CONTOUR DRAWING WATERCOLOR DIY

Have you ever tried a blind contour drawing before? If your answer is no, you are in for an absolute treat this week! In essence, a blind contour drawing is an exercise where you draw a subject without looking at your paper.

If drawing isn’t your strong suit, don’t feel intimidated by this, feel liberated! Blind contour drawings are anything about perfection and more about free expression.

I’ve taken this simple exercise and punched it up by turning it into something modern and whimsical by adding in a watercolor element, and no matter what your artistic skill level is at, you can create your very own!
Fun, easy, modern, and whimsical… how many DIY’s can boast that?!

All you have to do is follow these simple rules:

1. Have a model or a photo for reference. You can paint yourself, a friend, or even a pet

2. Find the spot on the page where you want to start your drawing, and look away from your paper

3. Try to use one single line while drawing your subject

4. Don’t take yourself too seriously, and if you have to sneak a peak, that’s okay too!

5. Don’t like your first one? It may take a few tries to get the hang of it, so make a bunch of them!

Supply list:

Watercolor paper

Black watercolor paint

Painter’s tape

Water and paint dish

2 paint brushes 

1. Start by taping down your watercolor paper onto a flat surface to prevent buckling

2. With your larger paint brush, apply water to the area you want to paint

3. With the same large brush, start brushing on black paint. You want to be free with your brush strokes, and avoid going too dark too fast.

4. If desired, punch thing up with a few darker paint strokes

5. Set aside to dry

6. Once dry, dip your smaller brush in the black paint, and follow the contour painting rules I mentioned at the beginning of the post

7. Once your artwork is dry, you can remove the painter’s tape

8. Make a bunch and give them to your friends! 

I just love any excuse to make something fun and not take myself seriously, and I think this blind contour watercolor is the perfect project to get wild. I also think that it is the perfect project to share with others. Instead of a wine and canvas party, why not a wine and blind contour drawing party? You can people take turns to model. Everyone can come home with a pile of unique drawings of themselves! It would also make for a cute date night with your SO. 

If you’ve made your own Contour Drawing Watercolor, show me on Instagram using #mytrinketsandlove. Like what you see here? Follow along on Instagram and Pinterest and don’t forget to subscribe to the newsletter for exclusive access to the latest news!