Drawing Tutorials

Semi-Blind Contour Drawing | Elevate Your Drawing Skills

Think of your art time like a pie chart: some slices for finished art, some for exploration, and some for fundamentals. This semi-blind contour drawing exercise builds confidence and sharpens observation so you can elevate your drawing skills.

Robert Joyner | Garage Studio Artist & Art Educator

31 Aug 2023 — 3 min read

Think of your drawing practice like a pie chart. If you want to improve your drawing skills, you need to divide your creative time between beginner drawing exercises, exploration, and finished artwork. One of the most effective exercises is contour drawing — a method that trains observation and hand–eye coordination.

For years, I neglected this slice of the pie. I could draw “okay,” but I never gave serious time to perspective or foundational drills. And I see the same with students: they pour everything into finished art, but skip the simple exercises that actually make their drawings stronger.

That’s where the semi-blind contour drawing exercise comes in. It isn’t about making a masterpiece; it’s about sharpening your fundamentals. This drill builds line confidence, strengthens observation, and reminds you that practice is just as important as polished work.

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Hands shaky? Lines messy? This semi-blind contour exercise is one of the best ways to train your eyes and hand to work together. It’s similar to a blind contour drawing — but you get to peek occasionally, which gives you more accuracy without losing the spontaneity.

In this beginner-friendly drawing exercise, you’ll learn how to:

Strengthen observation skills
Improve line confidence
Avoid messy “sketchy” lines
Capture honest, expressive drawings

Step 1 – Understand the Difference

Blind contour = draw without looking at your page.
Semi-blind contour = draw while peeking occasionally.

👉 Why it matters: Blind contour builds raw observation, while semi-blind contour balances accuracy with freedom.

Step 2 – Make Decisions, Not Scribbles

Contour drawing isn’t about creating hundreds of scratchy lines. It’s about committing to one line at a time:

Look at your subject
Judge the angle (vertical, horizontal, or diagonal)
Put it down once — confidently

👉 Why it matters: Every line becomes intentional, even if it’s not perfect.

Step 3 – Keep the Pen Moving

Try to avoid lifting your pen as much as possible. Follow the edges of your subject in one continuous line, only lifting when you absolutely need to move to a new shape.

👉 Why it matters: Continuous lines help your brain focus on seeing rather than overthinking.

Step 4 – Use Comparisons & Guides

Relate angles to vertical and horizontal “anchors”
Imagine a clock face to judge directions
Pay attention to negative shapes (spaces around the subject)

👉 Why it matters: These tricks give you more accuracy without breaking the contour-drawing flow.

Step 5 – Time Yourself

Set a timer for 2 minutes per drawing. The time limit keeps you from fussing, overcorrecting, or erasing.

👉 Why it matters: Quick studies train decision-making and keep your practice honest.

Example: The Alarm Clock Demo

In this video, we practice semi-blind contour using an alarm clock. Notice how the lines aren’t perfect, but the overall form feels solid and honest. That’s the real goal: clarity over perfection.

Elevate Your Drawing Skills with the Semi-Blind Contour Exercise

Why This Exercise Works

Builds hand–eye coordination
Improves line confidence
Helps you see angles, shapes, and proportions clearly
Keeps drawings loose and expressive

Motivational Reminder

It doesn’t matter if the drawing looks strange or even a little awkward. What matters is that every line is a decision. Over time, this practice will sharpen your observation skills, make your lines more confident, and ultimately elevate your drawing skills.