The right brain-left brain theory grew out of the work of Roger W. Sperry who discovered if you cut the structure that connects the two sides of the brain one could reduce or eliminate seizures.
What does it mean to use the different sides of your brain? In this article, you will learn and feel the difference between the two!
Left Brained
Right Brained
The picture to the left is an exercise developed by Betty Edwards and is a great example of the difference between using your left and right brain.
When viewing the vase, instead of looking at it as the object itself try to view the lines and shapes that make up the vase.
In my mind, I switch from vases to people standing facing each other. Amazing!
How does this apply to drawing?
Left Brained
People who use the left side of the brain tend to be critical thinkers, excel at numbers and language. They are typically logical, analytic, and objective.
Right Brained
People who use the right side of the brain tend to be more expressive and creative. They also tend to be intuitive, thoughtful, and subjective.
Developed in the late 60's and early 70's, Betty Edwards came up with the theory that we need to use the right side of the brain to learn how to draw.
It is an interesting concept. It states when learning how to draw most people view objects as symbols. Betty teaches us to view objects as shapes and lines. She does this through positive and negative space.
Developed in the late 60's and early 70's, Betty Edwards came up with the theory that we need to use the right side of the brain to learn how to draw.
It is an interesting concept. It states when learning how to draw most people view objects as symbols. Betty teaches us to view objects as shapes and lines. She does this through positive and negative space.
The picture to the left is an exercise developed by Betty Edwards and is a great example of the difference between using your left and right brain.When viewing the vase, instead of looking at it as the object itself try to view the lines and shapes that make up the vase.
The black portion of the picture is the vase.
However, if you reverse the colors, the vase now becomes two faces!
Drawing on the right side of the brain teaches us to look at both the positive space and negative space.
In the examples above, the white space is the positive and the black space is the negative. By reversing the two you truly receive an entirely different view!
Below is another example of positive and negative space. Use your mind to switch your focus from the black space to the white space.
What do you see when you focus on the black space?
What do you see when you focus on the white space?
In my mind, I switch from vases to people standing facing each other. Amazing!
How does this apply to drawing?
What Betty Edwards shows us is that sometimes we can’t draw because we are too busy thinking with our left brain and not with our right. Once you are able to recognize how to switch your brain back and forth between the two sides you will learn how to see.
According to Betty, “learning to draw means learning to see”
As a former art teacher, I used to teach this principle to my students. I would teach contour drawing. This exercise is an easy and informative way to get students started on learning how to “see”. I would ask them to bring to school an object of their choice that had significant meaning to them. They would be really interested in what they are drawing which allowed me to get them to focus on using the right side of the brain.
All in all, knowing how to use both sides of the brain is a very important task to learn. One can achieve great accomplishments if they can consciously switch back and forth. You will use your left side when you are critical thinking or working with language and numbers. You will use your right side while drawing or being creative.
Are you a lefty or a righty the majority of the time? Leave us your thoughts below.
Are you a lefty or a righty the majority of the time? Leave us your thoughts below.
Sources:
http://www.theflorenceartstudio.com/BLOG/vases-and-faces http://psychology.about.com/od/cognitivepsychology/a/left-brain-right-brain.htm http://imadocent.blogspot.com/2012/10/positivenegative-space.html
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