• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Bex Hall

  • Blog
  • Newsletter
  • About
  • Contact me
Bex Hall > ICAD

ICAD

Perfect is boring

February 21, 2021

A good mantra for blind contour drawings

The prompt today is Big Bird. Immediately thought of the big yellow guy on Sesame Street but wanted to do something a little different.

Have you ever tried a blind contour drawing? Specifically a continuous line blind contour drawing or portrait? You draw something in pen without looking. The “results are quirky, kooky and otherwise surreal” writes Tammy Garcia of Daisy Yellow Art.

I first tried this in 2018 during the annual ICAD art challenge (that’s Index Card A Day). Typically you create a self-portrait; look at a photo of yourself, and only the photo — don’t look down, and draw one continuous line to replicate the image you see.

Some people blindfold themselves or create a tent over their hand to keep from looking. The urge to look is hard to resist.

But again, the results… fun.

Multiple attempts Big Bird Blind Contour

I made five attempts and didn’t really notice a ton of improvement, but there were differences. I began with the eyes on these two attempts.

Multiple attempts Big Bird Blind Contour

Started from the top of the head on two others. Then for the fifth, I started at the bottom.

5th attempt Big Bird Blind Contour

I suppose there was some improvement. Regardless, it’s a great creative experiment to push yourself out of the comfort zone of perfection. And there’s zero risk. It’s on an index card, or a scrap sheet of paper. Throwaway.

I’ll share the first one I ever did as a self-portrait in 2018. I added color after the pen drawing, while looking, just for fun.

You can do whatever it is you want. It’s your art, your experiment, your fun. Have at it.

With that, I leave you with my Picassoesque masterpiece. Until tomorrow, keep creating.

Blind contour continuous line self portrait

Filed Under: Art Projects Tagged With: art techniques, feathered friends, ICAD, the 100 day project

Primary Sidebar

About Bex

Bex is an artist who writes and a writer who arts. She creates in Studio BE overlooking the Ohio River.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Medium
  • Pinterest

Subscribe to my newsletter

Secondary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • Honor your quiet
  • Create your own view
  • One thing leads to another
  • A 100 Day Project check-in
  • Creativity comes in different forms

Notes

  • Goals for The 100 Day Project

    Show up every day behind the pen, the brush, or the lens and share my work.

Footer

Recent Posts

  • Honor your quiet
  • Create your own view
  • One thing leads to another
  • A 100 Day Project check-in
  • Creativity comes in different forms

Inspiration & Craft

Quotes on Creativity

Recommended Books

Art & Writing Supplies

Galleries

Photo Gallery

Follow me elsewhere

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Medium
  • Pinterest

Copyright © 2021 · Bex Hall

  • Blog
  • Newsletter
  • About
  • Contact me