Art is Fun – Contour drawing portraits

What is Contour Drawing?
Contour drawing is a way of drawing where you focus on the outline of an object. Instead of looking at your paper much, you keep your eyes on what you are drawing and try to follow its shape with your pencil. It helps you see details and improves hand-eye coordination.

How Does It Help Creativity?

It makes you notice shapes, curves, and edges more clearly.
It trains your brain to see things in a new way.
It helps you loosen up and enjoy the process of drawing without worrying about being perfect.

What Can You Learn from It?

You learn to trust your eyes and hand to work together.
You become more patient and observant.
It improves your overall drawing skills, making your artwork look more natural and expressive.

It’s a fun and relaxing way to build confidence in art!

Contour Drawing Instructions

By Debbie Crouch & Heather Roundell

What is Contour Drawing?

Contour drawing is a fun and creative drawing technique where you focus entirely on the outline of an object. The key challenge is to not look at your paper while drawing! Instead, you keep your eyes on the object and use a pen or pencil to capture its shape in one continuous line without lifting your tool off the paper.

How to Do Contour Drawing

Choose Your Object: Pick an item with interesting shapes and textures, such as a hand, plant, or household object.
Select Your Tools: Use a pen, pencil, or marker—whichever you feel comfortable with.
Set a Timer: Contour drawings are usually timed between 1 to 3 minutes.
Position Yourself: Sit comfortably and place your paper in front of you. Do not look at it once you begin!
Start Drawing:
- Place your pencil or pen on the paper.
- Keep your eyes on the object and slowly follow its contour (edges) with your eyes.
- Move your hand at the same speed as your eyes, drawing one continuous line without lifting your tool.
- If your line goes off the page, simply rejoin and continue without worrying about mistakes.
Trust the Process: It takes courage to resist peeking at your drawing, but the experience is both freeing and enjoyable.
Reflect on Your Work: Once the timer ends, look at your drawing. It may look abstract or distorted, but that’s part of the fun!

Benefits of Contour Drawing

Improves Hand-Eye Coordination: You learn to trust your eyes and hands to work together.
Enhances Observation Skills: Helps you see details you might normally overlook.
Reduces Stress & Anxiety: The focus required creates a calming, meditative effect.
Encourages Creativity: The unexpected results can inspire new artistic ideas!

Our Experience with Frank Kiely

We had the wonderful opportunity to attend a 30-minute contour drawing session with artist Frank Kiely, supported by The National Brain Appeal and The Big Draw. This event encouraged participants to share their work using #MakingYourMark on social media.

The session was part of A Letter in Mind, an annual art fundraiser supporting the NHS, The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, and UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology.

For more information, visit:

“Contour drawing is not about perfection—it’s about learning to see in a new way!”

Originally published 2023
Creative art for all ages and abilities—Let’s share the beauty of creativity!

Posted in Behind the Scenes, Drawing, Learning With Us