Up: [[Observing Drawings in Therapy]] Created: 2024-05-24 Updated: 2025-04-14 Course: The Art of Spontaneous Drawing with Patricia Anne Elwood for Phoenix Jung #### position on the page Look at how the elements are arranged on the page. If the arrangement is horizontal, it’s usually telling a story. If vertical, it’s usually expressing a statement. #### what’s central Central position on the page may relate to a complex or what to preoccupies the ego at the time of drawing. Is there one focus on the page or several? What motifs are bigger and given more importance? #### left and right Energy going to the left tends toward the unconscious and regression. To the right is progression, development, adaptation to the outer world. #### upper, lower, and centre - Material heading towards the upper spheres is positive, referring to everything that goes up such as hopes, aspirations, ambitions, happiness. - Material heading towards the lower spheres is negative, referring to the unconscious. It could be normal regression or a depression. - Material moving toward the centre, Jung calls centring and it is positive. It shows a tendency towards healing. #### off the page - When something goes off the page at the side read that as a lack of involvement, fear of commitment, lack of confidence and sense of self. - When it goes off the page at the top or bottom it shows a rupture in development, an interruption in growth, or a radical change of direction in life. #### repetition and numbers If motifs or symbols are repeated, that’s often a sign that a complex in the unconscious has been activated and needs to be integrated into consciousness. Count up the repetitions, such as apples on a tree. Numbers will often point to dates or ages when events or traumas took place. #### colours What colours are used? Is there a lack of colour, a tendency to avoid colour? This may show resistance or a defence against emotions. #### incongruities - Is there anything incoherent, superfluous, or bizarre? - Is there a frame? Is it encouraging looking from the inside out or the outside in? Framing underlines the image’s importance. - Is there anything missing? Splits, divisions, and broken-off pieces point to ruptures in development or in the direction life takes. - What’s emphasized, outlined in black or underlined? What are the written words? - Are there any attempts to erase? This may show self-criticism or a lack of self-assurance. > [!user] Patricia Anne Elwood, *A Jungian Approach to Spontaneous Drawing*