Non-dom handwork

7/19/2010 07:39:00 PM Posted In , Edit This 16 Comments »
So I've been messing around with using my right hand (my non-dominant hand),  to do crossword puzzles for awhile now.  Some days are better than others in terms of the legibility of my printing, but I've been doing it long enough now that every once in awhile, I actually reach for a pen with my right hand instead of my left when I'm doing something other than a puzzle.  So today, after having been gone all day and not having much time for drawing, I decided to try drawing with my right hand.  I only had time for 2 drawings (about 25 minutes in all, including finding faces in a magazine to copy).  Also, I used my smaller sketch book (5.5" x 8.5") rather than one of my larger ones.   I used Micron pens, my favorite ink tools.   I've noticed that when I'm trying something I think will be hard, I tend to gravitate towards working small.  I have no idea why, but I sense it's an odd form of protectionism, if that makes any sense at all...... don't worry if it doesn't.

Anyhow, here they are.  The first on was really a bust - distorted, out of proportion, crooked ..... name a drawing flaw and you'll find it there.  Even the printing is really terrible.  The second one is much better, I think.  Not good mind you, but better.  And, even the printing is better.  I think I'll mess around with this a bit more.  It was kind of fun, and since it was my non-dom hand, I didn't feel pressured to do something really good.  It would just be what it would be!

16 comments:

Alex said...

first of all, I like the shorten title...Non-Dom-handwork...sounds like a dish in a Thai restaurant or something...hahahaha
But my oh my Nancy, you must be ambidextrous if you could do such amazing portrait sketch with your non dominant hand... =) It's outstanding!

Cathy Holtom said...

Something I haven't tried, but I'm sure mine wouldn't be anywhere near as good as what you managed to do!

Angie Willis said...

Wow! Wish I could draw that well with my dominant hand, let alone my non-dom :-)
PC

Anonymous said...

I have been reading posts about drawing with the non-dominant hand and had decided that was much too hard for me! Your idea about using your n-d-h for crosswords is a stroke of genius and I now indend to do something similar, using my n-d-h for small tasks. I may then venture into attempting a sketch ... Your drawings are most impressive!

Sarah said...

These both have great character Nancy - I think you did extremely well!

Vicki Holdwick said...

Gosh, Nancy,

Even your "bad" one is pretty good.

xoxo

Autumn Leaves said...

A perfect exercise! I love how you think too and I think both little drawings are great (and better than I can do with my dominant hand).

Police officers have to qualify with their firearms; part of the qualification process includes shooting with their non-dominant hand. Theory is that their dominant hand may be injured in the line of duty and they may need to use the opposite hand to get the upper hand (so to speak) on the bad guys.

Unknown said...

The first one is pretty good, but wow!, after you warmed up--the second one is great!

donna said...

Wow, Nancy, these are good. I can't even switch the laundry from the washer to the dryer with my left hand!

donna said...

Wow, Nancy, these are good. I can't even switch the laundry from the washer to the dryer with my left hand!

http://www.paperandthreads.com said...

Excellent - do you think it helps drawing with your dominant hand? I really need to try it.

Mary said...

These are great, Nancy. I can't draw people at all, let alone with my non-dom hand.

She Who Doodles said...

i'm amazed how well you did with your non dom hand. it's a healthy exercise for the mind.

Hybrid J said...

Really amazed of how well you drew with your non-dom hand. Wonderful! ;)

Timaree said...

Your first is pretty good but compared to the second one it was a warm-up! The second one is terrific even for your left hand (well, if it were my hand doing the drawing anyhow) Wow.

Mari Brown and Colourblob said...

These are fatastic Non Dom's Nancy, I like the girl on top and her hair. You did a great job on these, now if you want to push the non don issue a bit higher, try to draw with your foot (we had to try that once in a while in art college)... Thats been a few years ago, hmmmm, I think you just inspired me nancy, I have to try this (by hand : )