The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain Workbook

The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain Workbook is a companion guide to Betty Edwards' original bestselling art instruction book. This workbook provides hands-on exercises and practical techniques for developing drawing skills by accessing the right hemisphere of the brain. The text breaks down the fundamentals of drawing through a series of structured lessons and assignments. Students learn to see and render edges, spaces, relationships, lights and shadows, and the gestalt of objects through specific exercises with clear instructions and examples. The workbook includes blank pages for practice, progress portfolio sections, and reference materials for ongoing skill development. Edwards incorporates research on brain function and learning theory to support her teaching methodology. This systematic approach presents drawing as a learnable skill rather than an innate talent, suggesting that artistic ability emerges through the practice of specific perceptual techniques. The workbook demonstrates how shifting from verbal/analytical thinking to visual/perceptual processing can transform anyone's drawing capabilities.

Readers report significant improvement in their drawing abilities after completing the exercises, with many sharing before/after drawings showing measurable progress. Students note the book helped them understand how to see objects differently and translate them to paper. What readers liked: - Step-by-step exercises build skills gradually - Scientific explanation of left/right brain function - Clear instructions with example drawings - Focus on observation rather than technical skills - Effective for complete beginners Common criticisms: - Some exercises feel repetitive - Time-intensive (20+ hours recommended) - Paper quality in workbook could be better - More expensive than regular drawing books - Limited focus on creative/imaginative drawing Ratings: Amazon: 4.7/5 (1,200+ reviews) Goodreads: 4.4/5 (2,800+ ratings) One reviewer noted: "This isn't about learning to draw - it's about learning to see." Another stated: "The exercises work, but you must commit several hours to each one for results."

Keys to Drawing by Bert Dodson This guide presents specific techniques for observing and translating visual information onto paper through exercises that build foundational drawing skills.

Drawing on the Artist Within by Betty Edwards The companion book to Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain explores methods to tap into creative problem-solving through drawing exercises and visual thinking strategies.

The Natural Way to Draw by Kimon Nicolaides This systematic program structures drawing instruction through exercises that emphasize gesture, contour, and weight to develop both technical skills and deeper observation.

Picture This: How Pictures Work by Molly Bang Through analysis of visual composition principles, this book demonstrates how basic shapes and spatial relationships create emotional impact in art and illustration.

Drawing Projects: An Exploration of the Language of Drawing by Mick Maslen and Jack Southern This collection of drawing exercises focuses on developing perception and mark-making through experimental approaches and varied drawing techniques.

🎨 Betty Edwards developed her groundbreaking approach after observing how her art students' drawings dramatically improved when they worked from upside-down images, which forced them to use their right brain's visual processing. 🧠 The book's techniques are based on Nobel Prize winner Roger Sperry's research on split-brain theory, which showed that the brain's hemispheres process information differently. ✏️ Edwards' original 1979 book has been translated into more than 17 languages and has sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide, becoming one of the most successful art instruction books ever published. 🖼️ The U.S. Army, NASA, and major corporations like IBM and AT&T have used Edwards' drawing methods in their training programs to enhance creative problem-solving skills. 📚 Despite focusing on drawing skills, the book's methods have been adapted for various fields, including education and business, to help people access their right-brain thinking for enhanced creativity and innovation.