Psychological Meaning of People’s Drawings, How to Interpret Them?

Can drawings express our emotional state? How can we interpret people’s drawings? Discover the meaning behind these drawings.

When a child is faced with a blank piece of paper, they usually draw all kinds of reasons: things they like or dislike in the world around them, people who are important in their life for different reasons, among other aspects. The people and their drawings can be interpreted to see what their personality and psychology are like. Discover how drawing and feelings or emotions are connected.

Drawing is not just a creative outlet but a window into the psyche. People often express their emotions, thoughts, and subconscious beliefs through art. In psychology, analyzing people’s drawings can provide valuable insights into their mental state, personality, and even unresolved issues.

Throughout history, psychologists have explored the symbolic meanings in drawings, utilizing them as diagnostic tools. Understanding what certain elements in a drawing represent can offer a deeper understanding of an individual’s emotional well-being.

Do people’s drawings really reflect our personality?

A team of professors and psychologists from the University of the Basque Country has published a study that determines how drawings of people. They are a good tool to assess the conceptual development of the little ones, especially from 5 years old.

To prepare this report, among other examples, the drawings which nearly 120 boys and girls between 4 and 7 years old conducted about the life of plants. From them, it was determined that the presence of representations such as rain, the sun or clouds shows that children have a more precise knowledge about living beings – these are elements that plants need to survive.

Not in vain, it is a technique that is already used taking as reference a series of graphic indicators that determine the presence or level of some psychological traits such as egocentrism, insecurity, self-esteem, motivation for learning or even presence of social relationship problems.

In the same way, there is a psychology in drawing that can tell us what we are like, what traits predominate in our personality, as well as what we are suffering right now. So much so that on many occasions, it can be interesting to analyze our drawings of people, animals, landscapes, among other elements.

The Role of Drawing in Psychological Assessment

The use of drawings in psychology dates back to the early 20th century when psychologists began to understand that creative expression could reveal unconscious thoughts. Today, drawing tests such as the Draw-a-Person Test, the House-Tree-Person Test, and the Kinetic Family Drawing Test are widely used in clinical psychology.

Drawings allow individuals to project their emotions, which they may have difficulty expressing verbally. Unlike structured interviews or questionnaires, drawings give a nonverbal dimension to psychological analysis. The focus is not just on the finished product, but also on the process of drawing itself.

How to Interpret Drawings: Key Psychological Indicators

While drawing interpretation requires expertise, there are some general guidelines for understanding what different aspects of a drawing might mean. Here are some key components to analyze:

1. Size of the Drawing

The size of the drawing can reveal a lot about a person’s self-esteem and how they view themselves in relation to others.

• Large drawings may indicate confidence or dominance, as the individual may feel the need to make their presence known.
• Small drawings could indicate low self-esteem, withdrawal, or shyness.

2. Placement on the Paper

Where a drawing is placed on the page can also be significant.

• Centered drawings may suggest a person’s sense of balance and control.
• Drawings near the edges may indicate feelings of isolation or a desire to remain unnoticed.

3. Facial Features

The way a person draws faces provides insights into their emotional life.

• Lack of facial features (eyes, nose, mouth) could suggest detachment or difficulty expressing emotions.
• Exaggerated features may indicate intense emotions or heightened concerns.

4. Use of Color

The colors used in a drawing are not just aesthetic choices—they can also be deeply psychologically significant.

• Bright colors like red or yellow often represent extroversion, passion, or positive emotions.
• Darker colors like black, gray, or brown may signal negative feelings, depression, or suppressed emotions.

5. Shapes and Lines

The way a person uses lines and shapes also provides insight into their mindset.

• Sharp, jagged lines might indicate tension, aggression, or anxiety.
• Smooth, flowing lines could reflect a calm demeanor, peacefulness, or emotional stability.

6. Details in the Drawing

The amount of detail someone includes in a drawing can be telling.

• Highly detailed drawings may indicate a person’s overemphasis on control or perfectionism.
• Simple, less detailed drawings can suggest avoidance or an individual who is not fully engaged with their emotions.

7. Drawing of a Person

In tests like the Draw-a-Person Test, the way a person draws a human figure can provide insight into their self-image and their relationship with others.

• Drawn figures with disproportionate body parts (e.g., oversized hands or heads) may reflect low self-worth or inflated ego.
• Missing limbs can symbolize feelings of inadequacy, insecurity, or loss.

8. The Background

The way a background is drawn—or if there is one at all—can be significant.

• Detailed backgrounds suggest that the individual may be aware of their environment and in tune with the world around them.
• Lack of a background might suggest that the individual is focused inwardly or feels disconnected from the world.

The psychology of drawing in children

According to a British study by the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College London, children’s drawing skill 4 years old is an indicator of the intelligence he will have at 14.

A research team from King’s College London has carried out a study that has allowed us to examine a sample of 7,752 pairs of monozygotic and heterozygous twins. Children aged 4 years and then 14 years participated, in whom, through a language test, the drawing ability (draw-a-child test). Each drawing has been assigned a score from 0 to 12, taking into consideration the particular inclusion of the figures.

