CONTOUR L I N E D R AW I N G :

T R A IN ING YOU R E YE T O SE E
A contour line differs Concentration, careful Purpose:
from an outline. A con- observation and slow The aim of these exer-
tour line describes coordinated move- cises is to cause your
brain’s language
three-dimensional ment of your eye and mode to drop out as
form, moving into and hand are essential to
PROCEDURE: across an object to contour line drawing.
you draw by present-
ing it with tasks that
indicate volume. An Your right brain loves seem boring, repeti-
1. You will be complet- outline follows only this slower tempo, tive, and unnecessary.
ing a series of blind con- A second purpose is to
the outer boundaries. noting the ins and
tour line drawings in introduce the first
your sketchbook. Use contour line in outs of the line as you
basic skill of drawing,
your drawings to rec- draw; your left brain the skill of perceiving
 3 hands
ord important shapes gives up contour and edges.
 2 views of your shoe
and forms accurately. lets you play.
 2 portraits (one can
be a self-portrait)

B L I N D C O N T O U R L I N E D R AW I N G
2. You will be complet-
ing a series of modified When you make a looking, but it is still
contour line drawings in blind contour line more vital and true to  You are drawing one
drawing, you look only life than those in long continuous line
your sketchbook.
at the object and not which you work total
 3 hands at your paper while control over your lines.
 2 views of your shoe you are drawing. The
 2 portraits (one can drawing is often
be a self-portrait) skewed and awkward

M O D I F I E D C O N T O U R L I N E D R AW I N G

With a modified con-

tour line drawing you not the paper. When  You’re a drawing
may look at the paper you look at the paper, one long continuous
occasionally to check check for space rela- line with quick
on the location or di- tionships and meas- glances at your pa-
rection of your pencil. urements of parts of per. You should be
Continue to work slow- the whole. looking at the object
ly with most of the fo- at least 90% of the
cus on the object time.
you’re drawing and