Da Vinci's Ideas of Drawing

This study will examine Parts I and III from Michael J. Gelb's book How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci. Although Gelb deals with issues other than drawing, this study will focus on that issue because Part I of the book primarily presents an overview of the ideas the author explores and Part III deals specifically with drawing as an expression of those ideas and their application.

Delacorte Press, the publisher of Gelb's book, is an imprint included in Dell Publishing, which is itself a part of Bantam Doubleday Dell, which in turn is a division of the Bertelsman Book Group of Germany. Dell/Delacorte publishes, in addition to Gelb, such authors as Danielle Steel, John Grisham and Elmore Leonard.

Author Gelb graduated from Clark University with degrees in philosophy and psychology, studied "the esoteric traditions of the world" at The International Academy for Continuous Education in England, trained as a teacher in "the Alexander technique--a method of developing mind-body coordination." He then earned a master's degree in psycho-physical re-education from Goddard College. He has published Body Learning: An Introduction to the Alexander Technique, Present Yourself: Captivate Your Audience with Great Presentation Skills, Lessons from the Art of Juggling: How to Achieve Your Full Potential in Business, Learning and Life (with Tony Buzan), and Thinking for a Change: Discovering Your Power to Create, Communicate and Lead. In addition, Gelb has put out audio programs designed t

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to the test and discover for himself or herself whether what Gelb is claiming is applicable to the real world. Important to the book and Gelb's claims is also the suggestion that "thinking like Leonardo da Vinci" will make a positive change not only in the reader's ability to draw and to use more of his or her brain power, but also in everyday communication with the world, with other people, with nature, and with oneself. Part I of Gelb's book lays out the framework with which he will use to apply and describe his exercises and the aim of those exercises. The basis of his book is first the argument that almost every individual does not even come close to using his or her potential: Although it is hard to overstate Leonardo da Vinci's brilliance, recent scientific research reveals that you probably underestimate your own capabilities. You are gifted with virtually unlimited potential for learning and creativity (Gelb 3). One could argue and quibble with many of the rather expansive thoughts Gelb expresses throughout this book. One could reasonably argue that the "research" of which Gelb writes very likely does not precisely address the reader's estimation of his or her own capabilities. Gelb does not know that the reader or any

Category: Arts - D