Contour drawing

Contour- a line which defines an edge of shape. No shading!

Types of contour

Blind Contour

Look at the object and do not look at the paper. Do not take your pencil off the paper.

Why do we do this? to help us draw better, by drawing what we see instead of what we think we see. We are training ourselves to look at what we are drawing!

Continuous Contour

These are done without taking your pencil off the paper. You can do them blind or look at the paper every once in a while. do not look at the paper more than 10% of the time.

Modified and cross Contour

These are modified contour drawings where you can take your pencil off the paper, still only looking at the paper 10 % of the time. No shading is allowed but darker values may be indicated by more lines or applying more pressure to create darker lines. Cross contours indicate the shape of a rounded object but following the contours (Not just edges) with many lines to show shape, much like a topographical map which shows elevation. (see the apple and bananas)

Assignments:

SM1 Cut out your best blind and continuous contour drawings and glue into your sketchbook Label