Tags
Animals, art, BLIND CONTOUR DRAWING, Drawing and Painting Imaginary Creatures, drawing animals, elephants, imaginary animals, mixed media, Mixed-Media Workshop, painting animals, stylized animals
Hello! I have one more elephant for you!
One of my Facebook friends, Debbie Denton, posted this cute elephant to my fb page the other day and I thought it would make a GREAT drawing prompt for today’s assignment!
Even though the book is about drawing imaginary and stylized animals, there is a whole section on drawing from life or photo references. Why? Because I know that, for me, the more I look at, study, and draw “real” animals, the more authentic my stylized critters are.
One non-threatening way to draw from life is to do a BLIND CONTOUR DRAWING. This is a classic exercise (found in most drawing books) that is meant to start training your hands and eyes to work together. Also, since you are not allowed to look at your paper at all, you can just throw out from the beginning any stress about the outcome. (In fact, if it doesn’t look weird when you’re done, you probably peeked by accident!)
Here’s how to do it:
BLIND CONTOUR ELEPHANT DRAWING
1. Get a ballpoint pen or other permanent marker and a piece of letter-sized paper. Scroll the blog post down so the photograph of the elephant is in sight.
2. Now, put pen to paper, take a breath, and pick a point (any point) of the elephant’s outside edge (I started mine at the top of the ear on the left). Then, very slowly, start moving your pen and your eyes at the same speed along the edge of the elephant. Keep your eyes fixed to your reference 100% of the time. Don’t forget to breathe!
3. Draw every curve and bump, and continue drawing both the contour edges and interior lines that define the main elephant parts — legs, ears, trunk, etc. — until you have drawn the entire elephant (again, without peeking!).
3. It will be so tempting to look at your paper when you finish drawing a leg, for example, but make it a game for yourself to NOT look. Just make your best guess as to where to begin again, put pen to paper, and continue.
4. When done, look at your “elephant.” Is it weird and wonky? Perfect! Here’s mine:
So what do you do with drawings like this? Well, nothing! Just set them aside, knowing that the NEXT time you try to draw an elephant from your imagination, you will have a much clearer idea of how an elephant’s foot curves, for example. Try it!
Art Giveaway!
I’m giving away these two little “Blobimals on Clouds,” below. It’s about 4″ x 5″ and created using steps from Chapter 3. Just leave a comment below for a chance to win (BONUS: If you do the above assignment, go ahead and comment twice!) I’ll pick the winner randomly on Sunday, September 30th.
And the winner was commenter #7, Carla Dixon!
Have fun drawing today! And, if you like, you can upload your elephants to the Drawing and Painting Imaginary Creatures flickr group!
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This post is part of a Two-Week Book Release Celebration for my new book, “Drawing and Painting Imaginary Animals: A Mixed-Media Workshop with Carla Sonheim.” For the schedule, which includes book and art giveaways, contributing artists features, tutorials, and assignments, click here.
Melva Bates said:
How great it would be to win one of your lovely Blobimals. I am just sitting here now trying to do a contour drawing of the lovely elephant. But I can’t stop peeping……HELP need a mask or something??????’
Smyth said:
Melva,
I know the challenge not to look. Actually, inspired by Carla’s post today, I had my students loosen up for their observation drawings, by practicing with a few blind contour drawings. It was very hard for them not to peek too…Try putting your paper, and your hand inside a brown paper bag… That’s what I have my students do. Or you can throw a scarf or bandanna over your hand. Just a thought.
Paige said:
These remind me of cloud animals you find in the sky! Love them (-:
Erin said:
I love this tutorial. Our grand daughters are coming for the weekend – and I have just the best activity for all of us to try. Thank you.
Becki said:
The elephant is a cutie!
Pingback: Link to Day #4 of Carla Sonheim’s Book Release Blog Celebration « lifeimitatesdoodles
Caran said:
I’m going to try this. Elephants are my daughter’s most favorite animal. Thanks, for bringing whimsy back into my life!
Carla Dixon said:
I like your blobimals.
Sanna-Miina said:
I did the exercise. Fun! 🙂
Smyth said:
Got your blogpost this morning when I checked my e-mail before school. I love your Blobimals! Once again, I am inspired… A wonderful way to begin my block one art class!
