I discovered Betty Edward’s “Drawing On The Right Side Of The Brain” some 20 years ago. The basic concept is that the logical ‘left side’ of the brain tends to dominate and simplify what you see whereas as an artist you need to let the literal and artistic ‘right side’ have its say. Even although I know the theory I still find it a struggle today, especially when drawing and painting detail. The conversation goes something like this:
Right Side: I’m going to draw the centre of the flower now. What does it look like?
Left Side: It’s yellow. Draw something yellow.
Right Side: But there’s more than that to it. Let me see.
Left Side: Trust me it’s yellow. Maybe some things sticking up. But they’re yellow too, so draw something yellow.
Right Side: What shape? How many? What shade of yellow?
Left Side: That’s too much detail. You’ll be finished sooner if you just splash some yellow paint there. No-one will notice.
Right Side: But I want to be more accurate than that. Please let me see.
Left Side: It’s for you’re own good. Just yellow.
etc.
Normally I solve the problem by resorting to wearing a handsfree magnifying visor. What trick do you use?
