Drawing on the right side of the brain
by Betty Edwards · first published 1982
57% recommend37% neutral7% critical
Why HN recommends it
Beginner-friendly introduction to learning to draw by training yourself to see rather than symbolize; exercises like copying upside-down images get non-artists drawing recognizable work. Suits programmers and designers.
Common criticism: Some say it leans on pseudo-science and gives only superficial results
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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…rest when drawing. If I draw like this, what happens in my head is pretty much the same as when I work. I'd definitely not teach kids to draw this way. If anyone is interested in alternatives, check out Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards [0][1]. First edition came out quite a long time ago, and it has some popular neuroscience sprinkled in there from that time, but if you get through that, the actual learning material…
on “How to Draw Animals (1930)” ↗"Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" by Edwards is a good introduction to drawing. I think in particular it is a good explanation of how much of drawing is learning to look at the world, and exercises to improve your skills of looking at…
on “How to Draw Animals (1930)” ↗…and recognize. Before you can evaluate a design you have to be able to see it. A lot of designers could stand to improve their "seeing" skills. If you can't find a class, get a hold of Betty Edwards's _Drawing on the right side of the brain_. A lot of it is mumbo jombo, but the exercises are excellent and work wonders. Once you've developed some observational abilities, get a copy of Andrew Loomis's _Creative illustration_, just recently…
on “Ask HN: I'm an engineer, how do I learn design?” ↗Side note: if you really want to draw that fucking owl I recommend "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" by Betty Edwards. It's a book about drawing (no surprise) that goes deeper than just the mechanics of drawing, so it's also fun to read.
on “How to Draw An Owl” ↗+1 for Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. It's superb. I'd add A Pattern Language to the list. It's actually been very appropriately valued by the programming community, but massively undervalued by its intended audience of architects and urban…
on “Surprisingly undervalued books” ↗…how to teach it even if they wanted to. Drawing is a straightforward skill that can be quickly learned, but it's highly counter-intuitive to most people. If you think you can't draw, pick up a copy of Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards or Keys to Drawing by Bert Dodson.
on “No Causal Effect of Music Practice on Ability (2014) [pdf]” ↗Drawing on the right side of the brain (Really amazing book, teaches a different way of thinking though the mode of drawing)
on “Ask HN: Books that teach you to think” ↗…teacher; (metaphorically) half your brain is literally built for doing just that. You just need to learn how to shut down the symbolic other half of the brain which messes with the results. Betty Edwards Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain method[3] is a good way to do it on your own. [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betty_Edwards
on “Basic Principles of Visual Design” ↗If you want to learn to draw and don't know where to start, get a copy of Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards. You will be stunned at how quickly you can improve. http://www.amazon.com/New-Drawing-Right-Side-Brain/dp/087477...
on “Design for Hackers: Why Monet Never Used Black, & Why You Shouldn't Either” ↗The Robin Williams book is great. I used it as a text several years ago for a class I taught. A very good overview. I was a bit surprised to see the Edwards (Drawing on the right side of the brain) book. Pleasantly surprised. One of the things I've always stressed to my students is that learning to draw is actually learning to see. People think the can see things clearly and objectively, but what…
on “Books For Learning to Design, The Hard Way” ↗…good one. A camera used for an extended period of time is a very good teacher, and not only of seeing. To go even further, learn to draw. Use your hands and other senses instead of only thinking. Read Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards and The Hand by Frank R. Wilson. I'm curious what your favorite games are, visually, @sillysaurus3? A couple of mine are Far Cry 2 and [Elite: Dangerous][1] Horizons. I also love the…
on “Recreating Our Galaxy in a Supercomputer” ↗…to segment a face into detailed descriptions of eyes, a nose, a mouth, etc., in the same way as it is necessary to be able to segment a wolf from a forest scene. But it can also be trained. See, e.g., Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards.
on “Investigators say they've finally identified the Zodiac Killer” ↗I have two suggestions that are somewhat contrary to your question. First, learn to draw. I recommend a book called Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards. That and lots of practice. Second, learn to produce and animate pixel art. You'll be surprised by the results you can get with the retro/nostalgia look. Google will find you plenty…
on “Ask HN: Graphics creation for games?” ↗Read: Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. Artists spend their whole lives on the awareness of seeing. When you fall for someone you truly see them, much like an artist does. There is more beauty in that than a roomful of 10's at a wet T-shirt…
on “Just Do It: Move to Silicon Valley” ↗"Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" by Betty Edwards This book could/will change the way we see things. Not only for drawing or art, principles from the book can be applied to any creative profession.
on “Ask HN: Books that change your way of thinking?” ↗