Drawing in Black & White

Exercise 6: BLIND CONTOUR DRAWING

IN THIS EXERCISE, YOUR PEN NEVER LEAVES THE PAPER AND YOUR EYES STAY FIXED ON YOUR SUBJECT, WHICH CAN BE A STILL LIFE FROM YOUR DESK, A PERSON’S FACE, OR ARCHITECTURE, LIKE IN MY EXAMPLE. THIS METHOD REALLY HELPS YOU “SEE” YOUR SUBJECT IN A FOCUSED WAY.

MATERIALS

Black, gray, or tan lightweight or heavy cardstock

White gel pen, black gel pen, or permanent marker

Timer (optional)

1. Select your reference materials from your work area, travel books, or online.

2. Set up your drawing materials.

3. Study your reference for a minute to get comfortable with what you see. Put your pen on the paper without looking down. For about one minute, draw what you see without lifting your pen or looking down. I use a timer ...