Sunday, October 3, 2010

Do You See What I See?

Lately I've been reading and pondering Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards. It's fascinating how our left brain often takes control when we are doing a creative task. This can interfere with our ability to really see things as they are because of our preconceived notions about what it is we are looking at. There are ways to 'trick' our left brain, so the creative right brain can take over during these types of tasks. One of them is to observe an object upside down. This distraction allows the right brain to perceive things as they really are, rather than how we think they are...thus enabling us to draw more accurately what is in front of us. This idea intrigues me, so I decided to conduct a little experiment of my own. I did this entire painting upside down (the panel and reference photo were inverted, not me!) I think it actually was easier that way! I'll try more...and let you know.


Oil on panel, 6" x 6
SOLD

2 comments:

Angeli Perrow said...

That's amazing, Brenda! I've drawn upside down but never painted. It would be interesting to try. I love the varied angle of the chickens and the gorgeous contrast of their colors against the bright blue background. Well done!

Virginia Floyd said...

Very well done! I was amazed when I read how you painted it!