Drawing Exercises

Exercises to increase drawing ability?

My art teacher introduced us to blind contour drawings awhile ago, and I've been doing them ever since to increase my drawing skills...the way I look at things. I find it fun and relaxing. But, I'd like some different exercises I can try. Ones that are unique like blind contour drawing. Any other exercises I can try?

Public Comments

1. Try to Relax, try not to think and just draw what ever you see. And another Practice,Practice, Remeber Practice makes perfects
2. Practice only leads to growth and improvement when it is done with active concentration combined with the intent to reach preset goals. Clocking in time or mileage in and of itself does not produce significant results. Here is one exercise: Carefully observe something then turn away and draw it from memory. Alternate back and forth drawing it carefully in full sight then from memory and compare the drawings to see what can be improved, what is being overlooked, breaking down and defining what exactly conveys the essence of the subject, etc. You need to do your best even when doodling. The goal is set lower but it is not mindless drivel. You will grow exponentially if this standard can be your mode of operation. If you are really serious about getting very good this is a book to acquire. Perfect these exercises and you will have made significant ground. It is worth every penny of the investment. The Bargue Drawing Course http://www.daheshmuseum.org/museumshop/index.php?productID=285 Also collect and study all of the Andrew Loomis books.
3. You haven't tried gesture drawing? If your teacher hasn't taught you those, get your hands on Kimon Nikolaides's book the Natural Way to Draw (it may be in the library or you can check interlibrary loan). Basically it means start from the middle and draw the action, not the image. Also check this page: http://drawinglab.evansville.edu/gesture.html Another good thing to do is to draw with washes. Try to use at least three and preferably more shades in a bunch of studies in your sketchbook. Value is important, you know.
4. The best exercises I have seen in my times or teaching art to others would be the blind folding. Gesture drawings: Drawing a subject wit minimum lines at a very quick pace. Spend 30 seconds to 2 minutes doing a gesture drawing. But the best improvement exercise that increases observation techniques as well as drawing skills is to simply pick a subject. And draw it upside down. This will cause both side of your brain to work more than they usually would. The right side of your brain will be planning how you are going to draw the image. And the left side of your brain will be comparing the 2. (Your drawing and subject) Typically people who do not draw very well to begin with will show much better results after drawing upside down.