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Susan Greenstein – Drawing with Your Non-Dominant Hand Challenge (Online)
Date recorded: Friday, April 11, 2025
Several months ago, I broke the wrist of my dominant hand. Unable to use it for a while, I had to find a way to continue drawing and painting. Many people suggested working with my non-dominant hand, often telling me it’s good for the brain to develop skills with the other hand. So, I decided to give it a try.
At first, it felt silly, and my results were as imprecise as a blind contour drawing. But what a valuable lesson lay ahead! My lines had a slight wiggle to them, and rather than resist it, I chose to embrace it—this was what this hand could do, and I was going to enjoy the process of discovering its potential.
To my surprise, I learned a great deal. I realized that all my knowledge of composition, contrast, and line exploration resided in my eyes and brain. While my hand was an essential tool in my artistic process, that knowledge was still accessible, just in a different way. Because using my other hand was more challenging, I had to work harder and observe more carefully. This gave my lines a searching, fresh quality.
Come join me in exploring this exciting challenge!
Materials: Your favorite pen. I will be using a micron 08 pen. Any drawing or sketch paper.
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Several months ago, I broke the wrist of my dominant hand. Unable to use it for a while, I had to find a way to continue drawing and painting. Many people suggested working with my non-dominant hand, often telling me it’s good for the brain to develop skills with the other hand. So, I decided to give it a try.
At first, it felt silly, and my results were as imprecise as a blind contour drawing. But what a valuable lesson lay ahead! My lines had a slight wiggle to them, and rather than resist it, I chose to embrace it—this was what this hand could do, and I was going to enjoy the process of discovering its potential.
To my surprise, I learned a great deal. I realized that all my knowledge of composition, contrast, and line exploration resided in my eyes and brain. While my hand was an essential tool in my artistic process, that knowledge was still accessible, just in a different way. Because using my other hand was more challenging, I had to work harder and observe more carefully. This gave my lines a searching, fresh quality.
Come join me in exploring this exciting challenge!
Susan Greenstein lives and works in Brooklyn, NY. She received her BFA at Pratt Institute where she was exposed to many ways of working and looking at the world. A deep interest in pattern has been a constant inspiration for Greenstein. At times she finds these patterns while observing flora and architecture at how they are interwoven. At other times, Greenstein finds these patterns in a more abstracted form. This can especially be seen in her recent monoprints, which are inspired by memories of patterns.
If you enjoyed this presentation or have any thoughts on it or questions, please leave a comment. If you made a piece of art inspired by this presentation, we’d love if you’d upload and share!
One Response
Always outstanding, enriching, vivifying, inspiring, challenging. Thank you Martha and your team of artists and everyone!
One Response
Always outstanding, enriching, vivifying, inspiring, challenging. Thank you Martha and your team of artists and everyone!