This lesson plan introduces students to blind contour drawing to help them learn to accurately capture what they see through line drawings. Students will choose an object to draw without looking at their paper for 15-20 minutes. The goal is to train their eyes and hands to draw the lines, shapes and contours as observed, rather than creating a polished drawing. After completing their drawings, students will reflect on the challenges of capturing what they see versus what appears on the paper through this exercise.

1. Introduction to Drawing: Blind Contour Drawing Lesson Plan
Purpose: The purpose of this lesson will be to familiarize grade 7/8 students with an exercise in
drawing that has been used by artists throughout history. Students will learn the significance of
line in drawing as well as train their hands to truly draw what the eye is seeing. They will
complete a pure contour drawing of an object of their choice. A class discussion will soon
follow. Emphasis is placed on the development of the hand to accurately execute what the eye
is seeing rather than the quality of the blind line drawing.
Time: One class period
Class: Grade 7/8 split
Materials:
 Pencils/Pens
 Paper
 Everyday objects (shoes, desks, pencil case, stapler, iPads, etc.)
 Tape
 Paper plates (optional)
Objectives:
 Become familiar with line as contour
 Produce a pure contour line drawing
 Be able to develop hand-eye communication and coordination
 Develop a perceptual skill of realistic drawing (i.e. the perception of edges - expressed
through “line” or “contour” drawing)
In preparation for this lesson: I did some experimenting on my own and tried doing some blind
contour drawings. This helped me understand what difficulties some students might encounter.
Here are a couple strategies I discovered that might help students get started and to make it
easier to complete this activity.
1. Start close to the top of the paper then proceed to draw down
2. It will be necessary at times to draw over lines previously drawn before to help
complete the contour drawing of the object
Activity 1 – Blind Contour Drawing Exercise:
Although this exercise can be difficult at first for students but with practice and perseverance it
will become easier.
1. Have each student choose an object to draw
2. Set the timer for 15-20 minutes (depending on time constraints)
3. Pass out paper, tape, and pencils to students

2. 4. Have each student tape a piece of paper to their desk so that it doesn’t shift as they
draw
5. Before students begin, demonstrate to them how to do a quick 1 minute contour
drawing. Emphasising that the drawing will not be high-quality. If students are still
unsure, show the following link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKHVqbM_xLU
6. Arrange students so that they can see the object they will be drawing without seeing the
paper
7. Allow students to focus their eyes on some part of the object; moving their pencil to
record what their eyes observe
8. Make sure that students do not peek at the paper as they draw; concentrating on how
the shapes, lines, and contours of the object relate to one another
a. Use paper plates which block students from looking at their contour drawing
9. Make sure that the students don’t rush. They should concentrate on observing every
little detail.
10. Make sure students continue to draw until the timer signals themto stop. Then allow
them to turn and look at their drawing.
11. Make sure students sign and date their work and place it in their art folder
12. Pause for reflection after the students complete their blind contour drawing. Ask
students to reflect on what they see versus what is being produced on the paper. Can
they see some formation of the objects they are attempting to draw? Are some parts of
their drawing amazingly accurate? Did they find that some parts of their object were far
better drawn? Did they find it useful? Freeing? Would they do it again?
13. Have students walk around the classroom to see other students blind contour drawings
so that they may see that all struggle with this exercise
14. *If there is time still remaining, allow students to continue to practice pure contour
drawing by using other objects that they have not used until the bell rings
Summary:
Blind contour drawing is an excellent way to train the eye to draw what it really sees
rather than what it thinks it sees. The reason most people have difficulty drawing realistically is
not because of any lack of physical skill or talent but because they have not been trained to
really look at what they see.