Here is a photo my husband took of me in July in Slaughter Beach, Delaware. I was not posing like this; he was just snapping some photos and caught me in this position. Well, why not immortalize it in pen and ink, I said to myself one night while lying on the sofa watching TV and getting ready to draw something.
So I did, giving it the time it deserved – about 30 seconds each. A couple of tiny blind contour drawings. I am fascinated by how this kind of drawing develops images that are strangely true and yet very far from reality.
Claudia McGill and Her Art World 
Haaa! Love these! 👏👏👏 And yes – wow – blind contour drawings can be incredibly powerful. You’ve just inspired me to do some today. (Btw re “old lady:” I don’t know how old you are but you look a LOT younger than I do! 🙃) 🤗👋
“Strangely true and yet very far from reality” — how true! And charming, too. I love that scribble in the second one. This is such a good reminder that I don’t always need to be at the art table, surrounded by hundreds of collage papers + scraps + paints + pens + glues, to work at art. Thanks, Claudia.
Thank you. I often have the urge just to scrawl out something or the itch to have the pen in my hand, I could be anywhere when it strikes!
::runs back:: Wow – I’m so sorry! I read this post before I hadmy coffee – saw the title as “Old” not “Odd.” Please ignore the second half of my earlier comment!! 😳🤗
Don’t feel bad, my husband also read it as “Old”! And I am old! Not ancient, but old enough!
Awww, thank you. ((hugs)) Your 2 drawings are wonderfully expressive – 👏👏👏👏👏
When I first saw the title I read it as “Our Lady”–and so you are. Great gestural drawings.
Far from being old, you are our lady of inspiration (check out my response on the kick-about when I reblog it later today) (k)
Thank you. You made my day. I thought this photo was so odd looking in the pose and yet somehow appealing. I wanted to draw it right away.
I like the photo and the drawings. Very natural. A bravo to you and the photographer.
Thank you. And you know the photographer, Mr. Bob.
The lines don’t look contour
I am very impressed with your blind contour drawings. I would never have guessed that you created these without looking at the page.
Thank you. Well, I did color in the sunglasses by looking at them. The rest, I just go really slowly and let my hand follow my eye as I go around the figure.
It is an enviable talent to be able to capture the “strangely true”
Thank you. I think the blind contour method of drawing gets you very close to what the subject really is – you don’t make judgements, just follow what you see. I like doing it.
That is a wonderful description of what the blind contour method does, Claudia. You’ve got me wanting to do it now, after unintentionally forgetting about it for the past 20 years.
Get out your pen and get going. In one minute you’ll be smiling. I guarantee it!
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