Blind Contour

The Blind Contour

Goal Concept:

Blind contour drawing improves eye-mind-hand coordination

Access Prior Knowledge:

Trigger Mechanisms:

Flow, peach, mindfulness, meditation consciousness  

New Information:

The fovea  is a small area of the retina at the back of the eye where the cones are packed tightly together.  The fovea is responsible for our ability to focus and see details.  

The remaining area of the retina is used for peripheral vision.  Peripheral vision is necessary for our perception of a broad visual field.

The eye is full of muscles.  The iris is a muscle that regulates the diameter of the pupil, making it small in bright light and large in dim lighting (to allow as much light as possible to enter the eye).  

Muscles attached to the eye and connecting with the eye socket enable us to move our eyes up and down, left and right permitting us to scan a broad visual field without moving our heads.  

Apply Knowledge and Skills:

Studio Activity 1: Blind Contour

1. Find a visually complex object.  Ex. flower, crumpled paper, open purse…
2. Sit comfortably with a pen and paper taped to a board in front of your object.
3. Close your eyes and become aware of yourself sitting in space.
4. Relax and feel your butt on the seat.
5. Continue to relax by taking deep, slow, sustained breaths.
6. Mentally visualize stress leaving your body as your breath leaves your body.
7. Now turn your attention to a time you were visually dazzled. (concert, sunset, gallery)
8. Really sense the intensity of your total awareness at that time.
9. Remember the awe of the total and undivided attention towards the spectacle.
10. Permit that quality of seeing to dominate this exercise.
11. When you feel that quality of ‘seeing’ relax to a deep breath and open your eyes.
12. Fix your gaze to the object you have chosen and look at nothing else.
13. Continue to look at the object, permitting your eyes to wander only over it.
14. Look as if you are exploring the territory of the object.
15. With your eyes staying fixed on the object, put pen on paper and allow it to move as your eyes move...your hand following your path of vision.

 

Studio Activity 2: Blind Peripheral Contour

1. do the opposit

Studio Activity 3: Scanning Exercises

Generalize, Reflect and Publish

Critique:

How did the time pass, were you able to stay focused?

Studies show that much of visual perception is learned and is subject to modification through learning.  This means we can improve and expand visual perception.  We can strengthen and sharpen our visual perception through exposure and exercise.

p. 8-11 Visual Literacy