Why I draw with my eyes shut: How to Draw #6

In this tutorial, we'll try drawing a "feelie." That's a self-portrait drawn with your eyes shut. It's a powerful lesson to develop the connections between your brain and your drawing hand that's fun and kind of miraculous.
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[@Mousyfox]

Back in the 1960's I was a member of the local Church. We had pantomimes and Beetle Drives and Christmas Parties. It was great fun being a part of it. Sadly all that came to an end in the seventies. One thing I do remember is a Christmas Party Game we played that I've never played since. We were all given a sheet of paper and a crayon. The lights were turned out and the room was in total darkness. The person leading the game then narrated a story and told us to draw the things in the story as they were described. It was about landing on the moon. The surface of the moon was described with it's craters and rocks, which we had to draw, and then the rocket landing, and the spacemen getting out and wandering about on the surface. Moon men were also described and you had to add those to your drawing. It was hilarious to say the least. and the resulting drawings were very laughable with the exception of one. He was an amateur artist and his full time job was a draughtsman. He also cheated because he used his cigarette to see his paper. But it was one of the most memorable parties I ever went to. Drawing blind just reminded me of that night. I think it would be a great idea to do from a podcast if people want to try it with their lights out at home in the dark whilst listening. Maybe someone will try it out?

[@michelle.tuv.nguyen]

i'm learning to draw and paint as a way to heal trauma so i'm very happy to have found your channel! i'm 26 and hoping i can consistently use art as lifelong therapy

[@siwa242]

I'm here for the exact same reason and I love it how he explains things and how drawing suddenly becomes so easy when you watch these videos.

[@ladycavalier]

That's actually a pretty darn efficient tactic

[@IcsulX]

O M G. This was so fun, and it turned out amazing. It's basically a discount Picasso.

[@user-gt8oj1bc2z]

looks Picasso -ish. Kinda surreal. I' have to try this this evening at home.

[@vandannadale2689]

“Isn’t that cool?!” Yes! Very! What a great lesson, especially when applied to further practice, absorbing the idea, and -hopefully-allowing it to become part of your mode! Loving this series!✌🏼

[@michellecohron3425]

I was terrified to do this, but it was AMAZING! Try it!

[@sc1nt1ll4]

This series is so useful! I love this exercise and it was very fun to discover what I drew with eyes closed. Thank you for letting me leave all the rigidity of perfectionism and have fun❤

[@Liveforfilms]

I’m so glad I found your channel. Really been enjoying the lessons and how it takes things back to basics and then builds on that. I’ve not drawn in such a long time but this is bringing the joy back and I’m learning new things. Thank you so much.

[@Alexandra-zu8qw]

I haven't laughed so much in a while, thanks for that great idea! And all my next abstract paintings will totally be made blind!

[@iwqmaster]

Love this series

[@jmk1962]

Who knew drawing could be so much fun.😊

[@gch582]

Love this series! Thank you! This was also a fun exercise! Looking forward to our next drawing exercise.

[@murieltillman9554]

This was fun! I love your channel!

[@kristinstewart5556]

I love this!!!!! Did it one other time on one of your other videos! Great learning.

[@leahferrell3110]

So cool! It is magical!

[@M.R_M7]

Great to be here

[@MrTubber44]

Dig the background lighting, nice prod. quality👍🏾🥰

[@annelise8014]

An absolute blast - mine could have been done by Picasso - tee hee! Plan to do many, many times.

[@hampusheh]

I got an interesting result! Pretty cool

[@rosemaryabbott2241]

Hey Danny. I appreciate your teaching style so much! I am doing one of your videos everyday and then practicing those lessons. I am already gaining confidence. Thank you for doing this. ❤️

[@SketchBookSkool]

Sounds great!

[@lacdescygnes1]

Thank you for this great moment ! The face on the paper is looking familiar but strange !

