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Blind-Contour Line Drawing of a Scales of Justice
Learn blind-contour drawing by tracing a scales-of-justice figure without looking at your paper. Focus on line and observation, not proportion or shading.
Free lesson
Four exercises
Worked answers
Object Drawing Lessons
Blind-contour drawing trains your hand to follow your eyes. You draw a subject while looking only at the subject, never at the paper. This lesson uses a scales-of-justice figure because its straight beams, curved pans, and central column offer clear edges to track. You will not aim for accurate proportion or shading; the goal is continuous, slow line and close observation. A convention is defined for judging line quality so that valid stylistic alternatives are accepted.
Practice materials: Printable downloads are not available for this lesson yet. Use the instructions and four exercises below.
What blind contour means and how to set up
Blind contour means drawing the outline and internal edges of an object while your eyes stay on the object, not on the paper. Your hand moves slowly, matching the speed of your gaze. The drawing may look distorted; that is expected and not the measure of success.
Place the reference image where you can see it easily without turning your head far. Tape one sheet of paper in front of you and cover it with a second sheet so you cannot peek. Use a pencil or pen that makes a clear line. Work in one continuous line where possible, lifting only when an edge truly ends.
- Tape the reference image at eye level and place your drawing paper below it, covered by a blank sheet.
- Choose a starting point on the scales figure, such as the top of the central column.
- Move your eyes slowly along an edge and let your hand follow at the same pace without looking down.
- When you reach a junction, continue along the next edge without lifting the pen if you can.
- After the timer ends, uncover the paper and compare the line quality, not the likeness.
Tracking the scales-of-justice edges
A scales-of-justice figure typically has a central vertical column, a horizontal beam, two chains or cords, and two pans. Treat each as a sequence of edges: the column's sides, the beam's top and bottom, the curve of each pan, and the small links or lines connecting them.
Keep your line continuous across junctions. For example, when the beam meets the column, let the line turn and continue along the beam rather than stopping. If a chain is drawn as a series of small loops, simplify it to a single wavy line and note that choice in your comparison.
Use a hypothetical timer of three minutes for the first attempt and five minutes for the second. These durations are examples, not standards; adjust to your comfort. The convention for line quality is: continuous where possible, slow, and observant. A broken line is acceptable if you can explain where your eye paused.
- Start at the top of the column and trace down one side to the base.
- Move to the beam and trace its top edge from the center to one end.
- Follow the chain or cord down to the pan and trace the pan's rim.
- Return along the pan's underside and up the other chain to the beam.
- Repeat for the second pan, then trace any base or foot edges.
Comparing blind contour to the reference
After drawing, place your blind contour beside the reference in the comparison box. Compare line continuity, edge order, and where your eye paused. Do not compare likeness or proportion; those are outside this task.
Use the rubric to judge whether your line follows the observed edges in a slow, deliberate way. Valid alternatives include simplifying chains to a wavy line, drawing pans as open curves rather than closed shapes, and allowing small gaps where your eye moved to a new edge. These choices are acceptable if they are consistent and explained.
- Place the blind contour and reference side by side.
- Mark three places where your line stayed continuous across a junction.
- Mark one place where your line broke and note why.
- Write one sentence about an edge you observed more closely than before.
Worked example
A learner draws a scales-of-justice figure blind for four minutes. They start at the top of the column, trace down one side, continue across the beam, follow one chain to a pan, trace the pan rim, return up the chain, and repeat for the second pan. They lift the pen twice at chain junctions. After uncovering, they compare the line to the reference.
Worked answer
The learner notes two continuous junctions at the beam and one break at each chain. They mark one place where the pan rim curve was observed closely. Using the rubric, they score continuity as partial and observation as strong, and they write that simplifying the chains to wavy lines was a valid choice.
Four practice exercises
Exercise 1
Draw a blind contour of a simple scales figure with a straight column, one horizontal beam, two straight chains, and two open semicircular pans. Start at the top of the column and work down one side, across the beam, down one chain, around one pan, back up, and repeat. Do not look at the paper. After three minutes, uncover and compare.
Show answer and check
A continuous line that follows the column side, turns across the beam, descends one chain, traces the pan curve, returns, and repeats for the second side. Breaks may occur at chain junctions if noted.
Why: The sequence follows the object's edges in a logical order and keeps the line moving slowly. The open pans are a valid simplification.
Check: Place beside the reference and mark two continuous junctions and one explained break. Confirm the line order matches the described sequence.
Exercise 2
Draw a blind contour of a scales figure where the chains are drawn as small loops. Simplify each chain to a single wavy line. Start at the beam center, trace to one end, follow the wavy chain to the pan, trace the pan rim, and return. Repeat for the other side. Do not look at the paper. After four minutes, uncover and note your simplification.
Show answer and check
A line that moves from beam center to end, down a wavy line, around a pan rim, back up, and across to the other side. The wavy line replaces the loops.
Why: Simplifying loops to a wavy line is a valid alternative that keeps the line continuous and observable.
Check: Check that the wavy line is consistent on both sides and that the simplification is written in the comparison box.
Exercise 3
Draw a blind contour of a scales figure with a base foot under the column. Start at the base, trace up one side of the column, across the beam, down one chain, around the pan, back up, across the beam, down the other chain, around the other pan, and back to the base. Do not look at the paper. After five minutes, uncover and compare.
Show answer and check
A continuous line that begins at the base, moves up the column, across the beam, down and around each pan, and returns to the base. The base foot is included as a short horizontal edge.
Why: Starting at the base and returning there creates a closed path that covers all major edges in order.
Check: Verify that the line starts and ends at the base and that both pans are traced. Mark one place where the line stayed continuous across the beam.
Exercise 4
Draw a blind contour of a scales figure but allow yourself to lift the pen at each chain junction. Note each lift. Start at the top of the column, trace down, across the beam, down one chain, around the pan, back up, and repeat. Do not look at the paper. After three minutes, uncover and explain each lift.
Show answer and check
A line with deliberate breaks at chain junctions, each noted. The line otherwise follows the column, beam, chains, and pans in sequence.
Why: Lifting at junctions is acceptable if explained; the exercise still trains observation and slow line.
Check: Count the lifts and confirm each has a written reason. Check that the edge order matches the prompt.
Common mistakes
- Looking at the paper to correct a line. Keep the paper covered and accept the distortion; the exercise is about observation, not correction.
- Drawing too fast and skipping edges. Slow your hand to match your eye; pause at junctions and continue deliberately.
- Judging the drawing by likeness to the reference. Use the line-quality rubric instead; proportion accuracy is excluded from this task.
- Lifting the pen at every corner. Try to continue through junctions; if you must lift, note the reason in your comparison.
Self-check rubric
- Line continuity: continuous across most junctions, with breaks explained.
- Observation: line follows observed edges slowly and deliberately.
- Edge order: traces a logical sequence from column to beam to chains to pans.
- Valid alternatives: simplifications such as wavy chains or open pans are noted and consistent.
- Comparison: places drawing beside reference and identifies at least one observed edge.
Questions and answers
May I look at my paper at all?
No, the exercise is blind. Keep the paper covered until the timer ends. Afterward, uncover it for comparison only.
What if my drawing looks nothing like the scales?
That is common and acceptable. Judge the line by continuity and observation, not by resemblance.
Can I simplify the chains?
Yes. A single wavy line is a valid alternative if you note it in your comparison.
How long should I draw?
Use a hypothetical three to five minutes as a starting point; adjust to your comfort. The duration is an example, not a standard.