Fearless Drawing

79

Blind-contour drawing means drawing an object or

scene without looking at your paper. This is the perfect

exercise to develop our observation skills, since we are

forced to completely focus on our subject rather than

fiddling with the drawing on the page. As our drawings

improve, we need to get used to spending most of our

time observing the object with only very quick glances

at the paper from time to time.

For this exercise you are not allowed to look at the

paper at all, which is actually harder than it sounds.

If you’re anything like me you’ll be itching to have a

look at your drawing, but it’s important to RESIST that

urge. The hardest part of this exercise is losing your

way—once you take your pen off the page, it’s very

difficult to work out where in the drawing you are, so

it’s tempting to take a quick glance. But by creating a

drawing without looking at the subject, you will start

to “feel” the outlines of the object, training yourself to

draw what you can actually see rather than what you

think you should see.

I find that working in this way allows me to relax and

enjoy the process of creation—I can’t worry about

how the drawing is looking, because I can’t see it. This

is another exercise I use when I need to warm up and

loosen up. It’s an invaluable way to begin sketching

anything new, as it gives you space to properly

observe and understand the subject. This adventure

will produce drawings that in some areas may seem

muddled and disoriented, but in many others will be

beautifully observed, demonstrating the enormous

value of keen perception.

Drawing Blind

BLIND CONTOUR

I have a small ceramic mug on my desk filled with five pens, a pencil, and a highlighter.

I used a large, hardcover book to block my view of my drawing paper (so I couldn’t

see the paper and, therefore, couldn’t cheat!) and then drew the pen mug. After the

exercise, I was able to see many places on the page where I lost my bearings and I failed

to join the handle to the mug. (Figure 1)

My second attempt at the same object is a little better as the

pens are more spread out, but again the handle isn’t attached to

the mug. I’m not surprised that this one is better—after having

looked so closely to draw it once, I was bound to have a better

understanding of the subject this time. (Figure 2)

Figure 1

Figure 2

80 > Fearless Drawing

TIPS

 If you find that it’s too disorienting to lift

your pencil from the page, try using a

continuous-line approach—draw the

entire object without lifting your pencil

from the page.

Your turn. Grab a mug filled with pens, or select any other object you like. Use a

hardcover book to block your view of your drawing paper, then use your eyes to feel

along the outlines of the objects and reflect them on the paper. Don’t move anything

and try this exercise again—is your second try better? What elements of these drawings

please you? Which do you feel are really accurately observed?

As we move on, remember to spend most of your time looking at the object you are

trying to draw instead of at your page. You only need to glance occasionally at your

page to orient your lines. Remember that all the information you need to create your

drawing will be found by looking at your object, so train your focus there.

Include your drawing here:

Drawing Blind > 81

ADVENTURE