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In school, I thought that I had everything figured out. Drawing has always come naturally to me. I have always done it, done it well, and been appreciated for it by those who ask me to perform. I had no idea that there was so much more to a good portrait than simply slapping a face on paper or canvas. I learned that a number of techniques used often can enhance the artist's skill, thereby enhancing how the subject receives their picture.
Blind drawing was the most difficult for me to grasp. To perform a true "Full Blind" drawing, one must have a subject with at least a semi-complex nature, no perfect orbs or cubes, a peaceful area to draw without interruption. Buy large sized paper, best 2x4 or equivalent, something cheap. Get some tape and fix the paper to your desk. Next, tape a second page over the first, but only at the top. Now, with a pencil or pen, and looking only at your subject, place your drawing hand beneath the top page so you can't see it, and look at your subject. Pick a good starting point, and start a single line-do not lift your pencil or pen-and describe every minute detail.

How frustrating is that? I know. Now look at your work. Does it seem anything like your subject? Unless you've got an engraver's brain, probably not. What you've gained is perspective into the substance of the object, and a better idea of how your eye-brain interprets the image. Keep doing this on more complex subjects, but never expect your drawings to look much like the items. Get a friend and draw them, or just stare at your hand or foot and draw that to get a sample of living art.
Now, try your hand at "Half-Blind" drawings (no pun intended). With the same set up as before, begin to trace the subject, but stop every so often and look at your work. You'll start to discover the ability to guide your hand in a direction more befitting your intention. Do many of these, and try to have family or friends model whenver possible. If you can't get anyone you know, it's time to take the act on the road. Go to a coffee shop, pick an unsuspecting victim, and capture them as best you can. You may get noticed, but so what? That's what you want, remember?
With a heavier pencil, like a 6B or 8B, or a black, double-sided Tomba pen, and a tan eraser, take the same objects you've been drawing and capture only positive and negative space. With the pencil, blacken the entire page you're using. Once it's very, very dark, take your tan, crumbly eraser (and NOTHING

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