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| Eli Liang's Self-portrait, Moscow, April 2001 | |
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What is it? (Russian version) Drawing
on the Right side of the Brain
is an intensive method of teaching drawing, building artistic confidence,
and gaining access to the creative part of the mind. Developed by
American art teacher Dr. Betty Edwards, it is based on Nobel-prize-winning
brain research by psychobiologist Dr. Roger Sperry. |
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Does it work? Have a look for yourself: the drawing on the left of each pair was done on Monday before instruction began, and the one on the right, by the same student on Friday, five days later (Click on the small pictures to see them up close). I taught this particular course in Sweden in 1999 and 2000. These
are Mikke's Drawings, Monday and Friday: These
are Anna's, Monday and Friday: And
these are Patrick's, Monday and Friday:
How does it work? The
insights Dr. Edwards gained from Dr. Sperry's work pointed to the
fact that the right hemisphere of the brain has a sense of space,
patterns, and creativity, and draws well naturally. The left hemisphere
senses language, logic and symbols, cannot draw realistically at
all.
What does one learn in the class? Once access to the creative right hemisphere is established, we teach the 5 basic perceptual skills that are the basis of all drawing: The perception of Edges The perception of Space The perception of Relative Angles and Proportions The perception of Light and Shadow The perception of the Whole
More information The
latest edition of Betty Edwards' book, Drawing on the Right side
of the Brain: It's all here. The original edition was a ground-breaking
revelation in the field of art education. This newest edition is
expanded and includes refinements developed over two decades by
Betty and her associates. The Sculpture Sequel Often, my version of Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain does not stop with drawing, but continues on to 3 dimensions. In Alaska, Finland, Sweden and Russia, I have followed Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain with a class in Sculpture: clay, ice, or both. Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain opens the student's eyes, teaches how to See Forms in Space. Then they can sculpt, amazingly well. Click on this small picture to go to a page on the sculpture results from the Swedish and Russian classes:
Links I was taught and certified by Betty Edwards to teach the course. Among my colleagues with that certification, is Kristin Newton, whose wonderful website shows her enormous success with the method in Japan and Hong Kong. The official Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain website, www.drawright.com: This site includes class schedules with other certified teachers and Betty Edwards herself.My Class Schedules: Where and when you can take a class with me.
About
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