Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi all,
I've been re-reading a book I have called 'Drawing Autism' by Jill Mullin. I initially read it before my diagnosis just because I found it in a bookshop and liked what I saw. I'm a creator, initially in design but owing to certain situations I haven't worked in years. I'm still a creator though. Having now got a diagnosis I'm reading it from a slightly different perspective. I'd be interested to hear what other people like to draw/paint/create.
There's a chapter in the book called 'Repetition, repetition, repetition' that seems to sum me up fairly succinctly. As a child I liked to draw (a lot) the old green £1 notes, I liked the patterns and all the intricacies of the design.
These days I create 'art' using words and sentences generally in some specific pattern or geometric shape, spirals, circles and labyrinths. I work on large canvases, usually 3' x 4' but work very intricately, the writing/print is small. I would work on an even bigger scale if I had the room. I do create other pieces but I always come back to this same formula, it's soothing.
Going back to the book the author asked each contributor these questions:
* At what age did the act of creating art enter into your life? (For me it was as soon as I had access to paint)
* Why did you start creating art? (I enjoy it, it cathartic)
* What inspires/excites you about creating art? (I can plan down to the smallest detail and I really like the repetition)
* How do you choose your subjects? Why do you paint/draw what you do? (Again it's repetition and I like order)
* Do you think your art helps others understand how you view the world? (I think so, it re-iterates my patterns of behaviour and has tended to make people slightly more patient with me)
No matter how you create I'd just like to hear what and why you create. Cheers!
I've always drawn rows and rows of numbers; often fives and eights, and aim to achieve perfect versions. I also do the same with amphersands and letters. I often do this if I'm in a meeting and listening to someone. I think it helps me concentrate.
I'm also quite keen on perspective. I'll draw cubes, and again aim to get correct perspective. I'll then extend that perspective on the cube into the distance. I'll sometimes draw something that starts small and gets bigger, to challenge perspective. I'm always seeking out perspective in every day life, on things such as ceilings.
I also draw descending stairs, but mainly do that in my mind; striving to get straight lines on the vertical and horizontal. I'll also draw numbers and amphersands in my mind, and find myself rubbing them out and starting again.
Cool. Is there a particular reason you like 5's, 8's and ampersands? Is ot their shapes? I do like to use an ampersand but have problems with the actual writing of them.
Perspective is very satisfying and I also draw a lot of cubes, I find 'forced' perspective difficult, it doesn't have a formula I can easily relate to. I'd love to have that ability.
Do you find repetition calming? I certainly do. I generally work in black and white. What about you? Does colour play any or an important part of your creations?
I think 8's and because they are harder and are more of a challenge to achieve one that satisfies. 5's because I say the rhyme; "down his neck, round his fat tummy and put a cap on." So yes, I think it's their shapes.
I do find repetition calming. it's mainly doodle type drawing, so usually it's just a pen. I also do simple rows of lines next to each other, but at different angles, so at 90 degrees, some at 45 etc.
I do cross hatched doodling all the time. I'll sometimes fill in the resultant boxes, if they aren't too small.
Yes if I'm not happy with my freehand figures, I'll do regimented lines, so an 8 effectively becomes two squares. If I'm drawing a regimented number 3, I'll agonise over whether it should be two dashes along the top and 3 down, or 1 dash along the top and 2 down, and whether the middle dash should equal the top and bottom in length etc.
I'll mess about with W's and N's as well, and am never happy with my angles, (mainly in my mind those).
I quite like upside down cones and cylinders, so I can complete the ends and create the sense that it's solid.
Do you ever do cross hatched doodling or is that too many lines, crisscrossing at different angles?
I find that when I’m starting to get visually overloaded I see more angles and miss out on horizontals or verticals.
I see what your saying about 8’s and ampersands and thinking back to my last reply (that I find ampersands difficult to write) I also find the number 8 difficult. I draw one circle on top of another. I can’t make it a fluid line so I can totally see why you find 8’s and &’s are more of a challenge and more satisfying.