Party goers do “blind contour drawings” of the celebrant(s) (no worries about skill level). These drawings are then attached together to make a “quilt” co the celebrant(s)
How Many Participants s
1 to 100 (at a larger party, several quilts can be made)
Equipment
Blank paper, pens and optional coloring supplies
The Set Up
- Hand out paper and a writing utensil to each participants and ask them to find a place where they can see and draw the celebrant(s).
- Provide tables, clipboards, or another hard surface to draw on.
- Describe Blind Contour Drawing: “Blind Contour Drawing is a drawing exercise, where participants draw the contour of a subject without looking at the paper.”
The Play
- The celebrant takes a pose that they can hold for 2 to 5 minutes (it can be timed)
- Party goers look at the celebrant, put their pen on the paper and allow it to move with their gaze in a continuous line (without lifting the pen or looking at the paper.). Folks can choose focus only on the face and features, draw the whole scene or anything in-between.
- The idea is to honor the celebrant while having fun. “Artist” attempt to draw slowly AND also boldly without worry about the outcome. Even the most “abstract” drawings will hold a touch of the essence of the celebrant. These drawings will end up somewhere between a stick figures and a Rembrandt: all welcome and the variety a joy.
- Optionally, when the drawing are done artist are invited to
- Augment you blind drawing with some color details using color pencils, crayons, or watercolors (watercolor will need “multi-media paper”)
- Write a wish or hope, an affirmation, a favorite quote or a short memory to the page.
Thoughts and Alternatives
- Key to this activity: is for party-goers to understand that this is not about drawing ability, but rather about being present and connected with the celebrant for a few minutes.
- If the celebrant is willing they can give participants several different poses and participants can draw 2 or more images and choose one for “the quilt”.
- To create more decorative “quilt” back each drawing/ with a color sheet of paper (9” x 12”, the common size of construction paper)
- This activity can be done by simply drawing, in the typical way, looking at the celebrant/then the paper (with pencil and eraser). Whatever is the most fun – both will bring a little laughter.
