Sketching People: Prospective Investigations of the Impact of Life Drawing on Body Image

Swami, Viren (2017) Sketching People: Prospective Investigations of the Impact of Life Drawing on Body Image. Body Image, 20. pp. 65-73. ISSN 1873-6807

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Abstract

Three studies were conducted to establish the extent to which life drawing is effective at promoting positive body image. Study 1 (N = 84 women) showed that life drawing had a positive impact on state body image, but only if artists observed a human model and not non-human objects. Study 2 (N = 61 women, 61 men) showed that life drawing had a positive impact on state body image for women and men, irrespective of whether artists observed a sex-congruent or -incongruent model. Study 3 (N = 23) showed that participating in weekly life drawing sessions for a 6-week period resulted in significantly elevated trait positive body image (body appreciation and body pride) and embodiment, and in reduced social physique anxiety; however, the intervention had no significant impact on negative body image (drive for thinness or muscularity). These results highlight the potential of life drawing for promoting positive body experiences.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Keywords:	life drawing, body image, embodiment, art, body appreciation
Faculty:	ARCHIVED Faculty of Science & Technology (until September 2018)
Depositing User:	Viren Swami
Date Deposited:	05 Dec 2016 16:11
Last Modified:	09 Sep 2021 18:59
URI:	https://arro.anglia.ac.uk/id/eprint/701256

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