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Blind contour6/11/2023 With contours, I emphasize that you can check that each facial feature is in the right location and has accurate size relationships. This time I say you can look at your paper a little bit more, but still focusing on the subject 70% or more of the time. Maybe you want to explore the style more, or maybe you are just looking to improve your technique. I have students draw with a three minute timer and remind them of the guidelines of contour drawing (which I display with a visual example for each session). Blind contour drawing is a great exercise to improve your painting and drawing. The modified contours go much faster since students have some practice behind them and depending on when we start, we can move on to final contour drawings the same class period. I also encourage them to draw larger than they did the day before. I have found a two or three minute timer works better for these since they are committing a little bit more to accuracy. We usually do three of these drawings together within their groups. If that all sounds good to you, read on for four ways to use blind contour drawing in your art 1. I have found if you practice blind contours enough, students are used to not looking and at this point are way more comfortable with the concept. I emphasize that you should only look at your paper at key moments, like when you are transitioning from drawing hair that leads into drawing a facial feature. 90% of your drawing should be done by only looking at your subject and letting your hand follow the lines your eye is seeing. Modified contour drawing has the same guidelines as blind contours, except you can glance at your paper A LITTLE bit. They are important foundational skills that lead up to a more refined result.ĭepending on how long the class is, we either move on to modified first thing next class period or about the halfway point of a block class. I use the examples of playing scales before a musical performance or doing drills before a soccer game. I remind students that this is all about hand eye coordination and it looking like a mess is part of the fun. Many are nervous about it looking “ugly” or “bad” and many just don’t want to commit to the exercise. I have found that students needs LOTS of pep talks and reminders for this technique. We switch views or who we are drawing and do about five together before I set them free to practice more independently. I like to set one minute or two minute timers to start off the process. You can only look at your subject (don’t look at your drawing until it’s finished) Focus on outer edges, or contours, of facial features and clothes (no shading) Kids naturally draw outline type drawings because they are the simplest form of drawing. Lines define every edge of an object with no shading. This is a great way to get your mind, hands, and eyes to work together. This project asks you to draw what you see in front of you, instead of what your brain remembers seeing. Keep your pen down (within reason of course, stretching is allowed) □ This quick blind contour drawing exercise is sure to bring giggles and learning What is a contour drawing A contour drawing is a line drawing. A blind contour is one continuous line made by very slowly drawing the edges and details of an object or person without looking at the paper.
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