Contour Lines
• Contour: the outline of a shape or form
– 19th Century Drawing by Kasushika Hokusai
Contour lines
• One of the first things we draw
• Our brains are “programmed” to see edges
and lines:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nwpU7G
FYe8&feature=related
Contour Lines
• Contour lines can be outside or inside an
object and help define the shape.
Contour lines
• Help an object look more realistic.
Drawing with contour lines
• First trace the outside.
Drawing with contour lines
• Then add the inside lines.
Contour lines show depth.
• Cartographers (map drawers) use contour
lines to show elevation.
Blind contour drawings
• A technique sometimes used by artists that
gets interesting and unexpected results.
Examples of contour lines
Henrich Kley, 1923
Examples of contour lines: Calder