“It is in this sense, I believe, that the field of education has much to learn from the arts about the practice of education.” Elliot Eisner (from infed.org)
Artists regularly utilizing drawing in their work know it sharpens visual skills and heightens awareness of the focused subject. Science is coming around to that awareness, as well, thanks to innovative science instructors like North Carolina State University’s Jennifer Landon. Art Plantae Today has an excellent interview with Landon. Left- brain scientists are embracing right -brain art.
Landon is an instructor of biology and requires her students to participate in regular drawing activities. She set out to prove that participation in drawing would enhance student knowledge of biology. Art Plantae will be following with the results.
Having taught botanical drawing for several years, I can see that Landon is likely right. Once I began to draw more flora and fauna, I developed enhanced awareness of growth, color, shape and more. My guess is that many other visual artists and photographers would say the same.
The evidence is increasingly proving: right -brain or left -brain, we really need both.