Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain

01Understanding the Functions of the Brain's Two Hemispheres

Ever scratched your head, wondering why some people can effortlessly sketch a lifelike portrait while you struggle to draw a simple stick figure? The answer lies not in the hand, but in the brain. More specifically, it's all about which side of the brain you're using. Our brain is divided into two hemispheres, each with its unique set of functions. The left hemisphere is like a meticulous project manager. It's analytical, loves words and numbers, and processes information in a linear and logical manner. It's the side of the brain that helps you solve a math problem, write an essay, or follow a recipe. On the other hand, the right hemisphere is more like an artist. It's intuitive, excels at visual tasks, and perceives things holistically. It's the side of the brain that helps you recognize faces, understand metaphors, or appreciate a beautiful sunset. When it comes to drawing, the right hemisphere is the star of the show. It's the right hemisphere that allows us to see and interpret shapes, spaces, relationships, and the overall 'big picture'. For instance, when drawing a face, the right hemisphere helps us see the face as a whole, rather than a collection of individual features. It's this holistic understanding and interpretation that are crucial in drawing. In Betty Edwards' book, "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain", she describes a drawing task where the participant is asked to draw a chair. Those who approach the task with their left hemisphere tend to focus on the individual parts of the chair - the legs, the backrest, the seat - and their drawing ends up looking disjointed and unbalanced. But those who tap into their right hemisphere see the chair as a whole, understanding the relationship between the parts, and their drawing looks more accurate and lifelike. So, how can we shift from left hemisphere thinking to right hemisphere thinking to improve our drawing skills? Edwards provides a range of techniques and exercises in her book to help make this shift. One of these techniques is called 'contour drawing'. The purpose of this technique is to train your brain to see and draw lines as they are, not as you think they should be. To practice this technique, you start by picking a simple object, like your hand. Instead of looking at your paper, you focus your gaze on your hand, slowly tracing the outline with your eyes and letting your hand mimic the movement on the paper. It might feel strange at first, but with practice, you'll find your drawings becoming more accurate and lifelike. Understanding the functions of our brain's hemispheres and learning to tap into the capabilities of the right hemisphere can significantly improve our drawing skills. But the implications go beyond drawing. Imagine what else we could achieve if we learned to leverage the unique functions of our brain's hemispheres in other areas of our lives.