Inside Leonardo's Mind: The Codices - Analyzing His Notebooks and Creative Process

Explore the fascinating world of Leonardo da Vinci's codices in this two-part session. Delve into the thousands of observations, studies, and sketches recorded by the Renaissance master in his notebooks. Analyze Leonardo's unique "mirror script" handwriting and uncover the elements that make these pages both challenging to decipher and a true reflection of his genius. Break into small groups to examine select pages from the nearly 6,000 created by Leonardo, investigating his thought process, problem-solving approach, and creative methods. Discover how he utilized the blank page, explore the relationship between text and image, and gain insights into his analytical and artistic techniques. Learn about the differences between pocket-sized and larger format manuscripts, and understand the continuity of discourse in Leonardo's work. Examine specific examples such as the Codex Leicester and anatomical sheets to grasp Leonardo's original methods. Conclude by discussing how to apply Leonardo's basic principles to your own creative process, encouraging you to "become Leonardo" in your approach to observation and analysis.