Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain was maybe one of the earliest and most influential books which helped form my life experience. Doing the exercises I could palpably feel the shift in my brain and it was very relaxing like meditation aims to be. I greatly value my ability to really look at things and seem to have gained a mental health tool through this practice. What a valuable gift to humanity, thank you, Betty Edwards! 💕
SHOCKING! I got this book years and years ago and I shocked myself by not only finishing it but drawing really well. I think of Betty often for there are few books that have made a difference to me.
What I find sad these days is (pardon my milenialism) that wisdom like this and mentors that are a beautiful shadow of a long past time are being pushed aside and seemingly forgotten amidst the TikTok and modern RU-vid filled with clout rappers and pretty faced. Personally Im a lover of this kind of thing Shes born in 1926 and i own both her books. God blessed her talents so much and im glad im on this earth when I am
I bought Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain in 1989. It introduced me to the two mental hemispheres as modes, and I've adopted Betty's terminology, because the brain does not think, it transmits thought. The book also showed me that in consciously following my intuition since 1973 (on a dedicated "search for Truth" - that I'll be on until I die), I was actually developing my right hemispheric perception. I'm now an R-mode scientist, and have developed the ability to see the 90% of reality that is the 4-Dimensional living context for the 10% of reality that is 3-Dimensional content. I'm presently writing a first draft of a book on the Unified Field & a Concept of Everything, while simultaneously teaching the language of the R-mode (coloured illustration) that enables whole-minded perception. This is our next quantum leap in our evolutionary journey. Colours are to the R-mode what words are to the L-mode. Both mental modes are designed to function in sync to process our experiences, learn from our mistakes, and grow in awareness and wisdom. I look forward to getting Betty's latest book. Jessica, would you please pass on to Betty my greatest respect, gratitude, and admiration for her?
Jessica and Betty, I admire you both!! Betty's first book changed my life a long time ago! I'm a left- eyed, left- handed artist. You are both brilliant!!!
What a great interview. I didn't realise how drawing and psychology went together until now. I have just bought Betty's old book. Can't wait to start it. I'm a right hemisphere and a left hand. Not sure what that says about me. Haha. Thanks for the vid.
I just ordered the book. Years ago I took a class in “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain”. I was amazed at what I could do. I took the class , not just to learn to draw, but to see things differently. I didn’t continue but now I plan to and just ordered your newest book. Thank you so much for sharing such important information!
Hi Jessica. I'm new at drawing at 56 yrs old. I decided at the beginning of the year that I was going to learn, and I'm in the process. My question is, since I'm left eye dominant but right handed, would that affect my learning? Thanks to you and Betty for this video. Happy New Year. 😊
Great interview. Her first book changed my life forever. I can’t wait to read her new one. Thanks for posting this. I loved last year’s interview also. Are you on Instagram?
Ms. Betty Edwards has influenced so many people including myself. I purchased the second edition of Drawing on the Right Side and was amazed at my ability to actually draw. Completing all the exercises some years ago really opened my eyes into more than drawing. In a staff meeting recently I asked for members to raise their hands if they felt drawing was an innate skill - and most raised their hands. I explained to them that was a myth and encouraged them to read the book (drawing on right side). I'm going to go through the book again, but found I gave my book to a friend some time ago (shows how much I valued her work and wanted to share). Fortunately, I found a copy and will begin the study again. Very excited! Afterward, I'll check Dr. Edwards' latest Drawing on the Dominant Eye.
And thank you Darling, Jessica Antonelli, for interviewing someone so influential to what most today may seem "out of date" (when really Dr. Betty Edwards is absolutely not).
It's been a while since this interview was posted. I find it very interesting because I have very different vision in my two eyes; the right one has an out pouching at the back so I am very nearsighted in that eye and wear one contact lens. It means I lost my 3-D capability in my youth (I'm now 66.) My drawings very often come out wonky in angles or asymmetrical. I wonder what effects my vision has on my drawing.
Sounds like your vision may give you a unique style! Even with vision differences, the more you draw the more neural connections you'll make and you'll begin to see improvements in accuracy and the way you see your surroundings and drawing subjects. Good luck on your drawing journey!
@@JessicaAntonelli Thanks. I bought Dr. Edwards' latest book, on the dominant eye and looking forward to reading it. I will learn to embrace the wonky!! 🙂
@@patriciacrumrine5890 you will definitely have your own style, something to celebrate! Enjoy, and shoot me a comment if you have any drawing obstacles I can help with! I'm planning some new tutorials and always looking for suggestions 🙂
I'm not convinced about the "simple test to find which eye is dominant". It depends upon which I you CHOOSE to close before pointing at the object, I close my left eye point at the object switch eyes, yep ok my fingers shifts to one side, close my right eye, point and switch eyes and my finger shifts to the other side!!!!! so my confidence in this lady's methods is immediately deminished!
The annoying thing about the "simple test" is that it works way better when you don't know why you're supposed to be doing it! It's tricky to turn off the overthinking part of your brain once you know the reason for it. I have to say I envy you if it's a close call between both eyes! I am sooo right eye dominant I find I'm sometimes only focusing through my right eye. It's weird. Anyway, Dr. Edward's methods when it comes to learning to draw anyway are still quite miraculous, I must evangelize. If you're interested in learning to draw, I highly recommend her upside-down drawing activity! Works wonders for new and experienced artists :)
@@JessicaAntonelli No, I'm not illustrating that I am neither left or right dominant, only that the test will NOT tell you which you are - try it! close your left eye, point swap eyes, your finger will shift to one side. Now close your right eye, point, swap eyes and your finger will miraculously have moved to the OTHER side - we have two eyes so we can triangulate distances and there's (wait for it) a gap between them, which means there will always be this shift. I am working through her latest workbook, but I have a major issue turning off the left brain, I'll persevere though. I am totally in awe of her book, and her methods, it's just that the closed eye test does her no favours!
