Don’T Blink! The history and why of blind contour drawing.
For centuries, artists have used techniques to hone their observational skills. One of the most popular techniques is known as blind contour drawing. This form of drawing requires an artist to focus solely on their subject and draw their subject without lifting their pen from the paper or looking at the paper. This technique has been used by artists for centuries and is credited to the Greek artist, Nicolaïdes.
Kimon Nicolaides was born in Greece in 1891 and was educated at the Athens School of Fine Arts. As a teacher of drawing, he emphasized the importance of observation and accuracy in his instruction. He believed that if a student could observe a subject accurately and draw it without looking at the paper, then the student had a better understanding of the subject. To help his students achieve this level of accuracy, he developed the concept of “blind contour drawing.”
In recent years, the work of Nicolaides has become increasingly popular in the art world. His unique approach to teaching drawing, which he called “blind contour drawing,” has become a staple of art education. By breaking down drawing into its most basic elements and emphasizing the importance of observation, Nicolaides has had an incredible influence on the way art is taught and created today. During his time, he taught his students to draw from memory and observation. These lessons focused on using the senses of sight and touch to learn how to draw.
Blind contour drawing is a technique that helps to sharpen an artist’s observational skills. This technique requires an artist to focus on the subject and draw without looking at the paper. To do this, an artist must use their sense of sight and touch to observe and draw the subject. By doing this, an artist is able to gain an understanding of the subject’s shape, form, and texture. Additionally, it can help an artist to be more conscious of their lines and the shapes they are creating. This exercise forces the artist to focus on the details of the subject and to draw it accurately, without worrying about the overall composition. While this exercise may seem simple, it can be incredibly difficult and often yields surprisingly accurate results.
Nicolaides’ teachings have had a lasting impact on the art world. His emphasis on observation and accuracy has become a staple of art education and his concept of blind contour drawing is still used by teachers and students today. By breaking down drawing into its most basic elements, Nicolaides has helped countless students better understand the subject they are attempting to draw.
