Observational Drawing Blind Contour Line Drawing Lesson By
Observational Drawing: Blind Contour Line Drawing Lesson By: Katie Hill 10/27/09
Vocabulary: Line: The basic element of all design; Path made by a moving point. Line Type: Vertical, Horizontal, Zig Zag, , Broken, Straight, Curvy, Open, Closed, parallel, gesture, contour, etc.
Contour line: Strong, simple line that defines and describes the edges and surface ridges of a shape (Contour lines define the outside edges of shapes and interior details).
Gesture line: A quick, rough line, which captures shape, form, and movement. (Gesture drawings capture a basic shape of an object quickly)
Blind Contour Line: A slow, careful process of Drawing by looking only at the subject, which is drawn, and not the paper.
Technique: Blind Contour Drawing!!! • • many people draw what they THINK they see and not what they REALLY see (symbols of trees, hearts, etc. rather than observational drawing. ) Increases eye – hand coordination while capturing an intricate outline of an object Trains artists to draw from observation, not memory Blind Contour Drawing is a way to improve observational drawing skills. It is tough and intimidating at first, but FUN! Artist: James Culleton
“While my eyes are on an object or person or building, I draw it, sometimes with such focus that I don’t even look down to see what I am drawing. This technique, known to everyone as blind contour drawing, is an effective hand-eye training tool, and artistic discipline. ” ~ J. Culleton
J. Culleton: Flower Studies from Salt Spring Island 2008 J. Culleton: Tractor
BLIND CONTOUR DRAWING! Activity: Draw your non-dominant hand by using the Blind Contour Method. (“BLIND” = No Peeking at Your Paper AT ALL!) Artist: James Culleton 1) Place your hand in front of you in any position 2) Pick up your pen and pick a point on the contour of your hand where your eyes can begin a slow journey around the contour 3)As your eyes begin to move, so should your hand (pretend they are one). Start drawing your hand SLOWLY, paying attention to every single detail and record them on your paper. 4)Remember, Don’t look at your paper or you will lose details!
• Expect to experience initial confusion and occasional frustration. It takes patience. • Do you see the fine folds, wrinkles or grooves in your palm? Progress from bolder lines to finer lines as you sketch. • Watch for the directions of the folds. For deeper lines, press your pencil harder on the paper. For finer lines, use a lighter touch • Try not to lift your pen • RELAX! • GO SLOW , Pay attention to every curve, every move the edge of your hand makes • TIP: Try not to let your eyes get ahead of the point where you are drawing. Imagine you are actually touching your hand with the tip of your pen. • Don’t worry about what is happening on the paper • You will be surprised at your result! • The first one will look weird but with practice, you should be able to accurately record an image or object without erasing, losing important details, or looking at your paper as you draw. • you will come up with an unexpectedly beautiful drawing-definitely something you would not be able to create if you watch what you draw.
- Slides: 10