The blind contour drawing exercise is a fundamental tool that can help beginning artists create their first drawings, as well as help experienced artists become reacquainted with the power of observation.

The method seems simple.

But it helps artists of all levels improve their observational skills by instructing them to look at the lines, shapes and patterns of objects and how they combine to form what we see.

The physical act of drawing consists mostly of developing hand-eye coordination. Anyone who can write legibly has the physical ability to record observations of a subject through drawing

To get started, you will need:

• Paper
• Pencil or pen
• A timer

Once you have the right supplies:

1. Choose a subject to draw — still-life objects or the figure work well for this exercise
2. Set the timer for 20 minutes.
3. Tape the paper to your drawing surface so it doesn’t shift as you draw.
4. Arrange yourself so you can see the object you will be drawing without seeing the paper.
5. Focus your eyes on some part of the object and begin moving your pencil to record what your eyes observe.
6. Do not look down at the paper as your draw. Rather, force yourself to concentrate on how the shapes, lines, and contours of the object relate to one another.
7. Continue observing and recording until the timer rings

“Although this exercise can be difficult at first. With practice and perseverance, it will become easier and you will learn to shift your thinking from an analytical, labeling mode to one that is more intuitive.”

Start practicing with copying existed linear drawing.

Then switch to a real object.

Look around. Pick one.

Blind Observational drawing

Take off your shoe!!!

Put it in front of you! Yes, right on the table.

Cover your drawing paper so you cannot see what you are drawing.

Draw with continuous lines without lifting the pencil.

Draw what you see, estimate proportions