Day 2

Today We Will:

Learn about contour lines
Discover our objects

Homework: What you don't finish in class you should finish for homework

Contour Lines

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 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.

Mini Lesson 1
Add to Digital Portfolio Section 3: Investigate

Choose an object to explore as a reference. Study your object. Spend more time looking at it and less time looking at your paper. This is NOT about making a realistic representation of the object, it is about learning more about your object. Try to draw only what you see and not what you think the object should look like.

Create a grid of sketches in your sketchbook exploring the 4 different styles of contour line drawing. Attempt each style one time for a total of 4 contour drawings. If your sketchbook is bigger you may be able to have more attempts per page, if your sketchbook is small you may only have 1 attempt per page, use your best judgment. Label the styles when you finish the work.

1 Blind Contour - No looking at all!

1 Continuous Line Contour (semi blind) - A few looks at your paper is ok but limited

1 Modified Contour - Can look at your paper as much as you want but never looking and drawing on paper at the same time

1 Cross-contour - Can look and make edits as needed

*remember to document your work to add to your digital portfolio page