CONTOUR LINE DRAWING

CONTOUR LINE Definition

•     Contour means "outline", and presents exterior edges of objects. A plain contour has a clean, connected line, no shading and emphasizes an open "shell" of the subject. More complex contours can imply shading values through interior outlines (top right), may have line textures or be contrasted with mixed media. Pencil drawing, ball point pen and black markers are good practice tools.

Which drawing is a contour line drawing?

PROJECT

You will be creating a contour line drawing of a snarling animal. After this drawing is finished, you will add drawn “wrappings” around the animal to show volume and shape.

You will add india ink, colored pencil, and permanent marker to finish. Your finished work will look something like this:

DO NOT PANIC!!!

• We are going to do this together, step by step.

• I will help you every step of the way.

• We will move at a slow, but steady pace.

• YOU CAN 100% DO IT!!!

STEP ONE

• During the remainder of class today draw at least two contour line drawings of your hands. This will give you a feel for what it is like to only look for lines when drawing.

• HOMEWORK: Bring in a picture (photocopy/book/magazine) of a snarling animal face. Your picture should be at least index card sized.

STEP TWO

• Draw a contour line drawing of your snarling animal’s face. This face should take up most of the sheet of paper that you are given.