Blind Contour Line Drawing

In this lesson students explore line, shape, colour and movement to create a blind contour drawing. Students will draw inspiration from flowers, leaves, trees or other objects from their environment to create their drawing using a black fine liner. Students will explore the shapes of their chosen object in detail as they draw on to cartridge paper. They will then add colour to the shapes created in their drawing using coloured pencils.

Lesson 1

Explore the shapes found in nature as a class. Look closely at a natural object and follow the line of the shapes with your eyes or by tracing with your finger in the air. Explain what a blind contour drawing is and the process of creating one.

Students choose an object from nature, such as a flower, or select a photo to work from.

Students use a fine liner to explore the contours of their chosen object, drawing it slowly without looking at the page, creating a single continuous line with the pen on cartridge paper.

Once the drawing is complete, students add colour to their work using coloured pencils, exploring the smaller shapes they have drawn and adding colour to those areas.

Reflection:

How would you describe the line in your work?
How would you describe how shape is created in your work?
What kinds of colours have you used in your work?
How would you describe how movement is created in your work?
What is a blind contour drawing?
How did you feel when creating your drawing?

Extension:

Students can create a still life set up to draw from.
Students can use different materials to add colour to their work, such as watercolour paints or pastels.
Students can create multiple drawings exploring the same object, working to different time frames to complete the outline of their work.

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