Figure drawing: a model for self-esteem
Illustrations by high school students Jasmine Lopez, Kiara Snell, and Kaliyah Jackson
“I’m an artist because I want to give my mind a space where it can thrive. At times, I’m not able to fully express myself with words, so art is a big way for me to do that.”
—high school student Kiara Snell
I turned the corner of Campbell Hall's sidewalk to streams of light pouring through panels of windows. But what caught my eye were drawings and paintings featuring bodies, environments, and even self-portraits. Walking inside, I began to recognize those faces as students from the Youth Arts Residency, created during a self-portrait session in the figure drawing class I led days prior.
I was met with a wave of enthusiastic, buzzy energy, complementing the artistic brush strokes and pencil lines that filled the space. I spotted a black adhesive sign on the wall, reading “IDENTITY: CREATIVE EXPRESSIONS FROM STUDENT ARTISTS OF LA.”
Identity and expression. Exactly.
This summer, I had the privilege of leading the figure drawing portion of a three-week Youth Arts Residency program at a high school in Los Angeles, developed by artist and teacher Javon’e Armada. In the figure drawing class, we explored a central question: Can engaging with the human body through art change young people's perspectives of themselves and the world?
For the young artists in the program, this idea was explored through visual communication. Alongside various creative activities, including figure drawing, 12 students discovered how art helped them move beyond perfectionism and connect with their unique identities. Their stories demonstrate how art can change how we see ourselves and the world around us.
For many, art is a refuge, offering a space to process emotions and express identity when words fall short. One of the youth artists, Kiara Snell, shared, “I’m an artist because I want to give my mind a space where it can thrive. At times, I’m not able to fully express myself with words, so art is a big way for me to do that.”
For others, figure drawing presented a unique challenge that pushed participants to confront their perfectionism. Kaliyah Jackson, whose first experience with figure drawing was in this program, recalled moments when the body proportions she drew were off. But, instead of seeing it as a lack of skill, she viewed it as a natural part of the learning process. “I was excited and stressed at the same time,” she said.
Jasmine Lopez had similar struggles. “When I first started figure drawing, I was intimidated. The time frame and my perfectionism didn’t work together. I was making mistakes and didn’t like that,” she explained. Over time, though, she began to embrace the imperfections. “You don’t have time to be perfect; you have to grasp what you see,” she said. This shift in perspective allowed participants to focus on growth rather than flawless execution.
Kaliyah Jackson
For Jasmine, drawing diverse body types helped her embrace her own. “In the past, I envied other women’s bodies because they looked more proportional or pleasing. But as I grew older, I started drawing my own body as I saw it every day. Soon, I accepted it,” she said. This exploration not only nurtured self-love but also deepened her empathy for others.
Empathy is also one of Kaliyah’s favorite qualities about herself, along with her eyes.
Going back to my original question, the stories of these young artists suggest a resounding “yes.” By engaging with the human form through art, they didn’t just learn anatomy; they explored empathy, self-acceptance, and self-expression.
This led me to wonder more about the scientific and psychological aspects of creativity. To better understand the therapeutic value of making art, I turned to Dr. Kiki Ramsey, MCC, Founder and CEO of the Positive Psychology Coaching and Diversity Institute.
“When drawing the human body, youth artists explore how they see themselves, which boosts body agency and challenges societal beauty standards,” Dr. Ramsey explained. “This creative process fosters mindfulness, reducing anxiety and increasing self-esteem. Art can also celebrate diverse body types, encouraging body positivity and self-acceptance, leading to a healthier relationship with self-image and overall well-being.”
Dr. Ramsey elaborated on the brain science behind this process. “Art activates key areas of the brain, including the prefrontal cortex (responsible for planning and self-reflection), the amygdala (which processes emotions), and the visual cortex (for visual processing). Engaging in creative activities stimulates the dopamine system, which promotes pleasure and emotional resilience,” she said.
Jasmine Lopez
The connection between art and mental health is profound, serving as a tool for healing, growth, and connection. These findings were reflected in the stories of the youth artists, who experienced the power of art firsthand.
To close the Youth Arts Residency program, Armada and his students curated a showcase to highlight each participant’s work, celebrating their diverse perspectives. Kiara summed it up best: “I couldn’t choose a favorite because each piece told their story. That’s what’s so great about art — it’s not just one style. There could be many.”
Each artwork reflected a deeply personal story, underscoring the power of art as a universal yet intimate language. The program was as much about the process of self-discovery as it was about the final piece. Perhaps the process is the point.
For Jasmine and Kaliyah, the experience of observing and recreating bodies led to self-acceptance and appreciation. For Kiara, the world became a muse, sparking new creativity. These stories show how art can be both a mirror, reflecting our struggles and growth — and a window, offering new ways to view ourselves and others.
The Youth Arts Residency program gave these youth artists more than technical skills. It provided a space to explore identities, accept imperfections, and connect with others. Through figure drawing and creative expression, they learned to see themselves and the world in new ways.
I’m reminded that art, with all its imperfections and possibilities, reflects life itself. Whether you're an artist or an observer, embracing the beauty of the imperfect and diverse connects us all.
To me, these two concepts — imperfection and diversity — are one and the same. They’re aspects of being an incredibly complex, incredibly beautiful, human.
Carly Quellman is a multimedia storyteller who sits at the intersection of technology and humanities — near the closest south-facing window in Los Angeles, California.