Following my resolutions, I decide to take a "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" course.

My happiness resolutions include “Follow my curiosities,” “Push myself,” “Show up,” “Spend money to further my goals,” “Enjoy the fun of failure,” and “Take time for mini-adventures.”

It’s not always easy to see how to transform these resolutions from abstract ideas, typed in my notes, into actions in my real life.

This week, however, I am. I’m taking an intensive, 9:30-5:30, five-day class, on Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.

Yesterday, today, and for three more days, I head down to Soho each morning instead of sitting down in front of my computer.

I was partly inspired by Daniel Pink’s account of taking the class in his terrific book, A Whole New Mind. He includes pictures of the self-portrait he drew before receiving any instruction, and the self-portrait he drew at the end of five days. The leap in execution was astonishing.

I have no art training and no skills. Nevertheless, I’ve always had an interest in art that I’ve somehow never found a way to tap. The promise of learning how to draw – and really, how to be able to see better – was enormously attractive.

When I read things that interest me, I always feel a compulsion to…process them. I have an urge to take notes, to clip articles, to manipulate information and ideas. I feel the same way when I see something beautiful or interesting, but I don’t have any tools with which to tackle that kind of material. I’d love to be able to make a sketch or some kind of record.

Now, you might say, “Just have fun with it! Do your best, it doesn’t have to be good!” But the fact is, it’s not much fun to make a very bad sketch. It’s frustrating, and not enjoyable to look back at later.

Happiness research shows the people get a big boost from learning new skills, and also from novel experiences; as the research would predict, the drawing class (so far, at least) has been tremendously fun and valuable.

Unfortunately, when you’re feeling blue, it’s easy to feel too overwhelmed and dispirited to make the effort to try something new. It seems difficult, exhausting – even making the arrangements seem too hard. So it's hard to take a step that, if you could manage it, would give you a boost.

And this class is hard. During the class, I felt intimidated, defensive, hostile, and frustrated. I’ve been exhausted when I come home, and my back hurts.

Yet it’s also tremendously gratifying to learn something new – that’s the “atmosphere of growth” so important to happiness. It’s fun to have a break from my usual routine, and even to be in a different part of the city at a different time of day. It’s nice to meet some new people.

Plus – my goodness – I drew my hand! I drew a chair that actually looked like a chair! I still can’t quite believe it.

*
Pollyanna Week continues. It's such a useful exercise. I'm absolutely astonished by a) how hard it is to remember to refrain from criticism, nagging, complaints, etc., and b) the huge percentage of my conversation which consists of criticism, nagging, complaints, etc. I haven't been able to wear my orange reminder bracelet, because of the drawing class (it gets in my way), but have been trying to stick to the goals. It's more challenging than it sounds.

Comments

[Bill]

I've never taken one of her workshops, but the book had a phenomenal impact on my artistic abilities. Do the exercises (won't be hard if you're actually in the class :-)) and you'll make giant strides in almost no time: sounds like you already have.

I blogged about what an impact the book had on me back in October: I envy you getting to take the actual class.

Good luck, you're going to be glad you did it!

[Lara]

Oh I love this book! I started it a few weeks ago and am yet to complete the exercises, but already I've learn so much. The course is supposed to be awesome also. The best thing about it is she takes all the "scariness" out of learning to draw. The exercises are easy (no matter how well you can draw) and after each one you look at what you've done and feel so satisfied - you're going to love it! Especially how much it teaches you about how your brain works. Fun fun.

[RAE]

I have doodled and sketched (poorly) all my life, but a couple years ago I decided to get serious about improving my drawing abilities. I have certainly experienced the exhaustion, intimidation, defensiveness and hostility as you describe. But the feeling of accomplishment after drawing something – and having the drawing actually look like the subject! – is amazing, and makes it all worthwhile.

May I suggest you check out Keys to Drawing by Bert Dobson after finishing Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain? Keys to Drawing follows a similar approach to teach you how to draw what you SEE.

[Laura]

I love Daniel Pink's book! I often find that the "right book" finds me at the "right time." I read Pink's book at a time when I was in need of some meaning and inspiration. I have since made family and friends read it too.
I have not yet started my own laughing club at work... I have brought up the topic with colleages - which does start us laughing, which always feels good.

