Contour Line

Contour LineA line that creates boundaries that separates one area from another. They define the edges and surface ridges of objects and figures.

Contour line drawings are like coloring book pagesNo Value (light and dark

shadows and highlights)

No Textures (the implied look of a touchable feeing something may have)

Just the CONTOUR EDGES of shapes, colors, textures and values!

Blind Contour Drawings: Drawings where the artists only looks at the object and slowly draws what he or she sees!

This student has a blinder up to make sure she doesn’t peek at her paper

Blind contour drawings will help you to focus on the details of the object you are drawing.

You are training your eye to look more closely!

INVESTIGATE!

A blind contour drawing is drawn the same way as a contour drawing except you…

CANT LOOK AT YOUR DRAWING UNTIL YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY DONE!

When you make a contour drawing you draw only the…

..shapes and edges of the color changes, surface edges and value/texture changes.

There is no…..

VALUE!!

TO BEGIN:

Choose an interesting object do draw.

Objects with lots of edges are the most fun

Smooth objects are not good

Set up a screen

Large binder or books work well, or a box lid.

You should tape the paper down to keep it from moving

Place your object on one side of the screen and your paper or sketchbook on the other side.

Place your drawing material on your paper and don’t lift it up until the drawing is done!Be sure your starting point gives you enough room so you don’t draw off the edge of the paper.

Study the object and draw very slowly

Take a minute or two to just stare at the object. Notice edges and curves.

When you begin drawing where ever your EYE is on the object is exactly what your HAND is drawing.

So make your eyes move as slow as your hand.

You are training your eyes to see and your hand to translate what the eye sees Notice this is ONE continuous line!

So…TAKE YOUR TIME:

These drawing can be tedious and slow but the final drawing is not the reward, its not even supposed to look that good! The reward is the knowledge your hand and eye gained about the object you drew as a result of the exercise.