@@jixipix2326 lol I just realized we're doing very different versions of this test! The one that I first learned as a kid starts with keeping both eyes open, focusing on something far-away-ish, and using your fingers to create a frame around the subject. Then you pull your hand-frame up to your face without thinking about it too much and see which eye you naturally focus with. That's the one I was referencing earlier. I was just messing around with the test as Betty described it in the video and I see what you mean about triangulation. I think the juice of that test is that when you first try it and instinctually close an eye and focus, you tend to use your dominant eye since you see with it better. Of course, it would work from the opposite eye but your first instinct wouldn't be to use your non-dominant eye. Another way to try the test is to focus on something far away (with both eyes open), point at it, and then close one eye to see if your finger is still on the target or if it has shifted. Whichever eye maintains the finger-target without shifting is the dominant one. All I know after trying to point and focus the last minute or two is that I am ready for lasik surgery! Sheesh if it's not 2 feet away I'm going blind. Good luck working through her workbook! So many great assignments. If you'd like the boost of community motivation and support and feedback from me, check out my free online art school, school.jessicaantonelli.com We nerd out about this kind of stuff and share our drawings there, we'd love to have you!
Try doing it with both eyes open first. Point at a small clear subject at a distance with both eyes open. Keep pointing and try closing one eye then swap to the the other, without moving your finger. With which eye is the finger closer to the subject? That’s your dominant eye. Happy drawing 😃
Hi Jessica, i have a question. Existe posiblidad de tener algún problema por estimular por demás el lado derecho del cerebro? Alguna persona que usando ese método haya tenido alguna cuestión psiquiátrica? Saludos
@@JessicaAntonelli though I have been drawing nearly (it would seem 😉) since birth, and I have already, a fairly keen eye for spatial relationships, I have recently hit a visual “snag” (call it a block of you will) and ordered the third edition of Bettys book in order to immerse myself once again in the more liberal use of her techniques. We’re in the middle of a global pandemic and I find I have a great deal more time on my hands, so if not now when? Right? I mean, if I can’t devote such down time to my art then I am much leas determined than previously assumed. 🤔😉😂 It was in looking for visual application of this learning process that led me here and I am glad I found you. Both “liked and subscribed”, and looking forward to following along in your artful journey as I rediscover myself own. 💕
@@clairebeane3455 oh hooray! It's a plus in tough times to get back to the sketchbook, drawing can be so therapeutic. :) love to havw you check out my free online art community, you xan post your work and get drawing prompts and be cheered on by our group :) school.jessicaantonelli.com
@@JessicaAntonelli I couldn’t agree more Jessica!! I am convinced I would go stark raving if I did not have my art. I will absolutely check out your art community!! It is immeasurable, the help that comes from the encouragement of others!! I look forward to becoming a part of the group!! 💕
So if I’m left eye dominant but right handed, I can’t be a good artist. But I love art, see pictures in everything,but I struggle with drawing,but I practiced.
Not at all Denise! You can work up your drawing abilities no matter which eye or hand is dominant. If you'd like some help check out my online art school at school.jessicaantonelli.com, you can sign up for 2 weeks free and try out some of the courses. I'd recommend the course BAD Artist Bootcamp, which is for total beginners, or "From Stick Figures to Savvy Sketches". Just unsubscribe before the 2 weeks is up so you won't be charged, or of course if you like it we have lots of fun in there and live classes most Tuesday nights!
I tested this at arms length looking with one eye my left eye, and then I opened my right eye and it had moved to the left. I did just the opposite and looked at the same point with my left eye closed and my right eye then opened and it went to the right.Be doing something wrong
Hi Sarah, try focusing on on object through the triangle of your hands (with both eyes open) and then close your left and then switch to your right eye. Whichever eye still shows the object through the triangle should be your dominant eye! Let me know how it goes :)
@@JessicaAntonelli I had the same results as Sarah, depending on which eye I closed in the beginning of the test, it moved both times. I tried the triangle method and I’m definitely right eyed. Thanks for the help.
@@JessicaAntonelli hi this was a little bit difficult. I had the triangle too big and I could see the object with both eyes with the opposite closed. I tried it with a smaller triangle and when I closed my right eye I could see it with my left eye but not if I close my left eye I could not see it with my right eye so I guess I am left eye dominant. I thank you so much for clearing this up and I loved the video.
Hey there! I'd use the Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain book to start with, this one is a little more theoretical. But having one-eyed vision can be helpful, it gives you a more 2D view of the world which is just what you need when drawing on a 2D paper! I hope you enjoy.
Hi, I believe each eye is dominated by its OPPOSITE, so the left eye is connected to the right side and vice-versa. But be sure to check out Betty's book for the full & fascinating story!
Very common and a great recipe for getting onto the artistic path! Definitely check out Betty's book for the whole story, she's the expert. In the meantime, follow your creative urges and we can't encourage learning to draw enough if you haven't already started. Our culture trains us to use the left side of our brain more (see me and Betty's first interview for more-on my channel) but you may have an easier time getting into the flow state and enjoying doodling and painting than right-handers. It's all about the process and learning to see like an artist, so let go of any perfectionist tendencies and have fun!