The Zen of Seeing: Seeing/Drawing as Meditation

Although the whole `Zen and the Art of [fill in the blank]' shtick seems rather tired nowadays, this book was written back in the day before it had been done to death. And even though many of the insights in *Zen of Seeing* may now seem as trite as they are timeless, its hard to give this classic anything less than four stars, for it still manages to inspire, enlivened as it is by Franck's irascible spirit and sheer zest for life and the practice of drawing. What's more, this oversized trade paperback is filled with Franck's own uniquely beautiful pen and wash drawings--delicate, suggestive, almost calligraphic, they depict people, landscapes, animals, leaves, anything and everything that caught Franck's enlightened eye. And that's pretty much the point of *Zen of Seeing,* that all the Ten Thousand Things are worth seeing--and drawing--and by drawing even the lowliest insect or common weed, we see it and marvel at its inexpressible wonder for the very first time.This is really not a book about creating "Art." It's a book about the reverence of life for those who would use a sketchpad instead of a prayer book. Franck doesn't teach you about perspective or negative space, anatomy or shading--he's not teaching you *how to draw.* He's doing something far more important. He's showing you the *why of drawing.*You can draw on anything with anything and in the end it doesn't matter what your drawing looks like--or doesn't look like! What's important is the act of drawing itself, the quiet contemplation of the thing drawn that engages you fully in the moment and opens your eyes and your heart to the world around you. Have you ever seen--really seen--a sparrow, a turnip, your child's face? Chances are you haven't until you've sat with them, a pad on your lap and a pencil in your hand, and traced their outline as if you were touching them with your heart's own flesh. Chances are you'll see things in each that you've never seen before, that you'll never forget, that will become a part of you forever. For those moments when you draw an object, a person, or a landscape you become a part of what you see--and it becomes a part of you. In this way, drawing becomes a form of meditation, the Zen of Seeing.For those who already love to draw, this book will serve as inspiration; for those who think they'd like to draw, it will encourage you to do so. For both, it's the sort of book one should have on one's shelf even if it sits there untouched and forgotten for many years. On a rainy day of the heart, on some idle restless afternoon of the spirit, it's the sort of book one stumbles upon again and maybe that's exactly the time you need it most, when what Franck has to say sets off that lightning flash of understanding and you pick up your pencil and begin to see for the very first time the heretofore invisible world all around you.

The handwritten format is essential. It forces you to take your time and deeply feel the intentions of the author. Perfect companion to Drawing On The Right Side Of The Brain.

The book was in shape as advertised.

Used for drawing class.

Franck recommends drawing as a form of meditation. The book offers no advice on how to draw, other than to concentrate and practice, practice, practice. It does not advocate trying to be creative. The point is to concentrate fully on the object, person, or scene, and try to draw it accurately and experience its essence. Learn to truly "see" the object, not just look at it. This way of seeing is the opposite extreme from the momentary point-and-click experience of most travel photography. If you practice Zen seeing and drawing you may have the Zen experience. Franck admits that the Zen experience cannot be explained in words, then he spends several pages trying to give an idea of it. I admit I don't understand it. The Zen experience does not make any sense from a rational or scientific point of view. It is a different way of experiencing. The book is illustrated with many of Franck's pen-and-wash drawings.

In the beginning, I wasn't quite sure about this book. About halfway through, I couldn't put it down. It's an easy read, but not a skill instruction book for drawing. It's really about releasing, and the author took me on a peaceful, compassionate journey into "seeing" and feeling my way through the process. Yes, I've known drawing is therapy, but now I really know through experience.

Such a calming and inspiring read. Has me back out drawing sweet little weeds in my garden.

I seldom read a non-fiction book straight through, but this one I did. Suspecting that this book would appeal to each individual in a very personal way, I won't describe what appealed to me in detail. However, by the end of the story, I became a believer in my ability to sketch quickly and ultimately draw well. The major appeal is that it affirmed my personal discovery that drawing and painting is a form of meditation, of plumbing the depths of silence.

This book helped me understand Zen Buddhism better, now, when I draw and paint.... First I 'See' each nuance... Each little detail in life drawing in in sharp and focused.... Wonderful book...

Finora ho trovato due tipi di libri per insegnare a disegnare: quelli che cercano di farti riconoscere negli oggetti delle forme-base, e quelli che cercano di farti vedere l'Oggetto-in-sé. Questo libro appartiene a questa seconda categoria. Esplicitamente, dice che «you have noticed that until noe I have said hardly a word about the how-to of drawing. It is because nearly all hints on this how-to are fraudulent, teach one at best to imitate other people's drawings, to "manufacture" pictures». L'autore insiste invece sulla capacità di vedere/disegnare, un percorso al di là delle parole, che si basa sull'esperienza delel cose, per certi versi estatica. E' un libro di viaggio, appassionante, che dà ispirazioni più che direttive.Rispetto al libro di Betty Edwards Disegnare con la parte destra del cervello, è al contempo un libro che insegna meno e che dà di più. Sconsigliato a chi voglia migliorare velocemente le proprie capacità nel disegno, consigliatissimo a chi voglia provare a disegnare oltre la mera tecnica. E' quasi un'esperienza di joga, rende il disegno qualcosa che riguarda voi, intimamente, più che il foglio e la matita.

This is a totally charming book worthy or regular re-reads and, as suggested by the title, practicing "Seeing/Drawing" as meditation.

Haven't read much of it yet, but does show promise of advancement on weak aspect of my "view" of world: the visual aspect, precisely.Worth a go for those in similar situation: may be good academics, professionals, etc., but their seeing side is weak

The Zen of seeing is a beautiful book and is a great book for inspiration and refreshing your art practice. I bought it just before running a drawing and walking workshop and found Frederick Franck's approach reinforced my own ideas on seeing and drawing. It is a meditation and a practical guide. There are some fantastic drawings in there too.