Please sharpen a pencil from the
yellow pencil holder before homeroom
ends. 
Contour
Drawing
There is no one “correct” way to draw. People have always drawn,
doodled, and sketched out ideas. Everyone CAN draw---maybe not
with the skill of a master artist, but everyone can learn to render
images and by practicing can show great improvement. By
learning how to look at objects just a little differently and by
breaking them down into simple shapes, all people can learn to
draw.
Contour Line Video Demonstration
Where have I
heard the word
contour before?
Too often we draw with the left side of the
brain---the logical reasonable side—rather
than with the sensory powers of the right side
of the brain.
People who draw with the left side of the
brain tend to be technique oriented and stiff.
Trust your eyes. Begin by turning the
object around to observe it from all sides.
Feel the edges with your fingers.
•This process should be done in one long
continuous line to mimic the way that the eye
works.
•When doing a contour drawing, you are
improving your eye-hand coordination, an
important skill in both art and athletics.
*Anything that has texture such as hair should be grouped together when
creating a contour drawing. This means all drawn lines should define the
contours of the object instead of trying to simulate texture.
*Use a lighter line to outline highlights and shadows - this will help define
where surfaces curve, bend or change in value and/or color
Things to remember:
• draw slowly and deliberately NOT sketchy
• contour line drawings are made up of only lines, NO
shading
• lines should follow the contours of your still life object(s)
• For added interest you can modify the thickness of the line
- darker lines for major lines, lighter lines for soft implied
edges
• For an extra challenge use a fine tip marker instead of a
pencil
• Contour drawing is a great way to practice and improve
your drawing technique whether you are a beginner or
already a skilled artist
WARNING:
***Don't use your minds
understanding of what the
form is! Use your eyes.
When you finish the
outside contours, you can
draw the inside contours.
Don’t erase…overlap lines!
Egon Schiele
Dr. Ernst Wagner, 1918
1984.3.59
Part I:
Sketchbook
Practice
Shoes
Your First Set of Sketchbook Notes: (AWWWWW!!!)
Please write the following in your sketchbook in the page after your
hand contour drawings. Fill the page, be creative in your note taking.
For homework, include drawing examples and images and creative
lettering
Unit ONE:
The Basics of Drawing: Drawing What I See, Not What I Think I See
Contour drawing illustrate the lines of an object and should
represent much of the detail the object has. Contours are only lines as
opposed to regular drawings that might have shading.
Blind Contour Drawing is like contour drawing, but you don't
look at your paper at all. Your eyes focus on the object you're drawing,
and your pencil moves as your eyes move across the object, usually at
the same speed. Blind contour sketch exercises forces you to
concentrate on the subject matter and its details… and not your
drawing.
Blind
Contour
Sketchbook II
2 Blind Contour
Drawings – Family
Members – 1-2 pages.
Label
Project II: Contour Self-Portrait
1- Create ONE Contour portrait
2 – overlap and fill the space with at least
TWO blind contour self portraits
3 – Complete “colored pencil techniques”
worksheet (will be graded – turn in by
Tuesday 9/17)
4- SEE NEXT SLIDE
Contour Self-Portraits
Requirements:
• One contour drawing of self
• 2 or more blind contour drawings of self, more
if conducive to better composition
• Fill with patterns and techniques….PLAN!!!!
• SEE NEXT SLIDE
Objective: Your final project will visually exemplify
contour drawing skills and knowledge of the Elements
of Design. Hint – in your sketchbook draw a sample of each or on the back of your drawing identify which
quadrant the pattern is located.
IN each shape you created using contour lines, you will create patterns using the Elements of Design:
Pattern Requirements:
LINE
- Pattern of stripes using peaceful and calm lines
- Pattern of stripes using lines that show tension or anger
COLOR
Cool Color Scheme
Warm Color Scheme
Pattern in a Analogous Color Scheme
Pattern in a Complementary Color Scheme
Pattern in a Monochromatic Color scheme
Pattern containing Tint – use white colored pencil overlay
Pattern in a Triadic Color Scheme
SPACE
- Pattern of a realistic object. Color positive space and negative space with high contrast
VALUE/FORM
Color gradient using 2 colors (value scale)
Cross hatching (two colors)
Make the shape look like a 3D Form – ex. bubble using value (3X) – use pencil or dark color
SHAPE
Organic Pattern (organic shape)
Geometric Pattern (geometric shape)
Sketchbook III : Movement and Pattern
Set up your next sketchbook
page like this. Use a ruler,
the boxes should be neat
and uniform.
Referenced Patterns
For the Referenced Patterns, you may
use the “zen art” reference packet or
simply look up patterns on your own.
Original Patterns
Sketchbook III
For the Original Patterns, you must
come up with an interesting pattern
using your knowledge of patterns,
color and creativity.
Color in Colored Pencil Only
Label!
http://www.incredibleart.org/lessons/high/Ken-figure.htm (more lesso
connections.