History of Drawing by: Malia Husted

By Malia.H
  • 30,000 BCE

    Prehistoric Cave Art

    Early humans created cave drawings using charcoal and natural pigments. These drawings depicted animals and daily life, serving as early storytelling and communication.
  • 3100 BCE

    Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphics

    Egyptians developed a system of pictorial writing using symbols to represent words and sounds. These drawings were found on tomb walls and papyrus scrolls.
  • 500 BCE

    Greek and Roman Drawings

    Greeks and Romans created detailed sketches as studies for sculptures and frescoes. Their drawings emphasized human anatomy and proportions.
  • 800

    Medieval Manuscript Illustrations

    Religious texts were decorated with intricate, hand-drawn illustrations. These detailed drawings helped convey religious stories to those who couldn’t read.
  • 1500

    Renaissance Drawing Techniques

    Artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo studied human anatomy and used perspective to create lifelike drawings.
  • Baroque and Rococo Sketching

    Artists like Rembrandt and Rubens used dramatic light and shadow in their sketches, known as chiaroscuro, to create depth and emotion.
  • 19th-Century Academic Drawing

    Art schools emphasized realistic figure drawing, often using live models to master classical techniques.
  • Impressionist and Modern Art Sketches

    Artists like Van Gogh and Degas used expressive lines and color to capture movement and emotion in their drawings.
  • 20th Century Abstract and Expressionist Drawings

    Artists like Picasso and Kandinsky broke away from realism, using abstract shapes and bold lines to express ideas and emotions.
  • Digital Drawing and AI Art

    With advancements in technology, artists now use digital tablets and AI to create drawings, expanding artistic possibilities.