I've been learning how to draw, and one of the unexpected side effects has been a big change how I look at the world. Before, I think I'd see the world in symb

I've been learning how to draw, and one of the unexpected side effects has been a big change how I look at the world. Before, I think I'd see the world in symbols - that person has brown hair, eyes, a nose, a mouth, etc but not specific shapes. Drawing has taught me to be better at seeing edges, light, texture, shadows and negative space (space between objects). Subjectively, I feel like my visual memory has gotten much better, since moving away from thinking in symbols means things blend together less.