blind contour portraits
what is a blind contour portrait?
Drawn ‘blindly’ without looking down at the paper, this unique style of portrait uses one continuous line to trace the contours of the subject’s face.
the process
I start by taking a good look at the person sitting in front of me. After choosing a feature to begin with, I place my pen to the paper and begin. My eyes remain fixed on the subject as I trace the contours of their face without lifting the pen from the paper.
The process is short (about 3 minutes) and sweet (a present and connected experience). The end result is a unique, organic portrait that aims to capture the essence of the person I’m sitting with.
the results
whimsical, abstract, and expressive linework that celebrates imperfection and captures the essence of each subject in a truly unique way
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“Allison Kunath SEES you. While steadily holding your gaze she traces your angles, contours, shapes, and, light. It’s a joy to be seen in this way and a delight to discover what she has created when she finally lifts her pen. I treasure my Allison Kunath blind contour portraits more than any photograph or painting that has been made of me.”
- Alua A.
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"It is truly bizarre and magical to experience someone capture your essence with simply a few squiggles and deep concentration."
- Jessey W.
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"There is something so tender and vulnerable to have someone pay such close attention to every detail that makes you, you."
- Marci M.
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“I felt witnessed and appreciated. It’s intimate in the sense that there's vulnerability between the artist and the subject. There’s fun in it too, because neither person knows how it's going to turn out. It’s a few minutes journey that we go on together, and the destination is a surprise.”
- David L.
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"My time sitting with Allison was serene, it was at once satisfying to see the image come together from her hands, and offered me a chance to breathe and connect with myself, surrendering and allowing myself to be perceived."
- Maceo K.
unique offerings
live event portrait experiences and personalized individual sittings
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Capture your day with a one of a kind Blind Contour Guest Book, and send your friends and family home with a frame-worthy gift.
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Elevate your next off-site event with an art experience that sparks connection and leaves team members with a one-of-a-kind keepsake.
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Blind Contour drawing is fun, easy to learn and a great bonding activity for all ages. No previous art experience necessary.
live events
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Live sittings are available via zoom. Each portrait takes between 3-5 minutes to draw.
If you’re ordering a portrait of a pet, or as a surprise, I’ll work off of reference photos and videos provided by you. I’ll follow the same process and achieve the similar results as an in-person sitting.
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Visit my studio in Ventura, California for a unique and intimate portrait session.
Each portrait takes between 3-5 minutes to draw, but plan for an hour so we have time to settle In a bit before beginning.
Most convenient for Southern California / Ventura / Ojai / Santa Barbara / Los Angeles residents
individual portraits
portrait options
a variety of portrait delivery options for individual portraits & live events
individual portraits
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Your choice: a live sitting in my studio in Ventura, CA or a remote sitting via zoom
(Ordering as a surprise gift? I’m happy to work from photo references.)
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High resolution digital scan
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Ink on 9×12” archival paper
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Ink on 9×12” archival paper
Presented in a beautiful custom oak frame -
Your portrait integrated into a custom email signature and business card design
live events
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Your guests leave with their custom 5×7” portrait on archival paper
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Original portraits are drawn in one 7×11” leather bound sketchbook for the host to keep.
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High resolution scans of each guests’ portrait
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High resolution scans of your guests’ portraits are printed on custom thank you cards for you to send out after your event
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Combines high-resolution scans of your guests' portraits, professional photography capturing the live drawing process, and elegant headshot-style photos of each person drawn. Optional: add select images captured by your event photographer.
a single line can say so much
