Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain
Betty Edwards
11 people recommended it in 5 threads, 2011–2025.
What people on Hacker News said
For me it has to be Drawing On the Right Side of the Brain. It made me realize that I am more creatively skilled than I thought I was — a realization which has enhanced my life greatly.
I think anyone could learn to draw from life by reading and do the exercises from this book. The trick is to stop trying to draw symbols ( left brain ) and draw what you actually see ( right brain )
The book is a marvel. I read the first edition when I was in college and it taught me more than two semesters of basic drawing taught by an indifferent "modern" artist.
Other people, (especially people who get into art with no prior experience) swear by Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.
Yeah, what you said. This book is great - I think I went through it about 3 times in High School.
Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain is a very well written book which highlights perceptual issues of representing space.
But I think those books (and the two others) should come way after ! Older book, like "The Practice and Science of Drawing" can be educating to read, but clearly not as first or second books, more to learn how drawing had been teached, and find things that show you more rigor (in an academic way).
Where it comes up
- Books For Learning to Design, The Hard Way 2011 · 5 recommendations
- The Best Textbooks on Every Subject 2012 · 3 recommendations
- Books I Loved Reading in 2024 2025 · 1 recommendation
- Klutz Press: books built for learning stuff 2020 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What books changed the way you think about almost everything? 2019 · 1 recommendation