Contour drawing
• To create a contour drawing we are using
only contour lines.
• Contour lines are lines that describe the
edges and surfaces of objects. This is
one of the most natural ways to draw.
In geography
contour lines
are used to
describe the
topography of a
land mass.
You may be
familiar with
this already.
In art, contour
drawing means
that we simply
draw what we
see with line.
There is no
shading or colour.
Not an outline
Be sure to
understand that
contour drawing is
more than just an
outline.
It is a complete
drawing that records
with line every detail
in the object(s)
being drawn
Types of contours
• There are different types of contour drawings.
Hopefully some of these are familiar to you.
1. Blind contour
2. Slow contour
3. Exaggerated contour
4. Cross contour
Blind contour
Blind contour drawings
are called blind because
while you are drawing
you do not look at your
paper.
You only look at the
subject.
This is a drawing
exercise to have us
practice really looking at
our subject matter, and
recording what we see.
It allows us to really use
our right brain and tune
out the left brain’s
response of symbolizing
an image.
In a blind contour
our pencil never
leaves the page.
We follow a line
describing the image
as we are seeing it,
worrying more about
recording what we
are seeing, our
observation skill and
less about our
drawing skill.
Slow Contour
Once we have
practiced really seeing
our object by drawing
it blind, we can
complete a slow
contour of it.
This means we are
allowed to look at the
page, and use an
eraser, but we should
still be looking at the
subject more than the
paper!
Exaggerated
contour
An exaggerated
contour is a type of
line drawing that
chooses one area to
emphasize or
exaggerate.
It is often used in
illustration, and
cartooning.
Cross contour
Cross contour is a
line drawing that
follows the surface
area. It’s curves and
shapes with
descriptive lines. It
gives a very
interesting effect.
The use of cross
contour within a
finished work of art
can create a very
interesting design.
Abstract cross
contour
We will be making
an abstract cross
contour by following
a very simple set of
rules.
Your assignment
• Unless otherwise specified, all of your work will be
completed on 8.5x11 inch paper. Staple all work together
and remember to put your name on your work! You will
have 5 days to complete this assignment.
• To be completed and passed in….
• Finished note taking handout.
• A blind contour of your hand.
• A slow contour of your hand.
• Use the handout to create an exaggerated contour of a
giant.
• Use the handout to create a cross contour.