Yup Folks, It's That Time Again ..

For another Blind Contour Drawing. I can't believe its been about a month since my last one :-/ I thought it was time to get back to it and revisit why it is I love doing these. By the time I was finished with this piece, I remembered. I am calling this one, appropriatly, 'Einstein'. This time, the drawing may be a bit more peculiar. I'm not sure how that happens or how I can explain it, but I'll try my best. I settled on the subject, because I've been doing some reading lately and noticed Einstein's name popping up here and there. Before I knew it, I was reading things about his life. I was browsing mostly, but none the less I was learning some bits and pieces about his life that I was totally unaware of. I was lured into article after article by his theories, is radical ideas and mostly by his multitude of eccentricities.

Of course there are the photographs..

Oh yes, the photos. They say pictures tell a thousand words. When it comes to down to it, they just may. I don't want to carry on about Albert and his quirky ways or share all of the pictures you may find yourself on the web by simply Googling his name. But rather share just a few, for they are the reason behind this art piece I would like to share with you today.

One of the more famous shots is of Einstein sticking out his tongue. A classic but not the one that I want for my subject photo.

Source

Another that intrigued me, Is one that National Geographic posted above an article, where Albert is looking more like Hugh Hefner.. Lounging gracefully in a chair by the beach, draped in a comfy robe.

Source

Now we're getting closer, Einstein and his pipe, out for a summer sail. This is now looking very familiar to me
and something I very much associate with him. A habit I think is totally out of character for a genius, and something I would never consider one taking part in. But non the less this is closer to the image that I have planted in my mind when I here or read his name.

Perhaps no part of Einstein’s persona is quite as recognizable as that of his ever disheveled look, wild hair, and pipe in his mouth. He was arguably as much a lover of smoking from his billiard as he was of critical thought, and believing that the former encouraged the latter, Einstein uttered one of the more memorable and beloved quotes about our beloved briar. “I believe that pipe smoking contributes to a somewhat calm and objective judgment in all human affairs.” Einstein was often seen followed by a trail of smoke as he walked between his house and his office at Princeton, sock-less no doubt. Like any ordinary man, Einstein had other hobbies and past times. When Einstein attended college at the Polytechnic Institute in Zürich, Switzerland, he fell in love with sailing. He would often take a boat out onto a lake, pull out a notebook, relax, and think. Source - Photo & Text

I Finally Found My Inspiration Photo ..

It is of Mr Einstein lounging in his study, smoking a pipe and hair disheveled. He is holding a pad of paper with pen in hand, ready to think up the next crazy, new idea, or prove a theory right or wrong. This is the photo of Albert Einstein that speaks to me saying, "Draw Me and make my picture as intriguing and messy as I was." I am no genius.. far from it.. but for a few moments, while lost in the blind drawing his image, I thought I could be! Sadly it is always proven otherwise. The drawing didn't come out that bad; borderline one of my favorite blind contours thus far. I feel as though our conversation, Albert and I, would be short and pointless, but we would surely have a good laugh over this drawing :-)
Source

I Begin As Always, Gathering My Materials ..

For these blind contour drawings, I do not need much as far as materials needed goes. All I require will be my sketch pad with subject photo attached, a fine point pen, 5B pencil, and eraser. That's it! I'll complete the first part, the actual drawing, with only the pen. So let me grab that pen and get going.

For approximitly the next 5 minutes, I keep the pen glued to the paper (one continuous line) and my eyes never once wandered from the subject photo (blind drawing). This is why the drawing is a bit grotesque and funky looking, but also why they call it blind contour drawing. I usually love the results, as I did this time as well. 'Einstein' is now a completed blind contour drawing Drawing !!

This Is Where The Real Magic Happens..

I leave the image attached with a paperclip to my sketch pad. I will now be referencing it for shading purposes. I want to gently or rather basically shade in some details to bring the image to life. I am going to try my best to keep the overall feel of the piece a messy one. I don't want to loose his disheveled look by over doing it with the pencil shading. I want to add just enough to give the art depth and interest.. that's it.

I go for my 5B pencil and start layering in the details I want to highlight. I keep my fingers close at hand (haha) because I will be using them to blend the graphite with. I will occasionally wipe my finger of excess powder in order not to smear too much graphite around. If I do make a mistake or something I don't like, I simply erase it!

Below I start working on the basic shading of the face, chair and background. This is the point that I notice that his eyes are a bit wacky. They seem to be bugging out of his face. I work on that as I go in hopes of toning them down a little. I don't want him looking surprised.. alive, yes.. high on drug, no.

I will turn more of my focus to the chair and books there in the background. I don't want to apply too much emphasis on those things, but keep the idea that they are there. I think that I managed to do just that. Albert's eyes are looking a lot better too. For the thrill of it, I added in some of the wrinkles I could see on the original picture.

To finish things up, I add a few details into the chair, refine the books in the background, darken up a few of the shadows, and soften up the edges. I have to stop myself at some point, otherwise I will keep going and add more and more pencil shading. I fear the true essence of what the drawing is about will be lost if I continue down that path. In otherwords, I Will Loose My GENIUS! HAhahaha...

Finished!! ..

I just put another one in the books.. literally in my sketchbook. hehe. If I am predictable, which I think I am, bellow you will see a nice cropped version of the art piece, a framed version and a summery photo of the whole process.

The original subject photo and my finished drawing..

Below Are Some Of My Most Recent Blind Contours ..

That's it for today's drawing. If you thought this one was cool, you can view more about some other blind contours by following the links below each picture. They are drawings that I have blogged about in the past. Possibly worth a look.

Mangled Wrangler

Odo

Expression of Cabernet

Nadi

Blind Folded Rolls

Chuck

Six Bottles Of Beer

Pepperdoodle

Smoking Lady

The Man In The Shadows

Dobby The House Elf

My Blue Guitar

Blind Wine

Thank you for swinging by my blog and checking out the post. Have a great day!

All words, pictures and art pieces are the sole property of B D Miller Gallery, unless otherwise noted and credited, and are not to be reproduced or copied without the prior written consent of B D Miller Gallery.

About Me ~ The Artist

My art work incorporates a wide variety of subject matter, including landscape, seascape, cityscape, and still life images. My works are the product of a continuing process of exploration through which I seek to portray personal and visionary interpretations of my surroundings. My paintings are impressions of places and events from everyday life, an interpretation of my imagination, and personal responses to what I see and feel on a daily basis. More recently I have invested generous amounts of time into my landscape painting. I am surrounded by natural and man made beauty, which inherently presents itself in the tri-state area, and almost demands that I paint it.

Not everything is art. Art is not everything, but it comes close. Art is everywhere and all the time. Art makes you experience the beauty of the world, the people in it, and the places we call home. Art itself is so influential that it can tell stories, show feelings, and express passion or fury. Art exists in addition to language; expression of sensations and thoughts, revealing a way of thinking too subtle and delicate for words.

For me art requires love, honesty and perseverance. In return, it reveals some personal, non-analyzable, and creative untamed passion. For the public, art with its magnificent beauty, improves mood and health and builds better human beings and communities. It engages the intellect, softens the heart, strengthens the soul and frees the spirit.

If Your Interested In Purchasing Any Of My Work:

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If you don't see the piece in either shop, It may still be drying. Let me know and I can upload it as soon as possible to be available. Or you can always make me an offer (in SBD or STEEM) in the comments section of this post. If we agree on a price, I will then ship the painting to you. (shipping costs will be determined by your location).

“It is amazing how much love and laughter they bring into our lives and even how much closer we become with each other because of them.” – John Grogan