Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain Betty Edwards Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain

Betty Edwards The basic premise of Betty Edwards book is that drawing is a teachable, learnable skill. She suggests that drawing is not really very difficult. Seeing is the problem, or, to be more specific, shifting to a particular way of seeing.

You have two brains: a left and a right. The human brain resembles the halves of a walnut. The two halves are called the “left hemisphere” and the “right hemisphere.” The left hemisphere controls the right side of the body; the right hemisphere controls the left side.

Betty Edwards uses the term L-Mode and R-Mode to designate two (2) ways of knowing and seeing. L-Mode is your verbal and rational brain; it is a step-by-step style of thinking, using words, numbers and other symbols. L-Mode strings things out in sequences, like words in a sentence. R-Mode is your non-verbal and intuitive brain; it uses visual information and processes, not step-by-step, but all at once, like recognizing the face of a friend.

Since drawing a form is largely an R-mode function, it helps to reduce L-mode interferences as much as possible. The problem is that the left brain is dominant and speedy and is very prone to rush in with words, even taking over jobs which it is not good at. The goal is to help you shift from the dominant left-hemisphere mode to the subdominant R-mode.

Drawing from the right side of the brain by Betty Edwards LEFT hemisphere RIGHT hemisphere Controls the right side of the body Controls the left side of the body Dominant side – often takes over Subordinate side Analyzes, counts, marks time, plans step-by-step procedures, verbalizes and makes rational statements based on logic. Language functions We “see” things in this mode that may be imaginary We understand metaphors, we dream, we create new combinations of ideas Think serially and reduces thoughts to number, letters and words Thinks in patterns or pictures School is traditionally structured in the left-hemisphere mode School traditionally overlooks this mode

Betty Edwards Handout Worksheet

Realism To draw something or someone from the real world with a high degree of similarity to the observed image.

Betty Edward’s Theory Part E Betty Edwards believes that drawing is an inclusive (everyone with average eyesight and hand eye coordination) activity that is a ‘leanable’ skill just like printing and writing. Betty Edwards believes that drawing what is truly in front of us is a place to begin and that skill has to do with SEEING.

Betty Edward’s Theory Con’t. Part F Creativity is said to stem from the right side of the brain. Part G A synonym for realism is imitationalism

Answers (Fill in the blanks) drawing the outline Blind Contour hand and eye Emphasizing or by changing mediums Cross contours

Contour Drawings A contour means drawing the edges or line that define a shape or object (outline).

Blind Contour Drawings Blind contour drawing is drawing the contour outline of your subject without looking.

Modified Blind Contours You are able to modify certain elements of the blind contour drawing.

Modified Contour Drawing A modified contour drawing is done when the artist looks intently at the EDGES of an object, but rarely looks at the paper while the pencil moves.

Cross Contour Cross contours are lines which travel, as the name suggests, across the form.