12 Tree Drawings
"Please draw a tree" – many of you have heard this odd request during a job interview. Why tree? As you may have realized by now, every drawing can tell us a lot about the artist. Many prospective employers use the tree drawing because this subject has been heavily researched. Nevertheless, drawing a flower, urban landscape or abstract shapes could also provide the same Information.
Nowadays, when hardly anyone uses a pen or a pencil to write, one of the most common questions I'm asked is, "How can you diagnose my handwriting if I hardly ever write?" This is why I also ask adults to draw. Drawing is inherently less structured than writing, offering the opportunity to express the creativeness that lies within each and every one of us. Moreover, the power of drawing lies in its colorfulness that carries us into the sensory experience and invites us to think less and do more.
This is true also for the drawings shown below. When I ask people to draw a tree, I always offer them a large stack of colors. I believe drawing a tree with a pen does not allow for sufficient creative expression. To maximize the experience, I also offer large pages, larger than the standard writing block size. When drawing is part of a group experience, I start with several minutes of guided imagery with music. All these elements help each participant draw her "dream tree" (see below for a wonderful example).
The tree stands for the artist and the way she expresses herself in various areas in her life. Here are the first three steps to unlocking the meaning of tree drawings:
1. Roots symbolize the past and the person's relationship with her family
2. The trunk signifies the person's personality and ability to withstand the rigors of life 3. The treetop is indicative of the person's ability to realize her potential through her various life activities
The fabulous cypress shown here fascinates everyone who sees it. By its very shape, the cypress stands for cognitive development, which is indeed relevant for the woman who drew it. She is curious and open to new interests and activities – this period of her life is characterized by diverse experiences each of which, I must say, is more "colorful" than the other.
This richness is clearly evident in the tree itself. Although this cypress is not realistic at first glance, but the artist's choice to paint its top in so many colors suggests that diversity is completely realized in her life (remember, the treetop stands for how we realize our inherent Potential).
When looking at a tree drawing, you should also refer to the size ratio between the trunk ant treetop. In this example, the treetop seems to be exceptionally large, but when you refer to the size ratio, you must see whether the final result is a treetop that does not have a strong enough foundation to lean on. In this cypress, you can clearly see that the trunk provides a strong foundation.
In addition, the connection between the trunk and canopy is strong and reliable. This is also true in reality. Based on my impression, the woman who made this drawing can balance the various areas in her life in a harmonious way, and can grow out of the rich information she has absorbed in her life into new experiences and fresh beginnings.
The next tree is very different from the cypress shown above, but is just as informative about the artist's personality.
The tree represents a more common choice, and the style in which it is rendered is also quite ordinary. The treetop – representing realization, performance and cognition – is made of several shades, but its boundaries are strictly adhered to, and as such it signifies structured, well -organized and systematic thinking.
People who draw this way prefer to maintain structures and routine of family, career and habits that provide a sense of security and stability. Nevertheless, it is important to notice the degree i n which children who draw trees are careful with the canopy's boundaries. When they are overly fastidious, this could suggest difficulty and stress in school or other social contexts.