[Flavia]

Don't forget to show us some of your work afterwards! :)

[Ruby]

Good luck, and show us your drawings :)
I would love to be able to draw. Currently, I draw four-petaled flowers and label them so that no-one is confused.

[Hanna]

Hi Gretchen,
I've been reading your blog for a month and reading back articles too. I just adore your blog subject and I read everything with a great interest right now. Thank you for doing this, I hope to purchase your book about happiness soon! I'm also extremly interested in "creativity" and what it does inside of me and others. To me it is very linked to happiness and fullfillment, it is my passion. I wonder if you have read anything about creativity and happiness, or thought about it at all? I've written abut this myself, and try to find books about it. Thanks for your daily writing, I hope you will keep doing this!

/Hanna

[Hanna]

Oh, and the imperfect of your drawing or journal pages is a piece of you too, I think happiness will follow when you accept that:

http://www.diyplanner.com/node/2921

just read this article - loooove it too. :-)

[Senia Positive Psychology Coaching]

Plus, Gretchen, Ellen Langer of Harvard says that doing something creative like taking an art class allows you to grow not only creativity, but she says more importantly MINDFULNESS, and mindfulness is the cornerstone of true satisfaction and happiness, in her research over many studies.
Best,
Senia

[Heather]

The class sounds wonderful! What a terrific idea. I enjoy your blog so much.

[Laura C.]

Please post the hand! and the chair!

[David]

New-ish reader, really enjoy the blog. This post in particular makes a point I've kind of been realizing from my own experience lately: being happy (or just having fun) can be hard work!

[MJ]

Funny, I've had this book for a few years but have never found the time to open it. A widely published poet recommended it when I serendipitously ended up taking a nature hike with her once - she doesn't draw well or make art but something in the exercises refreshes her and frees her up to do her own work better. Now I'll finally crack the cover!!

[Wesley]

I took a "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" course in college and went from someone who couldn't draw (and hated it) to someone who still couldn't draw but loved it. Taught me to look at things differently as well--literally of course!

[Patti]

Bravo for taking on a new and creative skill. The book looks very interesting. Hanna is right about accepting your work when it doesn't turn out right. Often, it takes several drafts (as with writing) for something to take shape. They don't call it a creative 'process' for nothing. Happy drawing!

[Gretchen Rubin]

I will post all drawings on Monday. For now, they stay in the classroom. I can't wait! You won't believe it! A four-petal flower is about my skill level.

Great books on creativity -- wow, what a fun thing to think about. I'm going to poke around to find all my favorites, and I'll make that my recommended reading list for April 30 (I post a list of reading suggestions on the last day of every month--except when I forget.)

[just me.]

I think its a great start and confidence booster for anyone - the amazing thing about it is you learn its not in your hand - but in your eye - its not learning how to draw its learning how to see. I would hate to post one of those 'this changed my life ' type screeds- but this book really did - I get SO MUCH MORE out of traveling, life - when you develop an eye for seeing.

That said, if you really get serious about drawing - eventually you'll grow out of these methods ( i study now at the Art Student's league with a world -reknown realist painter)

for more 'serious' academic drawing i would recommend "the natural way to draw " - where edwards got many of her ideas- and Anthony Ryders book on drawing (forgot the title) and of course the classic Vanderpool (cheap dover edition)

But I have to hand it to edwards- she instilled so much joy and confidence in people who never thought they could do it - i always say - if you can sign your name you're using your muscles in a more complex way than michelangelo used to paint the sistine chapel....

Also, I would advise carrying a small sketchbook like a moleskine - and a sharp pencil and eraser - its amazing how you can hone your skill in time normally spent fretting that the subway hasn't come, or reading some trashy headline in a coffe shop.

Personally I think everyone should not be able to graduate from high school unless they can make a good portrait drawing and write a well reasoned letter.

feel free to email me if you have any more questions and such and good luck!

[just me.]

..oh just one more thing about that scary, hostile feeling -if you feel it in a 'small' thing like drawing - a skill generally isolated from your 'normal' life-and realize all it is is you growing - its a great laboratory to learn to recongize that feeling when it comes in 'real life' and...what's often on the other side of it!