Lesson 4 - Contour Line

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In drawing, a contour is an edge as you perceive it. An edge (contour) is the place where two things meet. For example, while drawing your hand, the place where the air (or background, negative space) meets the surface of your hand, the place where a fingernail meets the surrounding skin, the place where a wrinkle is formed, are all edges or contours. As a method, blind contour drawing (otherwise known as pure contour), entails a very intense, detailed observation as you draw the edges of a form without looking at the drawing. Your eyes are on the subject only. This process should be done in one long continuous line to mimic the way that the eye works. This takes quite a bit of practice because we have been taught to constantly look at the paper as we draw. This was an effective "warm-up" tool for Leonardo da Vinci and other Renaissance artists.

Before you begin, please watch the video at the right, demonstrating how to draw a hand with contour line.

More Examples of Contour Drawings

Assignment: Contour Line

EXERCISE 1

Need: nose, an object. Time: at least 1 minute apiece. Use the tip of your nose as the pencil and move your eye along the contours of an object. Your whole head should move with this exercise. To help myself slow down, I like to think of my eyes as an ant, slowly moving across each edge. Repeat this on different objects at least 4 times.

EXERCISE 2

Need: large paper bag, paper, marker, and a plant. Time: at least 2 minutes apiece. Put your paper inside the paper bag so you won't be tempted to look at your drawing. Start out with drawing a small part of the plant that is simple, such as a leaf or a flower. As you advance, try clusters of leaves, etc. Keeping your eyes on the object, you're going to slowly draw the object...every detail. Is the surface curved? If it is, your line should reflect that. Is the surface bumpy? Is there a small tear in the leaf? Your eyes should move at the same rate as your hand. I'd like you to try this with 2 different objects, five times apiece. Remember to NOT pick up your marker. Each drawing should be done with a single line.

EXERCISE 3

Need: a piece of string at least three yards long, marker, and paper. Time: at least 5 minutes apiece. Wrap your hand loosely with the string, starting a couple of inches below your wrist. For this exercise you will be following the path of the string with your eyes, while the marker transfers it to paper. Focus on keeping your eyes on your hand. NO PEEKING :) The string should help emphasize contours...such as the flatness of the inside of your wrist, or the crevices and valleys of your palm . Where the string disappears, you'll need to find a contour to get to the next length of string. REMEMBER, SLOW!! Try different hand positions but start with your hand flat, palm facing you. Do at least 5 different hand positions. Remember to NOT pick up your marker. Each drawing should be done with a single line.

EXERCISE 4

Need: marker, paper, object to be held in hand. Time: at least 10 minutes apiece. You're going to draw your hand holding an object (soda can, rose, pencil, etc.). Deep breath, take it slow, you can peek 5% of the time. I'd like you to try at least 3 of these. Remember to NOT pick up your marker. Each drawing should be done with a single line.

When making a blind contour drawing, the eye is not watching the hand as it draws on the paper. Contour drawing is an excellent way to train the eye to draw what it really sees rather than what it thinks it sees. The first contour drawings you do will be a little funny looking but that is completely normal. However, with practice, you will find that you will be able to accurately record an image on paper without looking at your hand as it draws!

You will be graded on a 1-6 scale on the following:

• Done with one continuous line
• Line not sketchy
• Line follows contours

TURNING WORK IN? Select 1 or 2 drawings from each exercise (for a total of 4 - 8). Label them with the name of the lesson, a small description of the assignment, and number them in the order you did them. For example, "lesson 4, contour line, exercise 2, #1of 6."

You may scan your work, use a digital camera, or use snail mail (send to the address on the contact page). Use the assignment link below to upload your files; if you're sending your work by snail mail, use the assignment link below to tell me WHEN you sent it. (If you're not sure how to upload or send files by snail mail, review the Procedures page.)

Submit your work here.

Excellent examples will be posted with permission of the artist.

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