SpeakerSeries | Betty Edwards: Learning to Draw for Thinking's Sake 

I'm now a professional illustrator thanks to her book getting me started a decade ago this year. I genuinely owe her so much not just professionally but for giving me structure and direction when my life had little and I felt lost ❣️

this woman basically ruined my life it's a miracle I was able to figure out how to draw after that stupid book seem to imply some kind of trance was From one faces to another when it's really just pure knowledge you learn about things and you have knowledge of it and you draw on it and I will prove it I'm a machine God now I could've been just a happy doodler but this woman has to have some hacker rear now I have to be a god

I’m 70 and had no drawing or art teaching as a young boy other than here is some paper and a crayon. So unsurprisingly, as Betty said, I just gave up, then told in secondary school that I had no skill. I do like art in galleries etc but never took it up again as I can’t draw. However, in Jan I said I don’t care I’m going to paint thing anyway, so took up watercolour. But I am only badly copying someone else’s drawings. I ordered Betty’s book from Amazon and it arrived a few days ago. The workbook is yet to arrive from America. Her book on colour arrived yesterday and now this Video has appeared on my RU-vid feed today. From what I have read and hearted today, I am in full agreement with Betty. I hope oldies like me can benefit from your teaching Betty. I’ll read though the book fully and then a second time working through the workbook too. Now where’s my pencil…..

I so enjoyed this. I feel like I’ve had a Masterclass in drawing. Took up drawing in March of this year (I’m 58j and it has added so much to my life.

So glad this found me. Started drawing on the right side at age 14 and it totally saved my sanity. Ironically, my art teacher, Nancy Herbert, was using Nicolaides' The Natural Way to Draw, which Edwards mentions as a source of inspiration ONE YEAR BEFORE Drawing on the Right Side was published!!! Ms. Herbert knew that she was onto something but never had the time to turn her notes into a coherent text. So I'm 68 now and I can confirm that drawing is like speaking: even if you have no ambition to become an orator, you would feel handicapped without it.

A remarkable lady! Very interesting to see and hear the woman behind the book! Thank you!

You are all so lucky to have had this time with Betty Edwards and I am insanely jealous. I am a drawing Instructor at a community college in New Hampshire and I would give my left brain for such an amazing opportunity to hear and speak with her.

I admire Betty Edwards for her passion that the use of the right brain can be taught and should be taught starting at a g age. I taught art at high school level and used her approach to teaching art, I want to think that learning to access the right brain influences our thinking process. I love this woman

Betty Edwards still going strong for her age. Wishing her good health and life. I've learned to draw following her book more than 15 years ago!

Practical Course in Memory Drawing by: E G Lutz, 1930. Memory Drawing Perceptual Training and Recall by: Darren R. Rousar, 2013 Mind and Memory Training by: Ernest E. Wood, 1937 The Training of Memory in Art and The Education of the Artist by: Le Coq de Boisboudran, 1911 A lot of these older texts are before copyright laws and can be found online for free.

I loved Betty Edwards books and reading them and working through the exercises changed my life. When I learned to see, it gave me the permission to think outside the box. It caused me to persue art and change my course in life. Thank you Betty.

Great interview. I have become a fan of her book after diving into it, and I use her approach in my free hand drawing classes as well as in my own practice when I sketch and illustrate. Getting to know her story better in this video has just made me a bigger fan.

Seems as though drawing (or other art forms) can serve as a gateway to access the higher functions of the right brain... Or any name we care to give that realm in which brilliance (light!) Awaits us.

I love Betty Edwards! Her book is one I never lend out, it’s so precious to me. All my life I believed I was not artistic- couldn’t draw. Worked my way through her book then got accepted on an art foundation course. All we need sometimes to to be helped to find another route to achieving a goal. Fantastic lady, thank you for changing the way I see my own talents.

Great book. If you want to learn how to draw, this is the one book to get first. Although I think the instructions for how to do blind contour are better in "The Natural Way to Draw" by Kimon Nicolaides.

I used Betty Edwards’ books as an art teacher. Kids initially were not very motivated, actually were sceptical that they would ever be able to draw anything. I was surprised, as were they, how quickly and successfully they were able to make pictures that pleased them and were appreciated by others. The method avoided the emotional blockages to drawing and so the kids used the ability they had, seeing and judging, and they were successful. Great time.

This was such an enlightening interview with Betty Edwards. What a lovely and insightful woman! I have been a reading teacher for over 35 years and always believed that art/drawing and creativity were connected with reading, in order for students to fully comprehend and tap into the deeper elements within a story. I am so grateful that Betty helps validate the importance of drawing and activating the right brain. Truly, reading and drawing ARE twins! Thank you so much. :)

I Surely hope she sees this note. She Is A trailblazer…as a Art teacher for many years..I just knew this information was key. I used her upside down drawing technique many many times And Always had students who said they couldn’t draw…sparkle..when they finished! They did so they were sure they couldn’t do…and that was Such a joy and inspiration to me! Every thing she says here about education the way it is and the way children learn…IS more relevant than ever!!! Eternally grateful to you Ms. Edwards 🫶

Thank you , enjoyed this video. Interesting topic. I thought I was the only person to trick my brain so I could make myself get into a task. I hope that makes sense. I am much more comfortable in the right brain hemisphere. 😂

Many years ago I did the first exercise in her book and it instantly changed my drawing for the better, and how I look at things in the world. Love, this interview/class so much!! Thank you :)

I believe that drawing is a response, an investigation, a need to understand and make sense, not the application of a set of basic skills. It is not like reading. We also need to untangle drawing from art. It isn't art. Whilst ever we judge the outcome of drawing as art it will always result in children being told they can't draw. Drawing may well lead a child to become an artist but that should never be the goal. The value of drawing and in fact all creative activities to human development is invaluable and beyond the comprehension of the academic world.

