NEUROGRAPHIC ART: CONNECTING PSYCHOLOGY AND ART

Triveni Goswami Vernal
(Registered Special Educator, CRR No. A64010)

It is widely known that engaging in creative forms of expression can have a profound effect on one’s body and mind. According to Christianne Strang, a former President of American Art Therapy Association, “Creativity in and of itself is important for remaining healthy, remaining connected to yourself and connected to the world” (https://acrm.org/rehabilitation-medicine/how-the-brain-is-affected-by-art/).

Source: https://acrm.org/rehabilitation-medicine/how-the-brain-is-affected-by-art/



Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross, the authors of the book “Your Brain on Art” have cited several studies that have shown how engaging in some form of artistic endeavour, can improve the overall well being of an individual (both mental and physical). They state, “When you experience virtual reality, read poetry or fiction, see a film or listen to a piece of music, or move your body to dance, to name a few of the many arts, you are biologically changed…There is a neurochemical exchange that can lead to what Aristotle called catharsis, or a release of emotion that leaves you feeling more connected to yourself and others” (https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/what_art_does_for_your_brain).

Keeping this in mind, the development of a relatively new form of “therapeutic art”-Neurographic Art, makes a lot of sense. The term “Neurographic Art” was coined by psychologist, Dr. Pavel Piscarev in 2014. According to an article, The benefits of Neurographic Art on the Vancouver Visual Art Foundation website, “neurographic art is a technique, which comprises drawing freeform lines or ‘neuro lines.’ These are meant to enable the connection between the conscious and unconscious, gaining access to the inner self by using a specific algorithm or method. The algorithm utilized in neurographic art enables us to transform and process the emotions that might have guided our freeform line drawings and turn them into new mesmerizing art”( https://www.vanvaf.com/post/the-benefits-of-neurographic-art).

Neurographic Art by Melinda Knott
Source: https://www.vanvaf.com/post/the-benefits-of-neurographic-art

So, what does Neurographic Art entail?
Neurographic Art is much more than simply Doodling. There is a technique behind the method as well as the interpretation of the art. According to Celeste Wilson who has penned down an article on “Neurographic Art: A Therapeutic Art Form” in https://medium.com/share-your-creativity/neurographic-art-13ad4b279d92 , one of the basic algorithms of Neurographic Art, includes the following:
“•Draw loose crisscrossing lines on a piece of paper using a pen or marker. By using an ink pen and not a pencil, you are forced to commit to the design. You can’t erase it.
•As you draw, think of the things that trouble you.
•Don’t focus on structure, just let your pen flow across the page.
•Where the lines cross and make sharp corners, round them out. Softening these edges is calmative.
•You can add shapes to your drawing.
•Now add color. Instead of adding shapes, you might want to use color to highlight shapes.
•Study the drawing and see if there are any recognizable shapes. Perhaps you see a leaf or a butterfly. Then color them in as if you were coloring in a coloring book.”
The website https://createforhealing.com/neurographic-art-for-healing/ has a detailed post on the materials required and a description regarding how one can create a piece of neurographic art.
Lesson Plan on Neurographic Art:
https://www.derwentart.us/siteassets/dwt-inspiration/lesson-plans/project-pdfs/derwent_neurographic_inktense_blocks_final_1645814439.pdf

Examples of Neurographic Art

Source: https://www.palatinelibrary.org/event/neurographic-art

Source: https://www.nancymoskovitz.com/neurographics.html

Source: https://www.alisonhazelart.com/neurographic-art-basics/

Thus, we see that Neurographic Art connects the unexpressed with an expressive art form. It allows an individual to express their deepest thoughts, anxieties and feelings through free flowing, free form lines that take various shapes, allowing one to create a safe space to let go off their innermost turmoil.

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Author Triveni Goswami Vernal

Triveni Goswami Vernal is an Autism advocate, registered Special Educator (CRR A64010) and an Independent Researcher. Her areas of interest include Autism, Disability Rights, Gender, Art and Northeast studies. She is a mum to an 11 year old on the Autism Spectrum.

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Creative representation for this blog is done by our extremely talented CreativeSaathi associate Kabir Vernal