Vision and Perception

perception:                                                                                    vision:

 

This is a classic exercise I learned in Jr. High, from Betty Edwards' book, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.  If you want to see something more clearly, and thus be able to draw it more accurately, draw from a photograph, and turn the photo upside down.  This tricks your brain into seeing the shape and placement of parts, rather than running everything through the "I know this object" filter, as in, "Now I'm drawing a chair, which has four legs a seat and a back".

today's model...great legs, dontcha think?

I had today's students try it, and though they are pretty sure the daily drawing lesson is designed to torture them, they both saw the benefit of using this trick.  I thought it very interesting that the obvious difference in both girls flipped drawings was the length of the chair legs.  I know we learn to perceive things as we believe them to be at a very young age, but I wonder if this is an indication that we all learn the same mis-perceptions.  Two subjects does not a scientific study make, of course.

In all examples, the drawing on the left was drawn conventionally, first, then the one on the right was drawn upside down, looking at the photo flipped upside down.  I've rotated the girls' second drawings to more easily compare them. 

Kinda makes you want to start turning all kinds of things in life upside down to get a clearer perspective on them, huh? 

Would those of you reading this do me the kindness of posting a comment, just to say you were here, or drop me an email, at dawnmariedelara@gmail.com?  I've recently learned to check my stats, and it's fascinating to see how many people are reading this, which I wouldn't know from the whopping four followers listed (not that you darlings are chopped liver, by any means).  I want to know more than the stats tell me, though.  I want to know you!  I would love to know how you found this blog, whether you will tell others, etcetera.  I know there are some folks I've never met who have linked to me on their own sites, but I only find out about this if I really research, so let me know.  I would love to thank you, and return the favor!  Also, if you haven't checked out my portfolio website, please do at theartofthehome.com.

Have a great week!  I'll be back on Wednesday with something to make or cook, and Friday with a recap of the week's projects and progress.  Stay warm, if you are in a wintry climate like mine, and keep your eyes and mind wide open!