Extended Blind Contour

After making the original blind contour drawings I was unsure how to proceed, so I started by outlining all of the drawings. This was initially just a way to create a boundary to try to keep the pastel from smudging, but creating these outlines gave me the idea of creating a sort of "haze" or distortion around all of the blind contour drawings. This also worked to unite the four different drawings and tie them together. The squiggles and distortions created a dreamlike feel, and to me, the warm and bright colors symbolize positive feelings.

I started by creating four blind contour drawings of assorted classmates using black oil pastel. The last of these drawings (lower right corner) was made more slowly and deliberately. To extend the drawing, I used an ink pen to create boundaries around all of the contour drawings. I had to leave white space because I did not want the oil from the pastel to damage the tip of the ink pen. I repeatedly draw more outlines with ink, trying to create shapes and squiggles which looked like ripples on the page. To eliminate white space in the background I alternated between creating more details with ink and using color pastel to create a warm background. I blurred the colored pastel to try to create a more uniform, washed-out, look.

After making the blind contour drawings, I started to outline them, aiming for a distorted effect. I liked the idea of a haze or oil spill. I played with the width of the lines to further this association. I wanted the end result to seem dreamlike or mind-bending, and so the ink work was not strictly realistic. I added details where I felt like they fit, such as the eyes or the designs that look like chains of bubbles. When it was time to add color I chose to use color pastel because it is not something that I usually work with, and I want to become more comfortable with bolder colors and designs. I started off with yellow, since the lines radiating off of the drawing in the upper left corner reminded me of sunbeams. I chose to stick with a warm color palette because these colors , in my eyes, convey positive feelings.