Drawing: Learning to See
Drawing is a practice through which we learn to see.
The essence of drawing lies in the ability to truly see what is in front of you.
Often, when we look at a flower, we do not really see the flower; instead, we see a simplified idea of what a flower could look like. If we slow down, we begin to see that a flower is not just a “flower”—each flower is a complex interplay and unique composition of structure, shape, light, texture, color, and context. Our ability to perceive and appreciate all the nuanced details we observe determines the quality of what we translate onto paper. Our ability to perceive fine details in all their granularity reveals that drawing is less about skill and more primarily about sight— perhaps we are simply not seeing the world as clearly or deeply as we could.
This practice also nurtures our emotional well-being. When we learn to tune-in and perceive the details and nuances in the life around us, we can turn this practice inwards and begin to sense the diversity of our own inner emotions. By cultivating the patience to slow down and truly observe, we learn to sit with what we discover, deepening our self-awareness and expanding our emotional vocabulary. This allows us to articulate our inner states with greater nuance, enhancing our emotional intelligence, and providing us with a wider range of responses to draw from in return.
Practice
Blind contour drawing is not just about putting lines on paper and creating a polished end product; it is about honing our ability to truly see and deepening our presence.
Practices like contour drawing are invaluable for slowing us down and training our eyes to observe the world as it really is, rather than how we assume it to be. This technique invites us to follow the edges and shapes of an object with unwavering attention, focusing on every curve, dip, and nuance. This deliberate, slow process helps quiet the mental shortcuts our brains are programmed to take, replacing generalized impressions with a deeper connection to whatever we are observing. By engaging in exercises such as this, we cultivate patience and sharpen our ability to perceive detail—textures, proportions, shadows, and negative spaces that we might otherwise overlook. These practices retrain our vision, helping us move beyond the symbols and preconceptions in our minds, to the richness of what is truly in front of us. In doing so, drawing becomes a meditative act, a way to connect with the present moment and with the beauty of the ordinary.
In engaging with the process, we not only improve our observation skills and hand-eye coordination, but we also cultivate patience, learning to connect with the moment and the essence of our subject. Through this practice, we discover not just what we are drawing, but also a deeper understanding of ourselves and our connection to the world.
Blind Contour Drawing
Select Your Subject
Select something simple yet interesting to draw, such as a plant, a hand, or an everyday object.
Prepare Your Materials
All you need is a pencil or pen and a piece of paper. You will not need an eraser for this exercise— “mistakes” are part of the process.
Position Yourself
Sit comfortably where you can clearly see your subject. Place your paper where it is easy to draw without looking at it.
Set a Rule: No Peeking!
The key to blind contour drawing is to avoid looking at your paper while you draw. Keep your focus entirely on your subject.
Begin Observing
Take a moment to look over your subject. Just sit with it for a moment. What do you notice, take it all in and connect before you begin. Select a specific point on the subject and let your eyes slowly trace the outline of what you see. Slowly move your eyes along the contours: the edges, shapes, and details. Move your eyes as if they are guiding your hand.
Let Your Hand Flow
As your eyes move along the subject, let your drawing hand follow the same path on the paper. Feel as if your eyes are the tip of your drawing utensil. Do not lift your pen or pencil—try to create one continuous line.
Go Slow...
The slower, the better. Link your eyes and your drawing hand as if they are one synchronized movement. The goal here is not perfection, but the connection between all that you see and how your hand interprets it.
Embrace the Unexpected
Your drawing may look messy or abstract, that is a particular kind of beauty. The intent of this practice is a mindfulness exercise, cultivating your observation and coordination, not to create a perfect image.
Reflect
When you have finished, embrace your drawing and take in the spontaneous wild nature of what you have created. Celebrate the process and how it supported you in seeing details you might not have perceived before. Lean into the meditative and freeing nature of this practice—it is important to remind ourselves that it is about the journey, not producing a final product.
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