Life Without Outlines
Examining the Edge
The Value in Edges
-There are NO OUTLINES in nature… only
EDGES created by changes in color and value.
*Always examine
the edge between
each value in a
composition
Your goal:
Draw objects
to look
so real
that you
could
lift them
out of the
composition
The “Crisp” Factor
• Edges between
objects or
objects and their
backgrounds are
crisp
• The EDGE is
where one value
ends and
another value
begins
“How many outlines?”
“But Mrs. Williams, how do I replace
outlines with edges????”
Tips for success
Draw your contours
LIGHTLY!
LOOK first to find the
differences between the
values.
Shade in from the edge
until the outline
disappears
Outlines vs. Edges
The Difference between and edge and an
outline….
• An edge is the same
value as the object
• An outline is always
darker than the
object (or space)
Background vs. Silverware….crisp edges!
Background Factor
An interesting
background
has several
different
values.
This technique
adds contrast
to any
composition
which the
creates unity.