian Pavel Pikarev, year 2014. He created it as a way to work with the subconscious through drawing. There are various thoughts on how this works and how it is applied. Some use it as a form of therapy, others have modified and adapted it to their artistic style. It looks very intricate, but it can actually be easy (even if you aren’t artistic) and relaxing. Roughly it is simply just drawing freeform lines on your paper. Once drawn find all places where lines cross over forming corners, round off each and every corner, then fill in the rounded sections with the same color as the lines. Add your choice of color(s) to each section, possibly add highlights and shadows and even more lines if desired. Use your choice of medium for coloring. For more information search YouTube for “Neurographic Art”.

foot nerographic003.jpg

[Mike Sibley]

This is both fascinating and reminding me of something we used to do in school - Scribblegrams.

I'll tell you about Scribblegrams in one of the next three videos... I made the huge mistake of working on three videos at the same time - hence the long delay. I'm really not built for that. I'm a "one project at a time" person.

Briefly, Scribblegrams involved one student scribbling with chalk on the board. And then the rest of us attempted to make visual sense of it. The variety of recognisable objects that appeared was really surprising.

And I'm guessing your Neurographic art involves the same thinking.

[Shmush]

Scribblegrams involved one student scribbling with chalk on the board. And then the rest of us attempted to make visual sense of it. The variety of recognisable objects that appeared was really surprising.

I too would guess it is a similar type thinking. I don't remember doing it in school, but a cousin of mine also mentioned having done the freeform drawing in school. Attempting to discover recognizable objects is an interesting addition. And since it has been previously done we are once again reminded "there is nothing new under the sun."

(and you can get a hint of where you live, Mike, and where I live by looking at our spelling of recognisable/recognizable)

[Laurene]

I’ve never heard of this before, but it sounds like a lot of fun. I used to play a game with my nieces when they were little where one person starts a drawing with a random squiggle and each subsequent person adds just one stroke until an image appears. It’s fun to see how each one of us « sees » something different in a simple squiggle.

[Mike Sibley]

I think all variations of this idea really help to generate visual thinking.

I'm making three videos at present. The one I'm currently stalled on is "GETTING STARTED WITH DRAWING" for pure beginners. The Scribblegram I mentioned is mentioned in that. There's a "part 2" being planned too.

And, although off-topic, another is on "Adjusting Photos", and the third is "Drawing Weeds and Grass".

[Laurene]

Sounds like you have a full plate Mike! As usual, lol! Weeds and grasses still frustrate me. They often come out looking like fur so I’ll be looking forward to that.

[Mike Sibley]

Weeds and grasses still frustrate me. They often come out looking like fur, so I’ll be looking forward to that.

Grass is so much like drawing hair that you can't go wrong. I think I finished writing the script today, and I have at least half of the graphics made. It's a long, hard slog, but I'm getting there.

[LindasPencils]

Very effective Shmush. I often use similar freeform scribble techniques in first classes to 'warm' up the students and get the brain loose. Plus it is fun!

[PogArtTi]

I have never heard of Neurographic at all...
Actually I could have easily imagine myself or anybody really, playing with free form sketching (sort off) on the paper, and seeking the outcome to create an interesting form, shape or anything...
It is so intriguing how the mind can express itself by making free motions through the arm...
Thank you for share Shmush