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WHAT IS CONTOUR LINE?
A contour is the line which defines a form or edge - an outline. 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 which you will practice in the next lessons: BLIND CONTOUR. CONTINUOUS CONTOUR, MODIFIED CONTOUR, and CROSS CONTOUR.
WHY DO THEM?
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.
Steps:
Steps:
Complete all 4 types of Contour Line Drawing on Each Slide.
Read Intro
Watch Demo Videos
Practice Draw 4 of each on one paper divide paper into half
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