The Art of being Ambidextrous

September 14, 2010

Being able to do your artwork well with both hands is a valuable trait. I think more so for sculptors. When you are right handed then sculpting the left side of the face is easy, but the nose gets in the way when your working on that right eye. Solution: train yourself to use both hands equally well. Though both hands are used in blocking out the figure, or a portrait, artists tend to gravitate to the stronger and more skilled hand to work on the details and refining facial features. By forcing yourself to use the tool in your other hand, you will get as competent in your 'weaker' hand. Of course it takes some discipline and time and if you have deadlines looming on commissions you may want to fight this battle at another time, but the freedom, speed and flow of a sculpture is greatly increased by being ambidextrous. Another simple way to increase this trait is by doing simple everyday things with your less dominant hand,such as eating, brushing your hair and using your toothbrush -( I wouldn't recommend shaving until you've gotten to a confident level of mastery.) All these things will add up, and you will start seeing that you are becoming proficient with both hands in your artwork. This also forces more synapses between your left and right sides of the brain, and for the artist that is equally valuable. So keep working, ...on both sides.

"I am still learning" - - - Michelangelo at age 87

To leave a comment you must be logged into Facebook on your device.

By Tracy Sugg April 17, 2025
For this week's Art Review, we will look at a sculpture from Roman antiquity and discover possible clues about who the sculptor was portraying. Image used Creative Commons license
By Tracy Sugg April 14, 2025
In this Sculptor's Muse episode,Tracy discusses the importance of structure in creating the human figure.
By Tracy Sugg April 10, 2025
Winterhalter was a Neoclassical portrait painter sought by the royalty and aristrocracy of Europe. In this Art Review we will look at his portrait of Princess Leonilla. Image used Creative Commons License
By Tracy Sugg April 7, 2025
In this Sculptor's Muse podcast, Tracy shares her experience with learning a new technique - field sketching through watercolor.
By Tracy Sugg April 3, 2025
In this week's Art Review, Tracy will be discussing a bronze sculpture by a court sculptor to the French King Loius XIV, Jean Raon. Image used Creative Commons License
By Tracy Sugg March 31, 2025
In this episode of the Sculptor's Muse, Tracy discusses the creative inspiration behind her sculpture of The Lamb of God. This is the blog post she refers to on Thoughtfully Decorating for Easter.
By Tracy Sugg March 27, 2025
Following last week's Art Review of a Northern European painting of the Adoration of the Shepherds; this week we will look at the same theme by a Southern European painter, Sabastiano Conca. Image used Creative Commons License
By Tracy Sugg March 24, 2025
The fourth part of a four part series The Theology of Beauty - an interview with Dr. Matthew Miller. Tracy and Matthew discuss Beauty in Theology and its relation to Art and the human experience.
By Tracy Sugg March 20, 2025
These next two weeks, we will be looking at two paintings depicting the Adoration of the Shepherds. This week will be from a Northern European painter and next week a Southern European painter; we will discuss the differences between the two. Image used Creative Commons license
By Tracy Sugg March 17, 2025
The third part of a four part series The Theology of Beauty - an interview with Dr. Matthew Miller. Tracy and Matthew discuss Beauty in Theology and its relation to Art and the human experience.
More Posts