Right Brain

Kevin Noonan · 09-23-2002, 07:31 PM

This topic comes up in a few posts but I haven't been able to find anything specific. I'm sure someone will point me in the right direction if there is an existing thread I

Anthony Emmolo · 09-27-2002, 03:19 AM

Hello Kev,

I had a similar question in the past. Had I ever experienced the right brain? Was it more natural for some artists to enter into it than others? I began the great book by Betty Edwards entitled "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain", and learned quite a bit from the experiennce. Firstly, I rarely spent time on that side of the brain, and that was a big hinderance to my growth as an artist. Betty has a few exercises at the beginnning of the book that forces one into the right side of the brain. As she says, and I've seen it's true for me, one cannot do these exercises and be in the left side of the brain. The exercises force one into place where reason is immpossible to use. One cannot think as one is working.

That's the best I can say about the experience. How has it effected my work? Since then, I have many, many moments in my studio when I cannot listen to anything as I paint. I've become much more sensitive to the influences around me. Even classical music becomes a disruption at different times during the creation of a painting. It's quite obvious that her exercises simply made me more aware of the possibilities when in a different state of mind. I hope my words are clear. Also, I truly recommennd the book. The first few pages will reveal the answers to your questions.

Good luck,
Anthony Emmolo

Jean Kelly · 09-27-2002, 02:50 PM

I have a love, hate relationship with my "right brain". I lived there for most of my early life. INFP, left-handed, left-footed, right brain dominant (clench fist test), double Leo, and, as for palmistry, signs of confusion and conflict.

I've spent most of my adult life learning to use the left brain. Designed boiler systems, duct work, and refrigeration; was a construction project manager for an HVAC company. But never could contain the "right brain". Once before Halloween I decorated the hall to my office as the Dead Zone, complete with a floating, disgusting, warty, face that I drew, welcoming people to my dungeon. Sometimes after hours I would rearrange co-workers offices, only picking on the most orderly. I never got caught.

Now that I'm painting most of the time, I can't balance a checkbook. I need to find the connector so both sides can work together.

Linda Ciallelo · 09-30-2002, 11:15 AM

I am not sure which side does what, but I know that there is a difference. I can use either side at will. When I do drawing/painting, I check for details and facts (proportions, alignments) with one side, and then with the strong intuition of the other side. (What "feeling" does it give?) Facial expressions give feelings. Composition is an intuitive weight thing.

If the feeling is wrong, is it because the facts aren't right, or is it because the photo wasn't giving the feelings that I was getting???? We all imbue our created faces with our own feelings, no matter how hard we try to mechanically reproduce the photo. That's why we do portraits instead of just selling the photo.

I just know that all my life I have been getting intuitive responses to things that may or may not intersect with the facts. It's a real problem when one side of your brain tells you one thing, and the other side tells you something different. I will spend long hours trying to find the error.

And yes, I can see key events in my personal history as just that, as they are happening. I get very teary at the strangest things. It's as if I were watching from a distance. I often wonder why those around me cannot see what's going on. I search their faces for a sign that they are seeing what I'm seeing, but they don't have a clue. I am completely alone.

If they saw the same thing in a movie, they would get it, but in real life it escapes them.

Jean Kelly · 10-01-2002, 12:42 AM

Hi, Linda (again).

I've had to think about this post for a while before replying. I don't even know if I can put into words what I want to say. It seems that "reading people" is a pure right brain experience. In actuality it may be learned simply by being observant. Everyone has their own body language and some of this language is universal.

Love shines out like a beacon, even in the most reserved personalities. Put a baby near my husband and he's headed for the nearest rocking chair. Fear and hatred also radiate, as well as deceit and cons.

It is truly a gift, to be blessed with the ability to simply be observant. This emotional richness needs to be expressed in these portraits. Maybe that's the difference between Art and copy machines!

I always develop an emotional attachment to my "subjects." So far, I've been lucky in that I've loved or at least liked whoever I was painting. Wonder what happens to the artwork if the client is "unlovable?"

Linda Ciallelo · 10-01-2002, 10:31 AM

Yep. That's why I hate small talk. I can get more information from a person's face than I ever can from what they're saying. Many people can't tell when someone is being sincere, so they assume that all people are so easy to fool. It seems that most of what passes for communication is pure BS. It's mostly Blah Blah Blah.

Jean Kelly · 10-02-2002, 04:02 PM

I find this subject fascinating so have started a search on what actually happens in the brain when an artist creates. Here's one from BBC:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/320840.stm

I'll post more as I find them. And Kevin, I'm sure there is a definitive answer to your question.

Lon Haverly · 10-02-2002, 10:57 PM

I use both sides, thank you very much. I am not a fan of Edward's work at all. Drawing and painting is very analytical, not just euphoric and emotional. It is scientific, mathematical, objective, as well as subjective and "sensitive." It takes conscious and sub-conscious effort, right and left-sided work. Portrait art requires a high degree of objectivity, detachment and analysis in order to be accurate and critical. If you have ever had a very attractive model posing in front of you, you know what I mean.

You don't have to know how the brain works to use it.

Linda Ciallelo · 10-02-2002, 11:34 PM

I was reading an article from Jean's link about how they have discovered that portraits always have one eye exactly dead center of the painting. I went and measured two of my portraits that I have here, and sure enough, one eye, in both of them, is dead center. Very unnerving!

It would seem more likely that the nose would be dead center.

Jean Kelly · 10-03-2002, 02:43 PM

I may have completed my search for the most unique and fun brain site. I've only just begun checking it out. Linda, I've looked at my portraits and it seems that one eye is dead center also. Haven't bothered to measure yet. Anyway check out Artbrain!

http://www.artbrain.org/index2.html

Kevin, your answer may be buried somewhere in this maze of articles. But for now, I have to go fix a refugee!