[@lenepedersen5506]

The drawing looks like Matisse? I can't wait to do this exercise 🖋

[@user-gb6cg3bk9h]

I really enjoyed this exercise. I don’t understand how, but mine actually does look like me! Thank you so much for these videos. I decided I wanted to learn to draw very recently, at the age of 32. Mainly because I am interested in jewellery design & industrial design, so I figured I should at least know how to sketch. A couple of days later I discovered your channel, and within a few days of that you started this series. So I really feel that I am meant to be here with you on this journey. I have gone from believing “I cannot draw”, to “I absolutely CAN draw”, and all because of this series.

[@sylvainst-pierre8725]

This was a super exercise. The drawing ended up looking like my ex mother in law (scary) but i had tons of fun doing it and i got a good inner feeling when doing it. Got in touch with myself. Thank you sir.

[@michellebrown9090]

This was a fun lesson!

[@elenagandini387]

Thank you...grazie mille!

[@Katb105]

What an incredibly cool exercise! Love the way this has you connect to yourself. ✨🎨🧠 #FeelyFan

[@tamarajanerikiti91]

Wow. Apart from my eyes to far apart., the rest certainly looks familiar. Must keep practicing.

[@jlb1487]

So cool 😊

[@brendadoyle643]

I Like this exercise! Fun to do. Thanks

[@SketchBookSkool]

Glad you like it!

[@theresapalmer7892]

This was awesome, it looks like a face only because I knew what I was tracing I'll do this a few more times. I want to slow down more.

[@jlm517rocks]

very cool exercise... can't see a similarity, but the Braille quality does feel 'right'.

[@4rthur1m68]

This was the most fun o had drawing with a "tutorial", and it kinda looks good XD

[@SketchBookSkool]

Awesome! Do another....

[@wildsheepc]

Mine reminds me a bit of the mobile at the Met! 😆 Hanging by a single line, kind of off balance, but motion is implied.

[@SketchBookSkool]

I love Calder!

[@mercurysbest]

Omg lol Picasso esk 😂😮

[@AlejandroFredes]

Superfun lesson! Mine looks like my father 😂

[@isabelmartin40]

I will do it first thing Tomorrow morning.❤ It’s my homework☺️Thank U!

[@SketchBookSkool]

You got this!

[@kathyhackney7950]

Both sides of my face ended up on the same side lol

[@ibelf2465]

So if a person totally flunks this is that a big indicator that drawing just isn’t your thing? Mine does not resemble a face lol. I won’t give up here just in case. Thank you for sharing your Time, knowledge & your talents!

[@SketchBookSkool]

Flunk? No! You just need to work through the tutorials Im posting. Be patient and stick to it.

[@katherineroumiah8428]

♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@annejansen428]

That was more fun than I expected, with a discernible face, even if I wouldn’t recognize it as my own! It was pretty cool to feel the synergy between my fingers, so I even drew a second one. I’m so glad I tried this crazy idea

[@SketchBookSkool]

Me too!

[@messengerofgoodnews]

What pen did you use?

[@SketchBookSkool]

A uniball pen. Pretty basic.

[@messengerofgoodnews]

@SketchBookSkool Gotcha. Thin? Like a .05? My fav pen is the Pilot G2 1.0. I just have to have patience with the slow dry/smudging. JajaThanks!

[@pragativasisht4432]

omg i had so much fun but it doesn't look ANYTHING like anything coherent, let alone face! still going to share it on Insta though!

[@My_Secret_ArtSketchbook]

Its okay mate people with degrees get married to the wrong giy with their eyes shut.

[@SketchBookSkool]

Uh yeah.

[@lorrainesaliba5469]

Hi Danny ! This was such fun to do although somehow I came to look like Oliver Hardy 🫣🤣🤣🤣 It’s hilarious !! I would definitely do it many more times and will never be bored for sure !! Thanks for your time and for sharing your invaluable knowledge with us ! Wish you and lovely JJ and little Twiglet the best for Christmas and New Year ! Looking forward to our next lesson !! 🔖🤗⛄️ Lorraine