Goodreads Artists discussion

This book was my bible for about five years. I used it in a workshop with a bunch of other people, and at times we became so addicted to painting that the power would go out, and we would light candles and keep painting.

It took some time to reprogram my brain after reading
Which I found to be distinctly left brain, and basically blocked me for quite a long time.

I'd also recommend reading But it's best to read it after the first one, because this one requires a sort of hardcore self confrontation.

Oooh, I read Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, but never heard of the second one. *checks it out now*

I realised the way I designed this thread was a bit confusing. The first book I wanted to introduce was actually this one.


and the sequel to it is this one,

Drawing on the Right side of the brain is about switching your mind off, and seeing with your eyes, instead of your brain.

They have a lot of exercises like drawing crumpled up pieces of paper, and drawing things upside down, and stuff like that so that you forget about what you think you know about the thing you are drawing, and just draw it as an abstract visual impression.

This is a very helpful technique to develop skill, but I found it to be a very boring way to draw.

Michele Cassou's books are more about using what you think you know about an object, to guide you. What attracts you to a particular object, is treated as a kind of mystical current, you have to trust it, and examine what draws you to the object, and experience what it feels like, then draw or paint it with utter abandon.

This is a good one for the advanced artist who wants to add some punch to a drawing, painting or any kind of artwork by trying out new techniques. Using ordinary household items like sand, starch, saran wrap and whatnot, you can add interesting backgrounds to your artwork. And she discusses all the mediums and how to use them for different effects--like how to make your paint crackle and look old, or how to extend the drying time of various paints, etc. Very useful book!

I'll add these to the bookshelf now. :)