Learning to draw: Unlocking creativity with Betty Edwards’ right-brain techniques

I’m learning how to draw, and let me tell you—it’s nothing like I expected. Drawing doesn’t require years of art classes or fancy tools. According to Betty Edwards in Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, we already know how to draw. The key is getting our left brains out of the way so our right brains—the creative, perceptive parts of us—can take over.

Betty explains this beautifully:

“What prevents a person from seeing things clearly enough to draw them? A part of the answer is that, from childhood onward, we have learned to see things in terms of words: we name things, and we know facts about them. The dominant left hemisphere doesn’t want too much information about things it perceives—just enough to recognize and categorize… But drawing requires that you look at something for a long time, perceiving lots of details, registering as much information as possible—ideally, everything.”

This hit me hard. How often do we rush through life, letting our left brains skim over the details? It’s just a chair, nothing special. Move along. But when you slow down, really see something, and let your right brain take the lead, you start to notice the richness and intricacy of what’s in front of you.

My Journey So Far

After reading the first five chapters of Betty’s book, I’ve started practicing the techniques she suggests—and wow, I’m hooked. My early drawings aren’t perfect, but they feel alive. It’s like discovering a secret ability that was there all along, hidden under layers of assumptions and left-brain interference.

The process of learning to draw has also taught me so much about perception. Drawing forces you to pause and take in the world without rushing to label it or fit it into a category. It’s a meditative, almost transformative act—something that connects deeply with my work helping others tap into their creative gifts.

Why This Matters

Learning to draw isn’t just about making pictures—it’s about rewiring how we see and experience the world. As Betty Edwards suggests, it’s not the skill we lack; it’s the way we look. When we shift out of the left brain’s analytical mode and into the right brain’s intuitive, detail-oriented space, we open ourselves up to new ways of thinking, seeing, and creating.

This approach aligns perfectly with the work I do in helping people access their right-brain intelligence to solve problems, spark creativity, and connect with deeper knowing. Whether you’re learning to draw, write, or approach life with fresh eyes, this shift is transformative.

Why You Should Try It

If you’ve ever thought, I can’t draw, I challenge you to pick up a pencil and give Betty Edwards’ techniques a try. You might just surprise yourself. Drawing isn’t about being perfect—it’s about learning to see, to pause, and to be present.

Here’s a glimpse at my first drawings. They’re simple, but they represent so much more than just lines on paper. They’re a step toward a more awakened way of seeing.

These are the drawings I’ve done so far, after reading the first five chapters of Betty’s book. I’m hooked.