Several recent theories of development have begun to recognise the importance of
variability in mechanisms of change. The present study’s aim was to map
variability in the drawing process. We examined changes in cognitive and
biomechanical factors that influence drawing behaviour by investigating how simple
shapes and complex pictures are drawn. In order to assess changes in variability
with age across individuals, children (4- to 7-year-olds) and adults copied a series
of geometric shapes and more complex images. In order to assess changes in
variability with age within individuals, participants also made repeated copies of
simple shapes and characters. Overall, both types of variability decreased with age.
It is suggested that increasing biomechanical efficiency and enculturated drawing
conventions contribute to these decreases.
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