Neurographica art is a beautiful meditative process based on mindfulness. This unique art method immediately puts your mind in a relaxed flow state, connecting your subconscious with your fingers as you draw. The method was invented in Russia in 2015 and has grown rapidly worldwide.
As a Visual Art teacher and artist, Christina from Art and About knows the positive impact of artmaking. Through the Neurographic drawing and painting process, one can forget about external stress and turn stress into calm.
What is Neurographic Art
This art form has a couple of variations and some contradictions between sources. But it’s a fairly easy concept and extremely fun and relaxing to create. So, first of all, there is neuro art and neurographical art, which are the same thing. They can be image-based or abstract.
Neuorographica is an entire process that is based on a psychological method. It was created by the Russian psychologist Pavel Piskarev in 2014. When we draw using the Neurographica algorithms, it helps us engage more neurons.
Both types of neurographic art are quite fascinating. Neurographica is considered neuro art or neurographical art, but all neuro art is not neurography. Some courses teach Neurographica, but they are difficult to find and need to be closer to make it possible to attend.
Both types are very therapeutic to create. The art form is a way to capture how the inner being reacts to the outer world. Neurographical art is a way to transform the fear and chaos of our world into something more calming and peaceful.
With all that being said, this is my interpretation of what it is based on my research. There needs to be more information available about this type of art. And most of it isn’t in English at this time. However, it is still worth exploring and developing your neurographic art.
Finding Inner Peace
Neurographics is a way to transform your stress into something calm. I love this idea and concept. Art is always about expression and finding that inner peace. I stumbled upon this by accident while looking at images on Instagram. I mistakenly thought I was looking at alcohol ink art. When in fact, it was neurographical art.
Once I realized it was neuro art, I went to the internet and searched for information on what it was and how to make it. But I came up short. There needs to be more information out there, at least in English.
I found one video on YouTube that did a pretty good job explaining it. And with what she taught, I felt confident starting my first piece of neurographic art. She gives a good introduction to Neurographica and how the process works.
Neurographic Art Step by Step
Step 1
In this first step, take a moment to close your eyes and sit before your paper and tools and meditate on what you are feeling inside. This project is about what you need to find a calm place and see what pours out of you most intuitively. Place your pencil or marker at a point of interest just above the paper. Loosen your arms and grip and draw an intuitive line with curves of flow, a doodle, or random marks for about ten seconds. If you feel the flow go a little longer, let it happen as you intuitively glide your instrument of choice across the paper. Try to keep one flow going off and back onto the paper.
Step 2
Next, examine the intersection of lines, and make connections by rounding off the corners. Feel free to go over your lines to connect broken or jagged areas. That is also fine if you like the look just how it is. Taking your marker, thicken up all the lines you have to have your intuitive lines emerge off the paper.
Step 3
Next, transform additional intersections by continuing to round off the corners where lines and shapes meet. A softer, curvier look to the lines helps in the calming effect the image can have on your mind as you experience deeper flow. Step back and appreciate what you have created when you are finished and content with your lines. Here are a few thoughts to ponder as you do:
- What feeling and emotion went into creating these lines?
- Are you noticing how you are sitting and breathing?
- Was there a sense of calm as you created this stage of your artwork?
- What emotion or feeling are you experiencing now?
- Is there a sense of calm and relaxation within you right now?
Step 4
In this step, we will add color and dive deeper into the flow experience of creating. Again, enjoy the process and intuitive choices you make along the way.
With paint. Marker, colored pencil, whatever you wish – create depth of color with darker colors starting from the lines and blending inward. However, feel free to explore color or shading however feels right to you. Perhaps shading or coloring in each segment a different color feels right for you. There is no incorrect way to complete your artwork. It is finished when it feels finished to you.
Next, ask yourself what certain colors mean to you. Notice how you blend and add colors within the areas of your artwork. With slow and calm breathing, let the work process complete itself.
And the final step is that there is no incorrect way to complete your artwork. It is finished when it feels finished to you.
Other Forms of Art Therapy
There are many ways to incorporate art therapy into your life. Doodling is a good way to relax and find inner peace. And, of course, there’s neurographic art. Finding ways to meditate while creating your art will greatly benefit your mind, body, and spirit.
Another common form of meditative art is Zentangles. The Zentangle method has been around for years and is quite popular. A great way to get yourself started making Zentangles is with the Primer Pack.
That’s It!
You have now created your first neurographic art. How did the experience feel to you? Would you like to try another one with different tools and colors? Try this creativity technique anytime you feel there is a need for calm and meditative moments. The lines, the curves and the colors created today are all part of transforming your needs and reality into a calmer and safer place to reside in. To be able to create a new artwork that embodies many pieces of ourselves is a bonus!
