Amazon.ca:Customer reviews: Drawing on the Artist Within

Top positive review

Even better than "Drawing on the right side of the brain"

Reviewed in Canada on March 31, 2000

This book is the sequel to Betty Edwards brilliant "Drawing on the right side of the brain", but it does contain most of the material in the other title (except for the section on colour) and adds to it a lot of material on creativity and problem solving through drawing. Mrs Edwards method is incredible (I am the one who reviewed the other book as "Took me from stick men to portraits in three days"). If this book included the color section as well it would be perfect.

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CharlieGoodDog

Three Stars

Reviewed in Canada on January 24, 2015

Was a gift, I am not sure how much it helped.

One person found this helpful

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From Canada

CharlieGoodDog

Three Stars

Reviewed in Canada on January 24, 2015

Verified Purchase

Was a gift, I am not sure how much it helped.

One person found this helpful

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R. Stephen Gracey

Good, but lots of overlap. Definitely try the original...

Reviewed in Canada on November 6, 2001

I am one of the biggest fans of Betty Edwards' work, having learned to draw in five days by the "Right Brain" method. I have found the "Artist Within" book less helpful than the others, however. In it, Edwards uses many of the same drawing approaches (exercises that I love and which have made all the difference to me) as "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain," but now she applies them to creative problem solving.
I agree completely with her premises and support the approach. On the other hand, as a book, this one is less helpful than the original precisely because it reuses so much of the same material. I would have liked more theory and exploration of just how learning to draw makes a difference in other parts of one's life.
So, I'm not sure I'd recommend this book wholeheartedly, unless you just can't get enough of the "Right Brain" drawing approach. Get "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain," first. Then decide if you want more elaboration with a different spin.

6 people found this helpful

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M. C.

Even better than "Drawing on the right side of the brain"

Reviewed in Canada on March 31, 2000

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maccabee@compuserve.com

What an awakening of new consciousness!

Reviewed in Canada on June 7, 1998

I read this book as an optional "Directed Reading" for a course in Creative Problem-Solving with the University of Oklahoma. It is ironic that I had just completed all six of Frank Herbert's Dune novels just before beginning Drawing with all its exercises. My first thought was, "This is truly 'BeneGesserit' stuff!" The author guides the reader into total participation with the material and helps one to coax that much-suppressed "right brain" mode of perception and comprehension into awareness--and it is truly revelatory of the richness of one's immediate world which normally remains unexplored. Amazing it is, too, how one's skill in writing in images (i.e., drawing) improves with full interaction with the book. This is a good read, one which I suggest for those who would like to increase their awareness of the world around them and who would like to recapture some of the childlike wonder at the universe.

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Amazon Customer

A waste of time if you're an artist

Reviewed in Canada on July 28, 2001

This book is more for corporate executive types who think 'being creative' is doodling on a notepad for 5 minutes. *Those* dudes need to explore their inner artist a little more, for sure. If you're in a creative block, or wanting to learn how to draw, there are much better resources out there to help you out. You really don't need this book, as it will be a waste of time and keep you from actually making art!
Also, regarding the author: Betty Edwards seems to have over-analyzed the right-brain/left-brain system - something the left-brain would be in control of, according to her teachings. She was defeating her purpose by writing a book about the method, since people must experience, firsthand, the ecstasy of hitting 'the zone' when making something. Analyzing it and taking credit for such a natural gift from God is, to me, ridiculous.

4 people found this helpful

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John R. Torres

I loved this book, thank you Betty.

Reviewed in Canada on November 3, 1999

This book took me from an average artist to an excellent artist. I can now draw portraits like a DaVinci. I now have a portfolio that I'm proud of. It taught me how to look with an "eye" of an artist, and I would recomend it to anyone who wishes to improve their ability to draw. There are lessons that teach you how to experss your feeling in your art, no matter what the medium.

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From other countries

susannetherese

Seitenlanges Blabla mit nervigen Zitaten

Reviewed in Germany on July 18, 2013

Verified Purchase

Betty Edwards hat auf jeden Fall für eines noch keine Inspiration erhalten: Knappe und sachliche Texte zu verfassen. Mag sein, dass das mit der Provenienz der Autorin zu tun hat, wie mir scheint, schreiben und sprechen amerikanische Tutoren gerne das doppelt und dreifache an Menge wie ihre deutschsprachigen Kollegen,
Genauso nervig ist die Angewohnheit von Frau Edwards, dauernd mit irgendwelchen Zitaten zu kommen, die einen auch nicht schlauer machen. Es dauert gefühlte 100 Seiten, bis endlich der erste praktische Tipp erscheint, der zweite dauert dann wieder so lange. Dass man freier zeichnen kann, wenn man eine Vorlage einfach auf den Kopf dreht und diese dann so abmalt, könnte man in drei Sätzen mitteilen, Frau Edwards braucht dazu 20 Seiten.
Kreative Impulse und Gedanken hat hier nur der Verlag gezeigt, der einen Titel auf den Markt geworfen hat, der gut klingt, sonst aber enttäuscht.
Wer auf wirklich kreative Inputs hofft, sollte die Finger davon lassen, zumal nicht mal schöne und damit inspirierende Zeichnungen zu sehen sind. Liebloses Layout, aufgeblasener Inhalt.

4 people found this helpful

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VIJAYAGEETHA

Must have and practice

Reviewed in India on September 9, 2019

Verified Purchase

Amazing book

Cliente Amazon

ESTUPENDO

Reviewed in Spain on March 22, 2016

Verified Purchase

És perfecto, Betty Edwards explica muy bien las herramientas para poder trabajar el dibujo y trabajar la creatividad. Muy enriquecedor.

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Amit

Five Stars

Reviewed in India on July 9, 2015

Verified Purchase

Believe me you will surprise your self when you start drawing

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