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Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain

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A revised edition of the classic drawing book that has sold more than 1.7 million copies in the United States alone. Translated into more than seventeen languages, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain is the world's most widely used drawing instruction book. Whether you are drawing as a professional artist, as an artist in training, or as a hobby, this book will give you greater confidence in your ability and deepen your artistic perception, as well as foster a new appreciation of the world around you. This revised/updated fourth edition includes:

-A new preface and introduction;
-Crucial updates based on recent research on the brain's plasticity and the enormous value of learning new skills/ utilizing the right hemisphere of the brain;
new focus on how the ability to draw on the strengths of the right hemisphere can serve as an antidote to the increasing left-brain emphasis in American life-the worship of all that is linear, analytic, digital, etc.;
-An informative section that addresses recent research linking early childhood "scribbling" to later language development and the importance of parental encouragement of this activity;
-And new reproductions of master drawings throughout

A life-changing book, this fully revised and updated edition of Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain is destined to inspire generations of readers to come.

284 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2012

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About the author

Betty Edwards

26 books533 followers

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5 stars
81 (52%)
4 stars
41 (26%)
3 stars
19 (12%)
2 stars
6 (3%)
1 star
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Profile Image for R.A. Bentinck.
Author 18 books6 followers
September 6, 2024
I picked up Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain with high hopes and was not disappointed; it's genuinely transformative! The techniques shared within these pages go far beyond mere drawing—they encouraged me to perceive the world around me in an entirely new way.

One thing that struck me was how effectively it challenges preconceived notions about art and talent; it's all about practice and mindset! The step-by-step exercises pushed me outside my comfort zone while still providing enough guidance not to feel overwhelmed.

Since diving into this book, I've seen vast improvements in my skills and confidence as an artist. Whether you're just starting or looking to refresh your perspective on creativity, I'd highly recommend giving this one a read—it's worth every moment invested!
Profile Image for D.S. Watson.
31 reviews2 followers
June 7, 2024
There are lots of great excercises to do in this book. I'll admit it's geared more toward a beginner artist, but it could benefit more experienced amateurs to strengthen their skills.
25 reviews
January 17, 2025
shockingly, this book did just as advertised. Over one month, my drawing skills went from that of a 3rd grader, to better than i ever thought possible to produce by myself. worth every penny.
Profile Image for Linda Austin.
577 reviews15 followers
April 4, 2024
This read contained a lot of strategies to help improve drawing skills. Basically, they are: looking for shapes within the subject, drawing images upside down, studying a composition with a view finder, focusing on negative spaces, how to best fill the page for the subject, using proper perspective, recognizing correct facial proportions, and shading. Some of these were new to me and some I had used before. Overall, I believe this was a helpful read.
Profile Image for kathi.
37 reviews1 follower
March 24, 2025
I completed every exercise and I feel I could say that 'I can draw'. I believe that in all arts, there's always room to discover more and the practice is never completed. This method is great for a complete beginner and for the more practiced draughtsperson.
Profile Image for Nadia.
258 reviews
June 21, 2024
An interesting and different way to approach drawing learning, progaming our brain to work on our favor, and training our eyes to see shapes and not just things.
Profile Image for Carys.
141 reviews
September 7, 2024
It is very good, I ended up not finishing it, but that is only because my art work is going a different direction at the moment. If you want help with drawing you want this book.
17 reviews
January 7, 2025
This book and Mr. Stewart helped me learn how to draw.
Profile Image for Lym Six.
2 reviews
June 27, 2025
this book made me a good drawer but it didnt make my english gooder
Profile Image for Verónica Durán.
9 reviews
March 20, 2024
Aunque actualmente se haya demostrado que el funcionamiento del cerebro y las conexiones entre ambos hemisferios son más complejas que la simple lateralidad, este libro resulta muy útil a la hora de identificar las trabas que nuestra cabeza inventa cuando intentamos plasmar en el papel lo que vemos. Descubrimos entonces que no se trata tanto de una cuestión de incapacidad, sino de la importancia de advertir ciertas tendencias de nuestra mente, y dibujar con disciplina y constancia. Otro aspecto que me ha gustado mucho del libro es que rompe una lanza a favor del dibujo como habilidad que todo humano puede desarrollar si recibe la formación adecuada, como cuando aprendemos a escribir. Aunque de ahí a que uno termine haciendo carrera como dibujante o mismo como artista, media un trecho.
Profile Image for Ashley Owen.
50 reviews
February 17, 2025
This guide is a classic, I've been very slowly rereading it off and on over the last year or so whenever I get the urge to draw. It's the same book my instructor in college used, and it genuinely changed the way I looked at the art form completely. Before using this book, I was one of those people who would tell you with a nervous laugh that I mess up drawing stick people. The drawing instructor was also really great, so the book gets a lot of credit, but not all of it.
Profile Image for Tewedaju Lij.
2 reviews
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June 14, 2022
Good
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Amanda .
59 reviews1 follower
October 25, 2023
Neuroscience applied to drawing techniques, and how to change and enhance perception to improve observation and get into a flow state. Full of exercises. Good for teaching.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews

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