Betty Edwards - Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain

Self-portrait by Sophie Bomeisler, July 29, 2011, when she was 11.

Self-portrait by Francesca Bomeisler, July 29, 2010, when she was 8.

I shall be forever grateful to Dr. Roger W. Sperry (19131994), neuropsychologist, neurobiologist, and Nobel laureate, for his generosity and kindness in discussing the original text with me. At a time in 1978 when I was most discouraged and doubtful about the manuscript I was writing, I summoned the courage to send it to him. Not long after that, I was filled with gratitude to receive his kind response in a letter that began, I have just read your splendid manuscript. He suggested that we meet to review and clarify some errors in my laypersons effort to write about his research. That invitation began a series of once-a-week meetings in his office at the California Institute of Technology, resulting in revision after revision of Chapter Three of the manuscript, the chapter in which I attempted to describe the split-brain studies.

Most gratifyingly, when Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain was finally published in 1979, Dr. Sperry wrote a statement for the back cover:

her application of the brain research findings to drawing conforms well with the available evidence and in many places reinforces and advances the right hemisphere story with new observations.

I asked him why he had used the to begin his statement. He replied, with his usual sly humor, that if any of his colleagues objected to his approval of this nonscientific book, he could always say that something was left out. At that time, objections to Dr. Sperrys findings were frequent, especially regarding his demonstrations that the right-brain hemisphere was capable of fully human, high-level cognition. These objections diminished over the years, as corroboration of his insights became undeniable. The Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1981 ensured Dr. Sperrys eminent position in the history of science.

Many other people have contributed greatly to my book. In this brief acknowledgment, I wish to thank at least a few.

My publisher, Jeremy Tarcher, for his enthusiastic support over more than thirty years.

My representative, Robert B. Barnett of the law firm Williams & Connolly, Washington, DC, for always being a great advocate and friend.

Joel Fotinos, Vice-President and Publisher of Tarcher/Penguin, for setting this project in motion and for his longtime friendship.

Sara Carder, my Tarcher/Penguin Executive Editor, for her enthusiastic support, help, and encouragement.

Dr. J. William Bergquist, for his generous assistance with the first edition of the book and with my doctoral research that preceded it.

Joe Molloy, my longtime friend, who has designed all of my books for publication. Somehow, he makes superb design appear to be effortless, and it isnt.

Anne Bomeisler Farrell, my daughter, who as editor has brought her great writing skills to help me with this project. Throughout, she has been my anchor and support.

Brian Bomeisler, my son, for his long years of work helping me to revise, refine, and clarify these lessons in drawing. His skills as an artist and as our lead workshop teacher have enabled countless students to succeed at drawing.

Sandra Manning, who so ably manages the Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain office and workshops. Her wonderful contribution was in researching and obtaining international permissions to reproduce the many new illustrations found in this edition.

My son-in-law, John Farrell, and my granddaughters Sophie Bomeisler and Francesca Bomeisler, who have been my enthusiastic cheerleaders.

My thanks also go to the many art teachers and artists across the country and in many other parts of the world who have used the ideas in my book to help bring drawing skills to their students.

And last, I wish to express my gratitude to all of the students whom I have been privileged to know over the decades. It was they who enabled me to form the ideas for the original book and who have since guided me in refining the teaching sequences. Most of all, it has been the students who have made my work so personally rewarding. Thank you!