Seamus Liam O’Brien’s artwork is inspired by his circus performing background and experiences as a costumed character at Walt Disney World. Liam is a painter and illustrator who has exhibited his artwork throughout the United States, as well as in books and other publications. He currently lives and works in Brooklyn, NY. Please view more of his work on his website or see his daily updates on his blog. If you are a tweeter…. you can follow him @SLiamOBrien
Studies have shown that visual imagery, combined with text, increases memory retention by up to 89% (Robert Horn, Stanford University). This combination of text and imagery is an effective facilitation tool for solidifying abstract ideas and gaining insight. But what about those of you out there who want to participate but claim, “I can’t even draw a stick figure!!”
Take heart, everyone can draw!
Learning to draw is more than learning the skill itself; you have to learn how to see, learn how your brain handles visual information. And just like riding a bike… it takes practice!
Dr. Betty Edwards first published Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain in 1979, Liam has created a cartoon of one of Edward’s exercise from her book teaching drawing techniques. His illustration engages the verbal and rational left brain while actively stimulating and exercising the non-verbal and intuitive right brain that thinks in patterns and picture.
If you are seeking more information on learning to Dr. Edwards offers workshops and seminars. You can also purchase her book on Amazon which addresses new developments in brain research, material on using drawing techniques in the corporate world and in education, and detailed information on using the five basic skills of drawing for problem solving.
