Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain – using the book to teach others how to draw
This review of Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards is written from the perspective of a teacher using the book to teach drawing to others.
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In 1995 a Mum and her daughter approached me wanting to learn how to draw. I had a degree in Graphic design but I hadn’t taught art lessons before (my teaching experience was limited to Sunday school and student Bible study groups). So I went to our local book shop and small library in Kimberley, South Africa and eagerly searched the shelves for some inspiration.
THIS is the book I discovered way back then called ‘Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain’ by Betty Edwards:
This is the 1983 edition
I was intrigued by Betty Edwards’ bold assertion that ANYBODY can learn how to draw. Like riding a bicycle, there are a few simple techniques that can be learnt which will improve anyone’s drawing ability. I was also impressed by her unconventional exercises and was eager to try them out on students! They made perfect sense and I wondered why I had never tried these before through all my years of studying art at school at Uni.
Related how-to draw articles on my blog:
- Drawing Dogs – Some Tips, Tricks and Tools
- Drawing with pastels – some tips for beginners
- How to draw the human face
This book is based on the principle that the right half of our brain is more intuitive and artistic. We are far more accustomed to utlising the left hemisphere of our brains in modern life with its emphasis on all that is linear, analytic and digital. The exercises focus on trying to quieten the critical left brain and encourage the visual right brain.
So I complied a six week course and worked through the book with the Mum and her daughter. It’s hard to describe that moment on the last day when the Mum looked at her final artwork and her whole face lit up with delight and exclaimed “I drew that!” That moment got me hooked on the book as well as teaching this course to others.
Since then we have moved house, cities, countries and even hemispheres a few times (about 10 times – I think!) We have finally settled in Ireland and once again I looked for the book but as it wasn’t in our local library or book shops I ordered this version off the internet:
1993 Edition
Since practicing the exercises myself as well as teaching summer art camps to kids for the past six years
This book is aimed at adults but I have had success with kids too, depending on the child. Because the book talks about the processes of the mind as we draw, I have found that the older the student, the better the results! Some of the concepts may be tricky for younger kids to grasp (although not always as you can see in the work of the 8 year old above). The exercises force one to draw in ways that one may never have before and I find adults are usually more patient. They also seem to ‘get’ the logic behind the exercises.
The most recent edition of this book looks like this:
2013 Edition
If you can’t find this book in your local bookstore, you can still find all of those versions online today by clicking on any of those images.
Here’s the blurb from the back of the book.
“
Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain is the world’s most widely used drawing instruction book. Whether you are a professional, a student or enjoy art as a hobby Betty Edwards’ practical set-by-step guide to drawing will give you greater confidence in your ability, deepen your artistic perception and provide a new way to appreciate the way you perceive the world around you, a shift to the right side of the brain that utilises its more intuitive and artistic aspects of thinking… This life-changing book, now fully revised and updated, will continue to inspire generations of readers.”
If you are looking for a book to teach others how to draw, I would highly recommend Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.
Do you draw? What other drawing books do you recommend?
Self portraits above drawn by Fia aged 8.
shop here for a range of works by world famous artists
Shop for your art supplies here:
These are the products that I use and I would recommend for their quality, all of them are of the highest standard and, if cared for, will last many years.
Winsor & Newton Medium Charcoal Stick (Pack of 12)
Caran D’Ache Supracolor Soft Pencils – Assorted Colours (Tin of 80)
Faber-Castell 128324 Goldfaber Studio Soft Pastel Chalks Pack of 24 Assorted Colours
Ingres Pastel Paper Spiral Pad 6 Assorted Colours DALER-ROWNEY – 16 x 12″
And to finish, I also highly recommend this book ‘Drawing with Colour’ by Judy Martin. Filled with beautiful work and helpful tips in a range of media, it is hard to read this book and not feel inspired afterwards:
Drawing with Colour Hardcover – 26 Oct 1989 by Judy Martin
This sounds interesting! I may have to check this one out.
Hope you enjoy it as much as I have!
I love art and am forever looking for ways to improve! I might have to check out this book!
It would be ideal for you then!
This is a very interesting read, another book to add to my reading list too! X
Definitely worth it!
Wow, this is amazing, my son loves drawing, I need to look into getting this boo for him
He may need a bit of adult guidance as some of the exercises are quite technical but it’s definitely a great book for improving your drawing.
You have a degree in graphic design!??
You have a degree in graphic design!?
LOL yes, about a million years ago. You sound shocked. 😂
Not shocked but surprised. I wanted to be a graphic designer but couldn’t because of some personal reasons. The fact that you have this degree somewhat made me happy and I smiled instantly after I read that line.
Not shocked but surprised. I wanted to be a graphic designer but couldn’t because of some personal reasons. The fact that you have the degree made me smile instantly. I felt happy and I don’t know why.😊
Lovely! Sorry you couldn’t become one though. 😐
Haha.. it’s okay now and too late. You’re here though, the graphic designer! Is that your profession?
Well I’m not working full time as one any more although I occasionally do freelance jobs when they pop up.
Great. You have a great family life, from what I’ve seen on social media😃. Did you work full time before?
Yes I did, before our eldest was born 16 years ago. I helped pay the way for my hubby to finish his master’s degree 😊 and since then I’ve only ever worked part time.
Wow. You have a story to tell!!!
😊😊
I loved the concept of this, will definitely be checking it out.
It certainly is a clever theory and seems to produce amazing results.
Wow – sounds quite interesting. Might look into it #themmlinky
Hopefully you do, it’s brilliant! Thanks for stopping by.
Looks like a good book to add to my wish list!
Good idea, hopefully the wish list will come true at your birthday or Christmas! 😊
wow! I have myself down as an absolute non drawer , but maybe I could be . Am always envious of people who can!!
It is incredible, if you have a look in the book at samples of where some people start – with absolutely dire drawings 😀 to where they progress – some unbelievable work, it’s almost miraculous!! It’s funny how the skill of drawing is universally appealing.
I would love to be able to draw better! This is very interesting!
It would really help you! Maybe you could find an old copy in your local library and try some of the exercises.
Definitely going on my amazon wish list! <3 #TheMMLinky
Great! You can pick up a second hand copy for next to nothing – that’s what I did!
I can draw a bit, but I’d love to improve and this book sounds really interesting! Thanks for sharing #TheMMLinky
This is definitely the book to read if you’d like to improve!
This looks a little more complicated than Kawaii 😂 Looks great though, have subscribed for me and Eva to try out! X
It really is a great book and may seem complicated but really all you need is just a bit of patience! 🙂 I hope you noth enjoy it. xx