DRAWING (1): 3 Part Object Drawing
NAME:______________________
LESSON FOCUS:
This lesson focuses on creating three drawings of one object using contour line, crosscontour lines and shading techniques.
VOCABULARY:
Contour drawing: Drawing the edges, or contours, of figures or objects.
Cross-contour: Line that runs across the form or around it to show its volume or to give
it depth. This kind of line creates the illusion of a third dimension, depth, in addition to
width and height.
Gradation: Principle of art that combines elements in a work of art by using a series of
gradual changes.
Highlights: Areas on a surface that reflect the most light. In a drawing, these areas are
shown by light values to create the illusion of depth.
Line: Element of art that is a continuous mark made on a surface by a pointed instrument.
Pencil: Drawing and writing tool that consists of a slender, cylindrical casing around a
marking substance.
Shading: The use of light and shadow to give a feeling of depth.
Value: Element of art that refers to light and dark areas. Value depends on how much
light a surface reflects.
Value gradation: Gradual changes from dark to light areas to create the illusion of three
dimensions on a two-dimensional surface.
PROCEDURE:
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Choose an object to draw. It should be interesting enough to hold your attention
for three drawings.
On a 9”x 12” piece of manila sketch paper, draw your object. Be sure to make it
large enough to fill the space well.
Once your sketch is approved, trace your object onto three pieces of 9”x 12”
white drawing paper lightly in pencil.
Contour Line Drawing:
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Trace over your pencil lines with a black permanent marker and let dry.
You may use thick and thin lines to show weight and/or importance.
Erase unwanted pencil marks.
Cross-Contour Drawing:
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Using your second contour line drawing, begin to add cross-contour lines.
o You may put them as close together or as far apart as you wish.
o The spacing of these lines can be used to create different values. For
darker values, draw the lines closer together.
After you have roughed in the cross-contour lines in pencil, darken them with a
permanent black marker.
o Be sure to darken ONLY the cross-contours and don’t forget to include the
details.
After you have inked all the cross-contours, erase all of the pencil lines.
o The cross-contour lines should be spaced closely enough to define the
form, making an outline unnecessary.
Value Drawing:
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Using your second contour line drawing, begin to shade the object using a variety
of drawing pencils.
Work gradually from light to dark.
Be sure to notice the two kinds of shadows: form shadows and cast shadows.
Form shadows are the shadows on the side of forms away from the light source.
o Forms shadows on curved surfaces have soft or fuzzy edges. This is
because a curved form turns gradually away from the light. The shadows
of angular forms are sharp at the edges because these forms turn abruptly
away from the light.
Cast shadows are the shadows cast by shames onto other surfaces.
o They have hard, distinct edges unless the surfaces are rough or fuzzy.
Your drawing will be considered finished when you have used a full range of
values and your object looks three-dimensional.
MATERIALS:
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Object to draw
9”x 12” manila sketch paper
3 pieces of 9”x 12” white drawing paper
Assorted drawing pencils
Erasers
Black permanent marker
Contour Line Drawing:
Cross-Contour Line Drawing:
Value Drawing: