Extended Blind Contour Drawing

Artist's Statement:

Jillian Wight

Medsker

AP Art and Design

16 September 2021

When I first was faced with the task of creating a finished product out of the three, unruly blind contour sketches I’d made, I was intimidated. I didn't know how I could create a cohesive and compelling composition that felt intentional after starting from something so spontaneous. However, I decided to work with what I had, and let the organic, life-inspired theme guide the piece. I decided to add a large drawing of a friend of mine down one side of the page, both to fill the space and to tie in the lines and basic shapes that characterized the other half of the page. I love this image because it really showcases light and shadow in a unique way, and her body is twisted in such an intriguing fashion. I added color to the outside of the figure to provide opportunities to expand and connect it to other areas of the work as it progressed. I then went over my blind contour sketches in a more realistic fashion, adding layers of lines and shadows in a way that I felt was both effective and really interesting to the eye. I outlined these with color as well, and then decided to finish the piece by filling the empty space with some of the patterns that typically characterize my work. I stuck to the organic theme, and I was really happy with the finished product.

I used a black fine-point pen to create my blind contour drawings and the large sketch of a body on the right side of the page. I then went in with colored pencils, which I usually try to avoid! I am so glad I found a way to incorporate new materials into my work, because I think it added such a unique element to my art that I would have missed out on if I’d continued to be afraid. I used dual brush markers and white gel pen to create the more realistic drawings that layered on top of the blind contour pieces. In the remaining space, I created lines using colored fine-point pens and layers of dual brush markers with gel pen.

I revised my idea a few times before I got into the groove of the piece and was able to create a polished final product. Specifically, I wasn't sure how to manipulate the composition. I started with a much skinnier, longer drawing of a woman on the right side, but felt that it wasn’t engaging and was pretty overdone in other art pieces I had seen online. So, I decided to add a personal touch. I think this was definitely the right choice. Next, I wasn’t sure how to go about utilizing the outline of the blind contour drawings. However, I think my layering and use of color and space creates a really cool effect. I loved working on this project, because it helped me to develop myself as an artist. I thought all my peers’ finished pieces were so outstanding, it was amazing to see!

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