According to research, some children have shown greater attention to details, such as draw a human figure with nose, ears and eyes. This precision could be synonymous with greater intelligence compared to those children who have drawn with fewer details.

Psychiatrist Rosalind Arden, author of the study published in Psychological Sciencehas stated: “This type of test was created in the 1920s to establish the intelligence of young children, which is why the correlation between the results and intelligence was predictable in the 4-year-old group. What was surprising was the correlation with intelligence measured after a decade”.

Indeed, at four years old, a high score in drawing test corresponds to a high score on the intelligence test. However, the novelty of the English research lies in the fact that it has revealed that this same test, repeated at age 14, demonstrates that children with high scores at age 4 maintain this standard unaltered.

What happens, therefore, to children who do not have this ability to draw? Will they have problems during adolescence? Rossalind Arden assures that: “The correlation is moderate, so our results are interesting, but that does not mean that parents should worry if their child draws poorly. The ability to draw does not determine intelligence, but there are many factors, both genetic and environmental, that influence intelligence in adult life.”.

Based on this study, we know that genes influence graphic ability. In fact, the drawings of identical twins were very similar to each other compared to those of non-identical twins. Although the results of the test at age 14 have shown how this genetic link remains unchanged over the years.

Common Psychological Tests Using Drawings

Some common psychological drawing tests used in clinical settings include:

1. Draw-A-Person Test (DAP)

This test asks individuals to draw a person, often used with children. The way the figure is drawn—whether it’s in proportion, whether features are missing or exaggerated—can provide insight into the individual’s self-concept, social skills, and emotional state.

2. House-Tree-Person Test

In this test, individuals are asked to draw a house, a tree, and a person. Each element represents different psychological aspects:

• The house can represent the individual’s sense of home and security.
• The tree is often interpreted as representing the person’s growth, stability, and emotional health.
• The person represents how the individual views themselves and their social interactions.

3. Kinetic Family Drawing Test

This test involves drawing a family engaged in an activity. It can highlight family dynamics and how the individual perceives their relationships with family members, especially in terms of emotional bonds and role in the family.

Can Drawings Be Used for Diagnosis?

While psychological drawings provide useful insights, they are rarely used alone for diagnosing mental health conditions. They are often part of a holistic assessment, combined with other diagnostic tools like interviews, observation, and psychometric tests.

Drawings are not absolute indicators of psychological conditions; they are more of a tool for understanding an individual’s feelings or emotional state. It’s important to keep in mind that drawing interpretation is not an exact science and must be conducted by trained professionals.

What is the meaning behind people’s drawings?

On some occasions the psychologist can carry out a drawing evaluation to be able to try to visualize what the problems of their patients are in very broad terms. Among these interpretations we can highlight the following.

Animals

Those who do drawings of animals may be more sensitive to living creatures. Furthermore, the type of animal that is drawn says a lot about the mood of the person who draws it. For example, an adult or child drawing a ‘weak or small’ animal may indicate a lack of confidence and introverted tendencies. On the other hand, aggressive animals may reflect feelings of assertiveness.

Faces

When the drawing of faces, this is usually a good indication of the mood of the person who drew it. For example, a pretty face suggests that you see the good in others, while strange faces probably imply distrust of others. Finally, comical faces demonstrate the desire to be the center of attention. Childish scribbles of faces suggest need. The profiles indicate that you are an introvert.

People

The drawings of people They can have many meanings. When people are drawn without feet this can imply a feeling of not belonging or having no roots. Not drawing hands implies a feeling of not being able to do things. By only doing people in profile this can be a sign that the person doesn’t like how they look.

Stars

Drawing stars can indicate a feeling of hope for the future and a certain optimism towards life.

Trees

Trees usually represent our ego and ambitions. So much so that those that have many leaves or fruits can indicate that they feel loved. Bare branches can indicate depression and rootless trees can be a sign that you feel like no one is there for you.

There are many interpretations of drawings of people. Despite this, these types of comments on the psychology of drawing people are not a science and therefore can only reveal very generalized aspects of personality. In all cases, these interpretations must be made by professional psychologists who know the techniques and knowledge in this regard.

FAQs About Interpreting People’s Drawings

What can a drawing reveal about a person’s mental health?

A drawing can provide clues about a person’s self-esteem, emotions, perception of relationships, and mental state. For example, distorted or incomplete figures may suggest feelings of insecurity or low self-worth.

How do facial features in drawings affect interpretation?

Facial features are key in analyzing how a person expresses or suppresses emotions. Missing facial features may indicate difficulty expressing feelings, while exaggerated features can suggest heightened emotions or stress.

Why do some people leave out details in their drawings?

Omitting details can signal emotional avoidance, detachment, or a lack of interest in their surroundings. It can also suggest difficulty or reluctance in addressing deeper emotions.

Can drawing tests be used to diagnose psychological disorders?

Drawing tests are useful tools in assessing emotional states and psychological patterns, but they are not standalone diagnostic tools. They provide context and insight, which should be combined with other assessment methods.

How important is color in a drawing’s interpretation?

Color can represent a person’s emotional state. Bright colors like red or yellow can indicate extraversion or excitement, while dark colors may suggest sadness, anger, or depression.