Contour Drawing

CONTOUR Drawing the line that defines the outside of a shape or object (and it’s basic details)

Contour drawing A continuous line drawing where the artist draws the interior and exterior contours of the subject. Students keep their eyes on the contours of their subject more than they do on their drawing,

Blind Contour A drawing process where the eye is trained to follow the contours of what is being drawn, looking only at the subject, not at the paper. In this process, the hand moves the drawing tool in synchronization with the movements of the eye. The pencil tip never lifts off the page. It is one continuous line.

If you want to increase your observations skills, try doing some blind contour drawings. Blind contour drawings are done by drawing an object without ever looking at the paper. The final drawing is not important, although you may be surprised at how recognizable the object is when you are done. The most important thing is to carefully observe the object and don't rush, just take your time and don't peek!

Blind contour examples

Blind Contour Create a blind contour drawing of your hand (fill the entire paper) ◦Do not lift the pencil ◦Look at the object only, never the paper ◦Go slow and include details

Review: What is CONTOUR DRAWING again? Drawing the line that defines the outside of a shape or object EDGES

THE LEFT BRAIN (OUR DOMINATE ONE) IS USED EVERY DAY FOR MOST THINGS. LANGUAGE, ANALYTIC THOUGHT. IMPORTANT STUFF LIKE THAT. BUT IT’S THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BRAIN THAT IS USED FOR DRAWING. AND ENGAGING IT IS NOT AS EASY AS IT SOUNDS. WHY CONTOUR DRAWING again?

Drawing the Edges of an object while focusing on the object itself (rather than the drawing) forces slowness and extreme perception of tiny, inconsequential (according to the left brain) details The left hemisphere quickly becomes “fed up” because it is “too slow for words” and drops out, enabling the right hemisphere to take up the task. The point of these drawings is to learn how to access and use the right side of your brain This helps you accurately observe and portray your subject. The left side of our brain is too busy, it's the part we use all the time and it relies on stuff we already know - whether it is correct or not! (and it doesn’t remember everything)

Definition -Pure contour- A drawing process where the eye follows the contours of what is being drawn, looking mostly at the subject, rarely at the paper. In this process, the hand moves the drawing tool in synchronization with the movements of the eye. The pencil tip never lifts off the page. One continuous line.

Pure Contour Create a pure contour drawing of your shoe – it must have laces and details. ◦Do not lift the pencil (single line) ◦Look at the paper only to check proportion and placement ◦Go slow and include details

Definition -Modified contour- In this process, the eye follows the edges of the subject, but the pencil can be lifted to create a closer to realistic drawing. It is still, however, a LINE drawing.

Modified Contour examples

Modified Contour Create a modified contour drawing of a partner in class. Include the face and hair shape, upper body, clothing wrinkles and details, but no facial features. ◦Only lift the pencil when you need too ◦Look at the paper to check proportion and placement ◦Go slow and include details

extension

Blind Contour Assignment Do a blind contour drawing of a partner Outline the drawing with a dark marker Using magazines, fill the entire background with your favorite color Also using magazine letters, spell out two lines to your favorite song and glue on the paper