What is gestalt? And how does it hurt your drawing?

In psychology there is a term called gestalt. Oxford dictionary defines it as:

an organized whole that is perceived as more than the sum of its parts.”

Say what?

That’s what I want to talk about with you today.

Our brain defaults to this idea of gestalt and this concept and its application can get in the way of us seeing all of the details we want to see, and prevents us from achieving realistic effects in our art.

I will offer a few examples of gestalt in today’s conversation and suggest ways to overcome our brain’s tendency to default to gestalt. You can accurately observe your image references and things you observe from life!

How do you think gestalt has hurt (or helped?) your art! Be sure to subscribe to Artist Strong then tell me more in the comments below.

What to learn more? Take my free quiz, “What are the secrets to drawing realistic faces?” here: https://quiz.artiststrong.com/sf/ceda4809 

What is gestalt? And how does it hurt your drawing? In psychology there is a term called gestalt. Oxford dictionary defines it as: “an organized whole that is perceived as more than the sum of its parts.” Say what? That’s what I want to talk about with you today. Our brain defaults to this idea of gestalt and this concept and its application can get in the way of us seeing all of the details we want to see, and prevents us from achieving realistic effects in our art.