Blind Contour Self-Portraits
Mix-Media Illustrations ● September - November 2025 ● Artist
This collection of Blind Contour Self-Portraits was created in the course, Solo Studio at the University of Texas at Austin, and uses blind contour drawings to create unbiased reflections of myself. Each piece was created using different mediums to showcase my versatility as a multimedia artist.
Documentation
Each piece started as a graphite blind contour drawing, each one uniquely different. The sketches were then either scanned into Procreate for digital work or lightly erased to leave a faint outline, preparing them for coloring with traditional mediums.
The second general step was to lay down the base colors on top of the blind contour sketch. From left to right the mediums used are colored pencil, digital media, and alcohol markers. The difference between the pieces in this stage are stark due to a few constraints. The digital one was made first earlier in the semester, and to maintain a cohseive look, I chose to use the same color palette across all three works. However, I did not have the accurate colors in pencil and marker form, so the colors were edited and or added digitally in the next steps.
The next few steps applied only to the colored pencil and alcohol marker portraits. After scanning the illustrations and importing them into Procreate, I added solid color layers and adjusted the brightness and hue to better match the digital piece. These layers were kept slightly translucent to preserve the original textures and shading of the traditional media. When refining the details, I selected digital brushes that mimicked the natural strokes of pencil and marker. For example, I used a pencil brush to create the background of the colored pencil version, making visible strokes to resemble traditional graphite work.
The lines from the original graphite sketches were reinforced through digital tracing, preserving their original form and movement. For the color pencil and marker portraits, this lineart also kept them consistent with the style of the digital piece. Final touches included adding organic shapes to the background and adding the hair strand sticking out at the top.
Reflection
This project was an exploration of self-perception and multimedia techniques. One of the most successful aspects was how the blind contour process captured unfiltered expressions of myself, resulting in drawings that feel honest and distinctive. The variety of mediums allowed me to experiment with texture, color, and digital integration, highlighting my skills as a multimedia artist.
Some areas could be further developed with additional time. Achieving color matches across traditional and digital mediums required multiple adjustments, which offered insight into how different materials interact and how digital tools can enhance traditional work. However, this process took a long time, and I wasn't able to produce more traditional pieces. I wanted to also experiment with gouache paint and pastels if given more time. If I were to approach the project again, I would consider creating the traditional pieces first. Color matching is easier digitally since almost all colors are available. I still gained a deeper understanding of maintaining cohesion across a series while preserving the unique qualities of each medium.
This project reinforced key skills relevant to my career as an artist, including observational drawings and color theory. Additionally, it strengthened my abilities in experimentation and problem-solving, which are essential for exploring new techniques and collaborating across different projects.
Overall, this project deepened my understanding of how different mediums and techniques influence the visual consistency of a series, and it helped me understand how to integrate multiple approaches into a cohesive artistic vision.
Original Prototype
