Expert: John Henry Architect - 10/31/2008

Question


hello sir

when I m contemplating or concentrating in something usually grasping a pen without feeling I find on the paper informant me some cubic shapes , engineering shapes , intersecting line .....

1- whats that phenomena ?

2- is that cam aid me to be good in freehand sketching  ?

3- I m write ( stories , poems , stage plays , screen plays ) , compose music , directing short movie , photographing )

is that talents may help in freehand sketching quick learning or it need independent talent  ?

wish to hear from you soon
thanks

Answer
Hello AJ,
Many people doodle on paper when trying to find a way out of a mental problem.  In your case, as a writer, you are expressing abstract thoughts on paper in order to help further 'flow', or motivate your mind to produce results pertaining to a number of issues.  I do not sketch as a reflex as an architect, but I know many designers who do this.
You should develop this further as you have a creative mind and many related interests.  In screenwriting or working out a script perhaps you are imagining a setting and context for example and instinctively may work with your pen.  This is a subconscious activity and one can train eye-mind-hand if you wish to consider architecture, interior design, engineering, etc.  
You might look into Kirby Lockard's books: Drawing as a Means to Architecture, Design Drawing, Design Drawing Experiences, which start you in freehand sketching and then into spatial studies.
Buy a sketchpad and use pen, pencil, felt tip, or other media to do either abtract drawing and then take outdoors to sketch people, cars, buildings, any detail of nature, etc.
The idea of independent 'talent' has been argued by many and it seems 'genius' may be a genetic gift to a few, but all of us can train ourselves to draw well.