The Link Between Drawing and Working Memory

Try drawing a face from memory, or holding a color scheme in mind while filling in a whole page — both tasks quietly lean on working memory, the mental workspace we use to hold and manipulate information for short periods of time.

Why Working Memory and Drawing Are Worth Talking About Together

Working memory lets us keep a small amount of information active in our minds while we use it — like remembering a phone number just long enough to dial it, or holding an instruction in mind while carrying it out. Drawing calls on working memory in specific ways: recalling what an object looks like while sketching it, keeping track of a color palette across a page, or remembering the next step in a multi-part drawing tutorial. Because these demands are woven naturally into an enjoyable activity, drawing is sometimes suggested as a pleasant way to give working memory some light, regular exercise.

Being Careful With the Claim

Working memory is a well-studied cognitive function, but the research on whether drawing specifically strengthens it in a lasting way is limited and mixed. It would be inaccurate to claim that drawing "trains" working memory in the way a structured cognitive exercise might. A fairer statement is that drawing tasks can engage working memory in the moment, offering a form of practice, without any guarantee that this transfers into broader, measurable improvements elsewhere.

How It Can Help in Practice

Certain drawing tasks lean on working memory more than others. Drawing from memory (rather than copying) requires holding a mental image while reproducing it on paper. Following multi-step drawing instructions requires remembering what comes next without a visual reminder. Even coloring with a chosen palette — "I'm using blue for water and green for leaves throughout this whole page" — asks a child to keep that plan active while working. These are small, everyday memory demands, repeated and reinforced through an activity kids often want to keep doing.

A Simple Activity to Try

1. Show your child an object or picture for 30 seconds, then remove it.
2. Ask them to draw it from memory as best they can.
3. Compare the drawing to the original together, without judgment — noticing what was remembered and what wasn't.
4. Repeat with a new object, gradually increasing complexity as they get comfortable.

Tips for Parents and Teachers

• Start with simple, familiar objects before moving to more complex or unfamiliar ones.
• Keep the mood playful — this works best as a game, not a test.
• Combine drawing-from-memory with verbal recall: "What color was it? What shape?"
• Don't overuse this activity; occasional practice paired with regular free drawing is a balanced approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is drawing from memory harder than copying? Why does that matter?

Yes, generally — copying allows continuous reference to the source, while drawing from memory requires holding the image mentally. That added demand is what may give working memory some light practice.

Can this kind of activity help with schoolwork?

Working memory is used in many academic tasks, like mental math or following multi-step directions, so practicing it in any enjoyable context may be broadly supportive, though results will vary by child and shouldn't be expected to show up as a direct, measurable school improvement.

What if my child gets frustrated when their memory drawing doesn't match the original?

Reframe the goal away from accuracy and toward effort and recall — "you remembered the ears and the tail, that's great" — to keep the activity encouraging rather than discouraging.

Conclusion

Holding an image or a plan in mind while drawing gives working memory a light, enjoyable workout, even if the long-term effects are still an open question. To explore a closely related thread, see our piece on memory, and try a coloring page as a relaxed way to practice keeping a color plan in mind.