Blind Contour vs. Contour Drawings

In our first session we experimented with blind contour and contour drawing. A bit more information may be helpful. Contour drawing refers to using line to contain the outside edge of an object or form. Our last drawing was made as a pure contour line drawing. Contour line drawings are most often made with the eye moving back and forth between the subject and the paper in order to check line direction, shape, proportion, etc. Pure contour drawings contain no shading or tonal values. Here are some examples of contour drawings by Matisse, Grosz and Picasso.






Blind contour drawing is a sort of artist's "calisthenics". It is often used as an exercise to quiet the mind and focus the eye; to coordinate the eye and hand, and focus one's perception in order to foster a type of pure seeing. Blind contour drawings are done by looking only at the subject. The eye does not check in with the drawing surface. The drawing as a "product" takes a backseat to the act of focused seeing. The pencil stays in contact with the paper at all times and "touches" the subject as one draws. It is best to work quite slowly. Aim to have the pencil and the eye at the same point as one works on the drawing. Here are some examples of blind contour drawings.




Check out this link for more information on blind contour drawing...

More Blind Contour Practice