Continuing the idea of Betty Edwards, the authors show that the painting - it's a skill, like reading and writing. And that in many situations it may play an equally important role in human life and in culture.

The film consists of 4 episodes:

Episode 1: The Line of Enquiry (Drawing in knowledge)

The first episode shows the role played by drawing in the field of science and research. It starts with an example which illustrates the role of drawing in the work of the surgeon. In fact - a few lines on paper allows a group of surgeons is much faster and more accurate exchange of information than words. Then, in an episode showing the anatomical drawings of Leonardo Da Vinci, who played in the development of anatomy is not less important than any book on medicine. Then, pictures of horses that have been made so carefully that a few centuries before Darwin was led to the idea of ??evolutionary development. Etc.

Andrew looks at artists who have chosen the natural world as their subject matter and explores how drawing has helped man to understand his place in the universe. The programme covers the Rennaissance, the Eastern way, Turner, Constable and contemporary artists Anthony Gormley and Richard Long.

Episode 2: Storylines (Drawing in the stories)

The episode involves a drawing function as the transfer of the plot. Starting with paintings by artists that are represented more than one subject and not even one time, but the whole story, and ending with comic books and storyboards in a Hollywood production. One of those - a unique opportunity to transfer the content of the picture. As an example - a comic about the Holocaust. At first glance - this topic is impossible to imagine in this genre. But the author replaces figures Nazis cats, and the figures of prisoners - mice. The content finds a new, unusual shape, keeping the drama "Schindler's List" and komiksovoy style "Tom and Jerry."

Drawing has always been an essential tool for the telling of stories. Andrew looks at the satire of Gillray, Goya and Hogarth and its influence on photojournalism, American comics, Japanese Manga and Hollywood storyboards today.

Episode 3: All in the Mind (Drawing in our minds)

The episode is devoted to the question: "Why do we draw in this way (as we draw)?". The opinion of teachers of drawing, the opinion of scientists, physiologists, that scan mogz and eye movement during drawing. It was long thought that the history of all civilization is not more than six thousand years (from written sources). Ancient as hunters - were primitive creatures, led by instinct. But the vaults of the cave of Altamira paintings were found, which are more than 15 thousand years with excellent quality. Then shown pictures of 5-year-old girl, which is also seen a similar style paintings of animals. Children's drawings from the episode goes to the drawings by Picasso. And in those and other shows have much in common. In the words of Picasso - when he was 5 years old, he wanted to learn to draw like Raphael. But then he had spent his entire life to learn to paint again, as it turned out to 5 years.

Andrew investigates drawing as a primal human instinct and a learned discipline, looking at the earliest cave drawings and the work of David Hockney and Picasso. The programme uses the latest developments in cognitive science to examine why we draw the way we do.

Episode 4: Drawing by Design (Drawing in Design)

The final episode - to draw in design - when the drawing is transformed into things. It starts with a story about a man who created a design show Sirque du Soleil - "Ka". He created the stage for the Stones, The Wall for kicks, and many other top rock bands. Then comes the story of the painting in the history of architecture and in the end - 3D and fashion.

Andrew explores the role drawing has played in technical design and architecture, studying complex structures such as the Guggenheim and Boeing 777. From Leonardo to Libeskind, he shows how drawing has been a crucial tool in the history of scientific and technological discovery.

Homepage:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/secretofdrawing/