Blind Contour

Contour

TOUCHING the edge of a form. (Outline differs in that it only follows the shape.)

Contour is Three dimensional.

The eye is the outline- the touch is the contour.

Practical

1. Do not look at the page, this is about touch not sight.

2. Touch the model with your pencil, move slowly and follow with your touch.

3. Practice on objects.

4. One drawing per page. Done on white drawing paper.

Thoughts: the contour of land, furrows, Low Latin (Late)- to go around.  Gesture, “that was a kind gesture”, Low Latin- a mode of action; from Latin- to bear, carry.

Note to a student that emailed me. (I wanted to share with you all.)
As to blind contour drawing, it is NOT about the drawing. BUt if you make your way around the outside of an object and need to connect the inside, just "WALK" over to the next object and FOLLOW the pathway there..even if it doesn't have a name (like the section in between my eyes and nose). OR, look down, find a new connection and follow from there.
It IS about feeling the edge you are "touching" as you go around the form (3-D)! So the sensitivity training is what is most important NOT the image it creates- strangely what is important is the ACT of DRAWING!!! NOT the noun: a drawing.