Serena Mira Asta said:
I LOVE this blobimal! And I’m enjoying the new book. Starting to teach drawing to elementary school kids this week (exciting for so many reasons!), so I don’t have as much time to spend with Imaginary Animals as I’d like. Tempted to put it under my pillow to see if your skills, techniques, and FUN will osmos into my brain and bod. 😉
Serena Mira Asta said:
Forgot to say my favorite blind countours from your classes have been elephants. They are SO much fun to spend time with. I bet I have a dozen or so and I love them all!
Corinne Loomer said:
Love your blobs! So excited found your book “Drawing Lab” yesterday. So of course I had to buy it! I actually drew some cats! Never thought that would happen.
C. Sparks said:
Very Enjoyable! i just love these mini tutorials. It’s a great way to spark imagination!
Rani Macias said:
Thanks, Carla! Love watching the “blobimals” as they seem to flow out of your fingers.
linda Hardy said:
What a lovely print, congrats on your book!
Shannon Ganshorn said:
OMG that elephant picture is adorable!! 🙂 Thanks for entering me into your draw 🙂
Beth Chapman Kreutz said:
Oh yes, I want your original artwork!
Beth Chapman Kreutz said:
…and I want it very badly.
Tracy said:
A great way to open my creative brain before I start my work day! thanks.
melissa langer said:
oh how fun carla!
i adore the book!
i just got mine and i cannot wait for your art camp for women class in oct in wp!
xoxo
melissa
Lisa Chin said:
Your animals are always so adorable!
Lisa Chin said:
I made my elephant blind contour drawing. So funny! It’s been a long time since I’ve done a bcd. I need to do it again in my sketchbook – or maybe just glue this page into the sketchbook. 😀
Treebird said:
I did the exercise twice, my results are so funny but wonderful! I would treasure your artwork Carla.
buntyw said:
Love your blobimals on clouds!
buntyw said:
I’ve had a go at an ‘elephant’!! What fun! I’m going to try it again!
joanne said:
another great tutorial and chance to win — i posted my wonky elephant on facebook — love your work hope i win
Lisa Firke said:
So adorable. And I love that elephant pic. Waving and cheering you on throughout the whole blog tour!!
Jennifer said:
what a cute elephant – such a great expression
siebensachen said:
Three elefants I have drawn blind, I just couldn’t stop. And yes, they look definitly like elefants and it was fun!
Smyth Bouchard said:
I Love blind contour drawings! They are tons of fun! I really need to start doing them more often…. I posted my elephants on my blog. You can see them here: http://barefootedwanderer.blogspot.com/2012/09/elephants.html
Paolo said:
Your books and your suggestions force me to draw again, draw more. For drawing, (perhaps as other arts or creative activities) always start as an inner need but cannot lead anywhere but outside, towards others, straight to their hearts and without the need for much words. PS – sorry for my bad English!
Meg in Nelson said:
Blind contours are great fun!
Ruth said:
These are just too cute … and I love the baby elephant! I can’t wait to try this when I get home. Ruth
Susan Webber said:
LOVE IT ALL!! Your creatures make my soul sing and dance with delight.
fanny said:
Cute little blobimals !
Posted five elephants on the drawing lab flickr site .
LOVE blind drawing !
donna joy said:
cute blobimals!
joan craft said:
having fun 🙂 🙂 🙂 luv the print
hugs
joan in italy
coolquilting said:
I would LOVE to win your blobimal! Patiently waiting by the mailbox for your book….
Darlene Cranna said:
If it were possible, I’d love to give the baby elephant a big ol’ HUG! I don’t know much about elephant behavior so is she (or he) smiling?? Anyway, this photo make me smile! Thank you Debbie and Carla for sharing.
Gaby said:
Thanks for another great idea Carla – I loved the exercise
Penny said:
Oh to win one of your little blogimals. Heaven. I do so love the elephants.
Lucy Chen said:
How cute is that baby elephant!
Dotti C said:
Would love to have your little blogimals!
Dotti C said:
And I just finished my blind contour drawing. Whew! It is definitely an imaginary creature!
Jan Harris said:
Would love one of your blogimals!
Jan Harris said:
And completed the blind contour drawing and will post it to my page with a link!
Isabel Cruz said:
I love your little blogimals! I want them!!!
Leah said:
Hi Carla, I just won your book in a giveaway by Quinn McDonald. I’m so excited! I have your other book and I love it. I can’t wait ’til it comes in the mail and I can start creating with it!
janice said:
I am so amazed at what you do with the blobs and would love to own one
Cheryl said:
I drew the elephant, and it looks like an elephant assembled by committee, as blind contours often do. 🙂
annetteinfl said:
loved doing blind contours!!