Contour Drawing

WHAT IS CONTOUR LINE?

A contour is the line which defines a form or edge - an outline. Contour drawing is the place where most beginners start, following the visible edges of a shape. The contour describes the outermost edges of a form, as well as dramatic changes of plane within the form.  Put simply, a contour line drawing is an "outline drawing," that uses no shading.  

A contour drawing is done when the artist looks intently at the EDGES of an object, but rarely looks at the paper while the pencil moves.  The goal of contour drawing is to make a line that is authentic and true to what you are actually seeing, and to train your hand to copy your eye's movement.

There are several different types of contour line drawings:

Why Do we do these?

It is a classic drawing exercise to:
  • capture the edges and details that we often overlook. 
  • develop good hand-eye coordination which is key when learning to draw.  With regular practice, contour drawing exercises will help train your hand to follow your eye's movements.
  • develop the right brain (creative side!) muscles, help it become more assertive and aware of the observable.
  • balance the left brain's tendency to standardize, generalize, and simplify everything, which creates stereotypical ways of seeing and drawing.

HOW TO DO IT:

  • Look at the object!  While you draw, look at the object 90% of the time (100% of the time if doing a BLIND contour).  Look only at your paper when you are ready to make a new line on your paper and you are checking where to place it.  Concentrate on practicing your hand-eye coordination instead of worrying about the look of your drawing.
  • One continuous long line.  do not lift the marker off the paper unless you go off the edge of the paper and hit the table or come to an absolute dead end.  Whenever several lines meet, simple choose a direction and reconnect those lines later.
  • Go as slowly as a snail.  Draw slowly.  If it helps, close one eye while you draw.
  • Detail, detail, detail!  Capture edges only, but capture as much information as you can!  Capture every nook and cranny on paper. Each and every edge, crack, line, wrinkly, etc. that is possible to SEE.
  • Work as close to life size as your sketchbook or paper will allow.
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YOUR ASSIGNMENTS:

1. CONTINUOUS CONTOUR
Your Face Using a Mirror - You can look at the paper and the mirror to draw your face, but you will only draw one continuous line. Do not pick up your pen or marker until you are done.


​​2. BLIND CONTOUR
Your Face Using a Mirror - You will only look at the mirror. You will not look at the paper. You can pick up your pen or marker, but you should do everything possible to not look at the paper.







​3. MODIFIED CONTOUR
Your Face Using a Mirror - You can look at your paper. You can pick up your pen. You should try to draw an accurate representation of you. Do not shade.






4. Vase Face Drawing







5. Monster Vase Face Drawing






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6. UPSIDE DOWN CONTOUR drawing exercise






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7. MODIFIED CONTOUR of hand holding scissors




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8. Cross Contour Hand Holding Scissors












9. MODIFIED CONTOUR Still Life - 8 Images of your choosing