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Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain
The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards
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The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards

From Marion Boddy-Evans,
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The Bottom Line

You know when things flow and you produce great work yet you’re not sure how? Betty Edwards says it’s when you’re using the brain’s right side. She explains how to do this and how anyone can draw. If you're a painter who never learned to draw and now feels your painting will benefit from doing so, hers is an approach that's interesting and achieves good results fairly quickly if you follow the exercises.
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Pros
  • Basic premise is that anyone can draw
  • Straightforward language used to explain projects
  • Skills learnt build from project to project
Cons
  • Be sure to get the new, expanded edition
  • Need the patience to read a bit between drawing

Description

  • Paperback book, 316 pages
  • 13 chapters setting out the author’s theories on right-brain drawing
  • Teaches “the five basic skills of drawing” through drawing exercises
  • Teaches perception of edges, spaces, relationships, lights and shadows, and the whole
  • Teaches basic color theory
  • Before and after student drawings will convince you that the exercises do work if done faithfully
  • Glossary explains technical art terms; index helps you find specific information
  • Chapter on the art of beautiful handwriting

Guide Review - The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards

The classic book on the concept of left / right brain activity. Written in easy-to-understand terms it explains how this can be used with a set of basic skills to learn to draw.

Basically left brain thinking is verbal and analytical. Right brain is non-verbal and intuitive, using pictures rather than words. By consciously using the right side of our brain, we are more creative. Through exercises which build up skills, you learn to access the right brain and apply the fundamental skills of drawing and observation.

If you think you haven’t any talent or can’t improve your drawing, take the time to read this book and work through the projects. Experienced artists should read it for the info on getting things to 'flow' and improving perception.

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