Blind Contour Drawing: A Creative Warm-Up to Loosen Up and Let Go
A simple exercise to loosen up, stop overthinking, and let go of the need for tidy lines
Blind contour drawing is one of the oldest tricks in the (sketch)book, and one of the most underrated.
The idea is simple: you look at your subject and draw its contours. But you don't look at your paper. Not even a little. You just trust your hand to follow what your eye sees.
The result is almost always wonky. Lines go somewhere unexpected. Proportions drift. And somehow, that's exactly what makes it work.
This exercise isn't about producing something finished. It's about breaking the habit of over-controlling your marks, so that when you sit down for your actual project, your hand moves more freely.
In this video, I show you the basic exercise, share a simple trick to stop yourself from sneaking a glance, and then take it one step further with layered materials and a self-portrait. Yes, really.
Materials:
You don't need much for this one. Use what you already have.
Paper (any kind: sketchbook, loose sheets, whatever is nearby)
Something to draw with: charcoal, pencil, crayon, or oil pastel. Everything works
An object to draw (scissors are a good starting point)
One extra sheet of paper (for the no-peeking trick)
Optional: a mirror, if you want to try the self-portrait version
Instructions:
Choose your object and set it up.
Place it somewhere you can comfortably look at it. Scissors, a plant, a mug, anything with an interesting shape. Put your paper nearby, but resist the urge to look at it once you start.Start drawing: eyes on the object only!
Follow the contours slowly with your eyes, and let your hand follow at the same pace. Don't rush. Don't peek. Trust that something is happening on the paper, even when you can't see it.Use the no-peeking trick if you need it.
If the paper and object are too close together, your eyes will wander. The fix: place a loose sheet of paper over your drawing hand, and push your pen or pencil through it. You can't see what you're drawing, and that's the whole point.Accept the wobble.
When you lift the paper, the drawing will look strange. Lines won't connect the way you expected. That's not failure, that's the exercise working. The wonkiness is proof that you actually didn't look.Try layering.
Once you have one blind contour drawing, you can draw over it again with a different material or color. The layers make it richer and more interesting and you still don't look while you draw.Try your own portrait.
This is the harder version. Harder because drawing yourself means looking at yourself, and that comes with its own thoughts. But it's worth trying. Use a mirror or look into your camera. Start where it feels easiest (glasses, if you wear them, are a surprisingly useful anchor). See what comes out.
Final Thoughts:
The drawing you end up with probably won't be recognizable. That's fine.
What blind contour gives you isn't a finished piece; it's a looser hand, a quieter inner critic, and a small reminder that you can make something without controlling every line.
Start with the scissors. Try the no-peeking trick. And if you feel adventurous, draw yourself. You might be surprised by what you see.
What's Next?
Explore further
Looking for more warm-ups like this? You'll find them in the Art Warm-ups for Creative Flow playlist on YouTube . These are short exercises to ease you in without pressure.
Try a variation
Draw the same object three times in a row without looking. Notice how each one is different, and how each one gets slightly more confident. Or use different drawing materials.
Reflect & continue
After you try this, what surprised you? Did the wonkiness bother you, or did it feel freeing? That reaction tells you something worth paying attention to.
