Self-Taught and Outsider Art: The Anthony Petullo Collection

Rating:
Summary: Top notch
Review: I can understand why some previous reviewers who already have developed skills in drawing would see this book as overrated but I think that it is heavily aimed at those who believe that they cant draw and who are radically unsure of how to begin. My own experience was that this book debunked some of my core beliefs about drawing: I cant draw because I dont have the manual skill; people who can draw are dismissive of those who are not as able as them; there is no use in trying if I cant become a brilliant artist; etc, etc.
This book made me realise for the first time, despite attending art classes for many years at school, that drawing well is not about the dexterity of your hand but about how you see things, the approach you take to looking at an object and how you translate that to the page. Not having a scientific background, I am not able to judge the accuracy of Edwardss use of right/left brain theory but in some ways the truth of it is irrelevant. What is important is that you recieve the confidence to give it a go and to persist, and not be intimidated by those more advanced than you. Subjectively, I have found that time spent drawing is a very different experience to my usual language based pursuits, and I do feel that Im stretching hitherto unused faculties, whatever side of the brain they are on.