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The earliest drawings come from Pre-historic times, and they were found on the cave walls of Altamira and Lascaux. -
The Ancient Egyptians carved drawings into their temple and tomb walls. These drawings depicted deities, daily life, and stories. -
The Ancient Greeks used drawings to decorate their vases and pottery. They depicted their deities, their myths, and their battles through a graceful style of art. -
The Middle Ages are known for their drawings with religious messages and undertones, and stories of the Bible. Since drawing was not seen as a finished product, most artwork from the Middle Ages is paintings and not drawings. -
Unlike the Middle Ages, drawing became a respected art form due to the invention of paper. Artists were trained in drawing before anything else, and drawings even became a tool for scientists to use. -
Pen and ink were popular tools during the Renaissance, but the invention of chalk and charcoal allowed artists to create a variety of textures and effects. -
Because art became more popular during the Renaissance, paying for art commissions rose in popularity. Artists began to draw portraits of other people. And to ensure their work was credited properly, they'd put their monograms on the portraits. -
The Baroque Period was also another period in time that popularized some art tools. Popular artists began to use watercolors and washes in their art, which created a softer look. -
The Baroque Period was also home to the Counter-Reformation, which was the Catholic Church's attempt to reverse the effects of the Protestant Reformation. Peter Paul Ruben—a leading artist in the Counter-Reformation movement—created the art technique of "open composition". -
The invention of the pencil allowed artists Ingres and Goya to rise in popularity. They were innovative and created new art, such as capturing the movement of ballet dancers, horse races, and their dreams.