This document discusses Betty Edwards' theory of drawing presented in her book "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain". The theory distinguishes between L-mode thinking, which is verbal and analytical, and R-mode thinking, which is visual and perceptual. Drawing requires mainly R-mode thinking. The document outlines strategies for learning to draw, including exercises to train R-mode perception of edges, spaces, relationships, lights and shadows. It emphasizes practicing these perceptual skills as steps to developing the overall skill of drawing what you see.

1. Strategies
how to learn to Draw
The Method of Betty Edwards
“Drawing on the right side of the brain”

2. Betty Edwards theory
O Betty Edwards has used the terms L-
Mode and R-Mode to designate two
ways of knowing and seeing
O the verbal, analytic mode and the
visual, perceptual mode - no matter
where they are located in the individual
brain.
O You are probably aware of these
different characteristics.

3. Theory
L-mode/ R-mode
O L-mode is a step-by-
step style of
thinking, using
words, numbers and
other symbols.
O L-mode strings
things out in
sequences, like
words in a
sentence.
O R-mode on the
other hand, uses
visual information
and
processes, not
step-by-step, but
all at once, like
recognizing the
face of a friend.

4. Known Portraits
Fig. 1 — Self Portrait of Picasso
Fig. 2 – Portrait of Marylin
Monroe, by Andy Warhol

5. Visual shapes – with the
outline
Fig. 3 — Shapes of the Portrait
Portrait of Picasso
Fig. 4 – Shapes of the
of Marylin Monroe

6. L-mode/ R-mode
O Most activities require both
modes, each contributing its special
functions, but a few activities require
mainly one mode, without interference
from the other.
O Drawing is one of these activities.

7. Fig. 5 — Vase/ Face
exercise

8. Strategies of training to draw
Fig. 6 — Method to draw by square the line of the shape of the side
face

9. 3 Steps of the exercise
Fig. 7 – Process to draw a portrait of side face –
Lines, Shape, Shadows.

10. One example to drawing up side down with lines
Fig. 8 — Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), portrait of Igor Stravinsky.
Paris, 24 de may de 1920

11. The exercise with the figures up side
down
Fig. 9 — Portrait of Matisse
the draw of
up side down
the portrait
Fig. 10 – Result of

12. Perception of the Form on a Space - the
Positive aspects of the negative space:
when the spaces assume forms

13. Use one view finder to form
the shape:
Use the line of sight in the center to aim the
object to draw on the paper

14. The Global Skill of Drawing
O What does a global skill mean?
O Other global skills are
reading, driving, learning to ride a bicycle
etc.
O Can you remember how difficult it was
learning these skills?

15. Learning to draw
O Learning to draw follows the same
process.
O Just as once you had to learn the
alphabet and how a sentence was
constructed before you could learn to
read… with drawing, if you learn the
component perceptual skills of drawing
you will be able to draw a perceived
object. something you can see 'out there'.

16. Perceptual Skills of Drawing
O What are the Perceptual Skills of Drawing?
O The perception of edges
O The perception of spaces
O The perception
of relationships/proporcional
O The perception of lights and shadows
O The perception of the whole
O The last one is a bonus as it just evolves out
of learning the first four skills.

17. Fig. 11 — Sketch
books

18. Practice drawing parts of your body – hand,
feet's, or any object you like.
Fig. 12 — Exercise – draw of hands – student, J.P. 2012

19. “Never found anyone completely
unable to learn how to draw”
John Ruskin, XIX century

21. Challenge:
Vase/face

22. Challenge:
Portrait
Faced down