This presentation explores a pedagogical approach that treats drawing a form of structured inquiry mirroring the framework of scientific research rather than as an imitation. Based on years of teaching practice with children aged 6–12 and adults, the method applies the logic of the IMRaD structure (Introduction, Method, Results, and Discussion) to art education. Instead of offering students pre-made templates or step-by-step models, each drawing session becomes a mini-research journey: it begins with a question or hypothesis, is followed by observation and exploration of materials, and ends with a reflective discussion. This approach supports critical thinking, autonomy, and decision-making. Students learn to observe attentively, make creative choices, and interpret their outcomes. Over time, their drawings become visual arguments grounded in evidence and experience. The method is inclusive by design and accessible to all children and adults as it focuses on personal exploration rather than correctness. The presentation includes visual examples of student work, classroom strategies, and comparisons between artistic and scientific reasoning. It resonates with the growing body of research that positions artistic processes as parallel to cognitive development and problem-solving (e.g., Eisner; Hetland et al.). The proposed model demonstrates that drawing, when taught as inquiry, becomes a powerful tool for learning that connects the arts with broader educational goals and reaffirms the relevance of visual thinking in the 21st-century classroom.

Authors:
Barbara Drobot, Independent Practice, Georgia

About the Presenter(s)
Barbara Drobot is an independent artist and art educator from Ukraine. She has taught drawing since 2014 and focuses on visual thinking and developing children’s critical and creative decision-making skills in art.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-drobot-693611375

Additional website of interest
https://www.instagram.com/touch_the_color?igsh=Zmg4ODV3NHQ0MXNn

See this presentation on the full schedule – Sunday Schedule

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