This book changed my life

I stop because I was stucked...I had no guideline and I was frustred with the amont of time I was drawing but without seeing any consistency in my skills.

Oh Betty, thank you for your Drawing On the Right Side of the Brain. It was the textbook for one of my early drawing classes. I learned how to see! I tell people that say they can't draw that it's a skill that can be learned just like math. I went to Venice HS. I think that the arts generally are not valued.

I love Betty Edward's! ❤ This was a very informative video. She really is a very interesting lady. I learned a lot from this video and I especially loved the Q& A. Thanks for having her today. 🙂

Betty is a golden treasure ❤️

This woman is an absolute godsend! Thank you for sharing!

Great listen! Love this discussion and delving into depth on drawing, learning and thinking. Thank you.

Betty Edwards you are AWESOME!!! Your perspective is refreshing. Thank you for all your dedication.

I admire her mind. She's older than my grandma and you can talk to her still with her right mind. Unlike my grandma, who has memory problem. She forgets every detail of present happenings every minute.😲

Can’t understand what people are saying, the audio and video are not good

Fascinating. Can people learn to draw cartoon characters, objects, etc. from their imagination or is that a different skill/talent? This is more about drawing what you see like a face or piece of fruit?

¡Hola Darius y compañeros! Les envío un saludo desde Costa Rica. Les quiero contar a ustedes y a la profesora Edwars (quiero pedirle que le haga llegar este comentario a ella). Mi mamá de 95 años padece de un temblor corporal total en forma intermitente debido a la angustia, según el diagnóstico médico, luego de ver varios videos y la traducción del libro de la profesora puse a mi mamá a hacer garabatos con la mano izquierda en una crisis y mientras ella garabateaba su cuerpo se calmó. Otro día al iniciar la crisis la puse a garabatear y no llegó al punto máximo llorar, dolor de cabeza y espalda. Además pudo dormir la noche muy bien. Un fuerte abrazo para la profesora Edwars desde 🇨🇷

I know that this is a comment page, but I wonder if there a way to contact Betty, perhaps through her publisher? I am a retired art teacher and have several questions about the ideas she discusses here. The idea of the right brain's more holistic perception is so valuable and applies to changes we could make in our approach to global affairs, the criminal justice system, race relations, etc. I would love to be able to ask her directly. Thanks very much.

Fortunate that I found this video with author of one of my favorite books. Reviewed your videos and new subscriber here.

What a wonderful treasure Betty is. I am so inspired. One of the best algorithm catches. Finally I can say bless you, to You Tube!!!

As a former teacher I have thought that for the last 30+ years education has focused on concrete methodologies of instruction and completely ignored abstract methods completely.

Betty is truly amazing. May I comment on Viola's question at 43:00. Could it be that as with the Romans reinventing, reinstalling the new order by appropriating the ways/skin of others/ the Spartans blood thirsty culture and then the passive nonconforming Christian as a way to overcome others peoples they could not defeat in open battle, as in the Celtic tribes and acquire their Celtic skills in artistry, and once overcame through spiritual practice by the Roman, art would only be allowed for the propagandizing and glorification of the state elite and military and not for personal expression , cultural record; development or nostalgia, art along with indigenous language would be considered crime against the state and punishable by death. It's no wonder parents in the modern west are historically reluctant to encourage/allow their children or themselves to play freely with art.

Everyone should always learn to draw from upside down photos to begin with.

Love this, what Mrs. Betty is saying. I have children teaches how to draw and I have enjoyed it. See how they struggled at the start and the problems they saw. After a while the problems were gone and they love to do the assignments and I have loved it too. I didn’t get any salary I did it because I wanted to learn how to do this with children. There was and is no money for an art teacher on the elementary school. The best time ever.

I cannot believe that this has not changed the way we educate! Betty Edwards exceptional!!!!

Ho imparato a disegnare a 72 anni durante la pandemia leggendo il libro " Disegnare con la parte destra del cervello" ringrazio Betty Eduwars sono riuscita a disegnare la natura morta di "Caravaggio" ed è riuscita benissimo. Ho consigliato questo libro agli amici e a qualche insegnante. Lunga vita Betty.

One of the best books I ever worked with... Drawing on the right side of the brain

Yes the teachers don’t know how to draw so they are not going to teach it..

Thank you group and MS Edwards!

Drawing is easy to listen to from this woman.

Betty! Abraços do Brasil! Te amo!

This is considered illegal and insane in Canada

This is excellent!

Love her book

Loved your book...read it in middle school...and later...my middle school teacher Ms. Clausen taught us your Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain book...I have lived an enriched life because of art...went to college for art...I am 43 now...I love your ideas on learning. Thanks so much!

love this I have always loved art and have done it all my life and as the years have gone by my skills have improved , by tapping into the right side of the brain and connecting with in in a spiritual sense connecting with the universe and higher self. That being said I have been able to learn and do different things in my artwork that I have never been taught as i did not have the opportunity to go to school for art I have not had any training . I so wish there would be more training in school for this . I also find for me any ways going with in and connecting spiritually Thank you Betty I have your book I purchased it and am enjoying going through it. Betty is so right on wow what an amazing lady Thank you again.th

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What a wonderful Masterclass! Thanks so much to all of you, specially to Professor Betty Edwards whose teaching methodology I know since the early 80’s when I took my first classes on Drawing with the right side of the brain. Such an amazing book. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🌷🌷🦋🐝🪁🌷🎨