Tim Ingold's Drawing (theory)

Tim Ingold’s drawing theory views drawing not just as a way to create images, but as a form of active perception and engagement with the world. He sees drawing as a process of “listening” to shapes, textures, and relationships in the environment, allowing the artist to observe deeply and connect physically with their surroundings. For Ingold, drawing is a practice of unfoldment—embodying a continuous interaction between hand, eye, and material—making it a means of understanding and participating in the ongoing flow of life and environment, rather than merely representing it.