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30,000 BCE
Pre-Historic Cave Drawings
People have created art since the beginning of human history. The earliest identified drawings date back to 30,000-10,000 BCE and were discovered on the cave walls of Altamira, Spain and Lascaux, France, northern Spain, and southern France. -
3000 BCE
Ancient Egyptian Art
Early Egyptians also adorned the walls of their temples and tombs by modeling scenes of daily life, hieroglyphics, and sacred deities, or gods, as early as 3,000 BC. -
3000 BCE
Ancient Greece
Even the Ancient Greeks have numerous enduring artifacts of their illustration. The vases and pottery that were drawn or designed on by Ancient Greeks showcased their elegant, embellishing use of drawing. The Greeks use drawing to represent scenes of fights and legends. -
Period: 400 to 1400
Middle Ages
Throughout the Middle Ages, illustrations were designed essentially to declare sacred messages and narratives of the Bible. -
1100
The Invention of paper
Prior to the invention of paper, drawings were mainly used as preparation for paintings. Tablets of wood, slate or wax were often used as the basis for drawings though some artists chose to draw directly onto the canvases which would later be painted on. Notwithstanding being originally conceived in 100 BCE in China, paper was delivered to the western world in 1100 CE. -
Period: 1300 to
The Renaissance and Drawing
Drawing began to take the structure we recognize today during the Renaissance era. In Italy, drawing became perceived as a respectable art form because of the advance of the use of paper. Drawing became the basis of all artwork; art students were educated in drawing before their training in other styles of art- painting, sculpture, or architecture. -
Period: 1300 to
The Renaissance and Science
Drawing also became essential for scientists to record their knowledge about the real world. Artists and scientists became increasingly concerned with producing realistic depictions of the natural world. -
Period: to
Baroque Period
Throughout the 1600s and 1700s, the Baroque period introduced a new style of illustration that incorporated livelier forms with moving lines. During this time, artists also began practicing watercolor and ink washes. Another characteristic of the Baroque Period was the Counter-Reformation. -
Rococo Period
The new variations in conveying movement through playful lines presented itself to the Rococo Period, described by the wealthy French culture of aristocrats. -
Period: to
1800's and 1900's Art
Innovation defines the improvements in the art form of drawing throughout this period of history. Pencils were first manufactured early in the 1800s and quickly became the most favored illustration tools.