Lets start with something simple – You !

Got a minute ? pick a piece of paper and draw a human being. Then, read on.

We all remember the days in Biology class; when we were shown the frontage of a man and woman, and we exchanged snide glances. chances are you probably sketched that. But that’s a human body; a dead body to be precise, as you have represented it as still and lifeless. It’s the biological aspect of a human being. That’s not enough.

So, go on. Give it another try. Draw a human being.

We can try adding some more detail to the drawing above. maybe draw some lines and arrows to show that this body is moving, sensing, responding.  That’s great progress. we have added the aspects of  movement to it. But it is still inaccurate. Its the physical activity of a human being. That’s not enough.

So, go on. give it another try. draw a human being.

We can draw some sort of cloud above the head and show a lot of memories, desires, ideas inside the cloud. That’s great progress. But it is still inaccurate. Its a psychological aspect of a human being. That’s not enough.

So, go on. Give it another try. Draw a human being.

One of the challenges is where to draw the boundary line for the human being’s form. Lets take the biological representation. does the human being stop at the fingertips and toes ? biologically, yes. but the materials found inside the body are not different from that outside the fingertips and toes. sputum, water, semen,blood, sweat are not unique substances or materials that belong only to that particular human being. So are skin, bones, muscles, hair e.t.c. Drawing a boundary at the fingertips and toes is simply a matter of convenience for the artist. That’s not what we are after.

So, go on. give it another try. draw a human being.

Where are your thoughts now ? I was thinking of the planet Jupiter a few moments ago (hmmm! i wonder why!). But right now, my thoughts are with Snowy, my pet dog who is out on a picnic to the lake nearby. I wonder how i can represent that. Its important to show where my thoughts are because they are a part of me, the human being. Its actually easy to draw Snowy, but what if I was thinking of a flower in the sky or an invisible pen (just kidding!) ?

So, go on. give it another try. draw a human being.

Oh no! just look at the time. Why isn’t Snowy back yet ? I hope he’s all right. just cant trust the neighborhood kids to watch over him anymore. the brats. I sure hope he’s OK. Suppose, something had gone wrong ? As I type this, my heart is beating faster, my throat has become dry and my breathing is faster, raspy and shallow. In some way, I have changed in the past few minutes. I wonder how I can represent how I changed over time in my drawing.

So, go on. give it another try. draw a human being.

By now, I am wondering, if I show what I have drawn to a non-human being (like Snowy or an African elephant), will they agree with what I have drawn ? Would a non-human being see me differently ?

If you are still trying to draw a human being, I salute your persistence and commitment. If you have, by now, thrown the paper and pen out the window, I empathize with you.

But it gets more interesting. Read on !