Blind Contour Drawing Exercises

Assorted bottles & Lemons

I gathered up as many bottles as I could and I set them up in different positions. Blind contour drawing is a wicked way to draw.

It is crazy, to rely on your eyes only. This really sharpens my observation skills. It's a whole new level of drawing. I was entirely lost in the drawing process. I was in the zone and I've loved it!

Also I gathered lemons and placed them on a metal rack as a still life to sketch from.

I must promise myself to add blind contour drawing to my everyday routine!

Contour Drawings Exercises

Pens, Jewelry boxes, Eyeglasses & Bananas

I started off creating still lifes..... Of anything. I decided to use everyday objects. Pens.

At the beginning I felt like I was taking baby steps. Like my hand almost forgot what to do. Silly, isn't it? But that's how I felt.

After the first study I decided to place a bunch of pens in the glass jar. The drawing took me to a place that I haven't been in a long time. The zone, the drawing zone! 

I'm so concentrated on the objects in front of me, in my hand movement, then I forget all my problems for a few moments.

And of course I keep the best for last. What every art student has to go through. I guess our right of passage…….. To draw your hand holding a pen!

As the saying goes, it's exactly like riding a bike again. You get back on and you ride your bike as if you have never forgotten. Unfortunately, I never learned how to ride a bike..... Ha Ha!

Contour Drawings

Contour drawings

Definitions:

Contour drawings - is an artistic technique used in the field of art in which the artist sketches the contour of a subject by drawing lines that result in a drawing that is essentially an outline.

Blind contour drawings - is a drawing exercise, where an artist draws the contour of a subject without looking at the paper.

Sometimes I get into a creative “dry spell”. This dry spell will last between a couple weeks to several years. I've been dealing with chronic pain in my joints specifically in my knees. 

I got a phone call from my college friend. I explained to her my latest troubles. She suggested that I get back to drawing. Just started off with some contour drawings. My schedule is truly tight, in my head, I was coming up with every reason why I couldn't start drawing again. I decided to take her advice to heart. It's been the best thing I've done. I reintroduce myself to my sketch pad and began to do a series of contour and blind contour drawings.

I've been able to squeeze in between 15 minutes to 20 minutes daily. I became comfortable, in the zone, in my own space and it felt great! It was liberating and all the sudden the creative juices came back to me. I haven't done drawings like these in many, many years. I forgot how fun, energizing and challenging it could be.

I still deal with chronic pain, but is something very special about drawing and painting. I'm not so centered on my pain anymore. I'm focused on something bigger!

Thanks Melissa! Thank you for reminding me that once an artist will always be an artist.

Strolling Down St. Marks Place

Acrylics on Paper 14"x17"

I love traveling throughout the city especially downtown  Manhattan. I always enjoyed walking and taking pictures, so I've always carried my camera, Nikon D50. I always took pictures, and when I saw this couple in the distance I couldn't help myself I took a picture of them. They're looking at each other in such a loving and caring way. They seem like a endearing couple strolling down St. Mark's Place.

To be honest, I don't see many couples look at each other in that way.

So many people fall in love for the wrong reasons. There are people who are married and don't love each other. There are people who are only together because of the children. 

 A dear friend of mine always had a boyfriend. At first I thought she loved the idea of being in love, but I was wrong. Every time we will bump into each other, she would always ask me, “Girl when you going to get a boyfriend?” My answer has always been,” Well…..I don't know, there are so many knuckleheads to choose from!”. Then we would just laugh!

One day she asked me again, “Why you don't have a boyfriend yet?” I told her with my busy schedule, I just haven't met the right guy. Also I just didn't want someone to bring me down just so that I can declare, ” I have a boyfriend, hooray!”  He will have to be worthy of my time and vice versa.

She looked at me with a sad look on her face and said I never thought of it that way. My friend from childhood stated that she wanted a boyfriend just so she wouldn't be lonely. She also confessed that she didn't want people to judge her if she didn't have one. She said that she wished that she would've thought the same way, three kids later, troubled boyfriends….. the guys in her life cost her more problems than happiness.

Ideally, at this precise moment in the painting, is representational of love. As a couple, they should enhance each other's lives not bring each other down. All of us deserve that much.

Pride

14" x 14"

• Self acceptance
• Self-respect
• Integrity

The painting was created to celebrate the pride of being a woman of African descent.  Yes, people of African descent skin complexion varies from rosy peach to deep chocolate. The hair textures varies from bone straight to tight coils. All forms are absolutely beautiful. The spotlight for now, is the beauty of dark skin and the Afro. This has been a underrated example of beauty.

The painting was created to be displayed at the Apollo Theater Foundation Exhibition. Several references, later this image was created. I wanted to have a model head up in a profile to show strength and pride in beauty of her hair and physical features. The afrocentric scarf wrapped around her head as a headband to create a contrast next to her smooth complexion.

The painting, “Pride” illustrates a feeling of happiness that comes from achieving self acceptance there is a sense of pride in her face from high self-esteem. She loves and except herself therefore she's able to love others and except others.

This pride represents the boldness of truly being yourself!

Snowy Night

8" x 10" tear sheet

I used to attend monthly meetings at the graphic artist guild, I met a wonderful person named Lance. He was always helpful and supportive.

He suggested that I try for cricket magazine for children. I mailed samples of my work to the art director, and I got the assignment. 

It was an exciting experience to freelance for cricket magazine. Various models were used, including my sister Kishla for the swing pose. We traveled on several photo shoot's to capture this look.

The other elements were used for different references. This image was created to work along with the poem that was provided from the editor of cricket magazine. It's interesting to see someone's written work and someone's artwork combined together to tell a visual story. We never met nor communicated with each other, but I think it came out great. It was it interesting process.

Size 11” x 14”

Medium acrylics on paper

Kish and Pete’s Baby Shower

Photo Invite 5"x 7"

Photo Collage 8"x 8"

Kish and Pete’s Baby Shower

The happy and excited couple were expecting the birth of their baby boy soon…….

It was time for a baby shower!

Since they knew the gender of the baby, it was, it was fun to play around with different shades of blue. The mason jar's with blue tinted with acrylic ice with the light side. The jars with trimmed with rhinestones (My sister, Kishla loves sparkle). The other table decorations included mini cardboard onesies with bow ties. 

Also part of the table decor, where the battery operated tea lights in the shape of bottles.

The party gifts were a smash hit. Since Christmas time was around the corner, but not part of the theme, I came up with the idea of using clear ornament holders filled with blue covered chocolate candies. And I topped it off with deep blue ribbon with white polka dots and cardboard. The party guests spontaneously started to shake the party gifts. It transformed into a music maker. It was fantastic, all the adults had fun. I must post a video someday…… it was amazing.

Hey guys, I'm going to say that again. If anyone is interested in creative table settings or party favors please email me at artbybond@gmail.com.

Please help support the arts.