The Cornell Lab Bird Academy Discussion Groups Nature Journaling and Field Sketching Focusing on Your Subject – Blind Contour Drawing

    • Bird Academy
      Bird Academy
      Describe your experience with contour drawing. Once again, share it if you’d like to. Do you think it helped you stay focused on your subject?
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    • McSkug
      Participant
      Chirps: 7
      Ughhhh, I so need to practice this more! 😳
    • Inigo
      Participant
      Chirps: 6
      The sunbird.😅🤪🧐😳IMG_0743
    • Regin
      Participant
      Chirps: 6
      imageimage
    • Carol
      Participant
      Chirps: 12
      Red Newt Bird of Paradise
    • Carol
      Participant
      Chirps: 4
      • IMG_1820
    • Nancy
      Participant
      Chirps: 8
      Images attached show my attempt at drawing the newt. I tried twice and both times it looked more like abstract art. Perhaps my drawing arm is resting and it shouldn't be? Any suggestions on how to avoid the crossing over of lines? I'm going to continue to see how I improve. It seems like it should be easier than it was. Thanks for any and all suggestions.IMG_2389
    • LAP
      Participant
      Chirps: 48
      imageimage
    • Giorgia
      Participant
      Chirps: 24
      This exercise was great, and the way it went makes me think I should keep it up on a regular basis because it’s amazing how it keeps your focus glued to your subject. The newt drawing was my worst result of all since it was an open line (I later consciously marked in red the actual contour to highlight the difference). For the next three subjects my hand managed to turn them into closed shapes on paper, and I was pleased with how here and there the outline of the subject turned out to be fairly accurate. Definitely want to keep up the exercise! IMG_20250223_111009IMG_20250223_111057
    • Tricia
      Participant
      Chirps: 4
      I wanted to say that Liz’s explanation of blind contour drawing is probably the best I’ve ever heard!! I always thought the point was to go fast. But her explanation to “let my eye trace along the outside edge of what I’m drawing” and “strengthen the connection from your eye down to your hand” was really helpful. Giant eureka moment for me (even if the results are nowhere near perfect). And the suggestion to examine the drawing for parts where I had success, that was really beneficial as well. Where I still struggle: figuring out the timing. For example, on long straight edges I have a tendency to rush ahead, and then the proportions get all out of whack. bc-1bc-2
      • Tricia
        Participant
        Chirps: 4
        oops, one more (somehow skipped a page in  my journal; this was my second set of drawings while the springbok and coquette were third) bc1point5
    • Sandra
      Participant
      Chirps: 1
      Total disaster.  Complete failure.  Will try again sometime maybe.
    • Sally
      Participant
      Chirps: 33
      My drawing is of a potted plant, although it definitely leaves a lot of room for improvement.  I timed my drawings and each one took about three to four minutes.  It did help me stay focused on my subject.
    • Sally
      Participant
      Chirps: 33
      blind contour
    • Camille
      Participant
      Chirps: 14
      Blind contouring drawing does help me stay focused and draw more slowly. The results are fun to see! I was happy to note that at least it looked like a plant! : ) IMG_3550
    • Eve
      Participant
      Chirps: 1
      Contour drawing is so much fun!  Really loved it.  Results are surprisingly (almost) recognisable.  This is definitely an exercise I am going to do often and will notate my improvements.
    • Linda Guenther
      Participant
      Chirps: 20
      IMG_8141IMG_8139Everyone needs a laugh now and again.
      • Nancy
        Participant
        Chirps: 8
        Hi Linda, my newt looked like abstract art, even on 2 attempts. I'll continue working on it. So far, looking through what others did (I'm not comparing, just curious) yours was the first one I saw that looked like mine!
    • Debbie
      Participant
      Chirps: 32
      Well, I was certainly focused on the subject, and I did not do as badly as I thought I would do; however, I wanted to stop and continue the lines for example on the Bird of Paradise, I wanted to draw all of one leaf before I started on the next leaf.  I felt the basic shape was there, but mis-shaped, and the ends, of course did not meet.  I think it went as well as could be expected. blind contour drawing
      • LAP
        Participant
        Chirps: 48
        nice detail
    • Nadja
      Participant
      Chirps: 9
      I loved this exercise - it made me pay attention, but it also loosened me up. My expectations were low, and I had fun seeing what emerged.IMG_0117
      • LAP
        Participant
        Chirps: 48
        Looks really good! I agree this exercise was really fun!
    • Maura
      Participant
      Chirps: 15
      I was surprised to see that I was able to capture the essence of the subject. Far from great, but I liked that even subjects that looked challenging had a resemblance to the image. I also liked the slow pace and mindfulness required for the exercise.
    • Peter
      Participant
      Chirps: 6
      Yes, it helped me stay focussed and I noticed more details about the way the lines changed angles more than before. the outcomes were funny but in each there were elements that recognisable.
    • Dawn
      Participant
      Chirps: 1
      IMG_4474IMG_4473I am definitely going to need more practice but am determined to trust the process.
    • Toni
      Participant
      Chirps: 4
      Wow, a great challenge to really connect eye/brain to hand.  I think I was more observant and patient the first time with the newt.  Humbling! IMG_8345 IMG_8346
    • Rose
      Participant
      Chirps: 2
      Ave del paraisoBird - Blind contour drawing
    • Laurie
      Participant
      Chirps: 9
      Great and interesting assignment.  I drew the red-spotted Newt and found that I wanted to look at what I was drawing. I didn't.  My image was very similar but a bit heavier.  Drawing this way makes you really focus on the line in the image.
    • Kathleen
      Participant
      Chirps: 21
      Springbok Blind Contour