Line is a key Element of Art. Understanding line is fundamental in creating and understanding artwork.
This video from PBS is an excellent overview of line as it is used in art.
This video from PBS is an excellent overview of line as it is used in art.
Pablo Picasso used a variety of lines in his artwork over the years.
Contour Line:
A contour is the line which defines a form or edge - an outline. Contour drawing is the place where most beginners start, following the visible edges of a shape. The contour describes the outermost edges of a form, as well as dramatic changes of plane within the form. Put simply, a contour line drawing is an "outline drawing," that uses no shading.
A contour drawing is done when the artist looks intently at the EDGES of an object, but rarely looks at the paper while the pencil moves. The goal of contour drawing is to make a line that is authentic and true to what you are actually seeing, and to train your hand to copy your eye's movement.
(From Mrs. Cook's Art Class)
A contour drawing is done when the artist looks intently at the EDGES of an object, but rarely looks at the paper while the pencil moves. The goal of contour drawing is to make a line that is authentic and true to what you are actually seeing, and to train your hand to copy your eye's movement.
(From Mrs. Cook's Art Class)
Eugene and Henry by David Hockney
Roz McQuillan uses a contour line drawing with a fully-rendered drawing to show contrast
Blind Contour:
'Blind contour drawing' is when contour drawing is done without looking at the paper AT ALL.
This helps train you to look more often at your subject than look at your paper. Staring down at your paper while drawing can be a hard habit to break.
(From Mrs. Cook's Art Class)
Blind Contour Drawing by Nicholas Weltyk
This video is a helpful tutorial on How To Do a Blind Contour Drawing.
Continuous Contour:
"Continuous line contour drawing' is a contour drawing done without picking your pencil off of the paper. It is essentially done with one long line. Continuous line contour drawings can be done 100% "blind" or not.
(From Mrs. Cook's Art Class)
(From Mrs. Cook's Art Class)
Cross-Contour:
Cross contour lines are drawn lines which travel, as the name suggests, across the form. Cross contours follow the form of the surface area- using curved lines over curving or spherical planes, straight lines across flat surfaces, etc.
(From Mrs. Cook's Art Class)
(From Mrs. Cook's Art Class)
Cross-Contour Line drawing of a hand with a ball
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Cross-Contour Line drawing of a shell
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You might find this video helpful in understanding Cross Contour Lines.
Contour Line Drawing Activities:
Contour line drawings are an essential part of drawing and art classes. These drawings help you stop to capture the edges and the details that we often overlook. These drawings help you practice your hand-eye coordination, an important part of learning to draw.
The left side of your brain has a tendency to simplify and generalize what you see. Practicing drawing in different ways helps to train your hand to follow what your eye actually can see and to strengthen the creative side of your brain!
(From Mrs. Cook's Art Class)
Materials: lots of paper and something to draw with (marker, pencil, or pen)
The left side of your brain has a tendency to simplify and generalize what you see. Practicing drawing in different ways helps to train your hand to follow what your eye actually can see and to strengthen the creative side of your brain!
(From Mrs. Cook's Art Class)
Materials: lots of paper and something to draw with (marker, pencil, or pen)
Blind Contour Drawings- Giraffes
Blind contour drawings are a great way to get your pencil moving! If your brain is feeling stuck- start with a blind contour drawing! Blind contour drawings are also a good way to get your brain thinking about abstraction.
- Pick one of the following images of a giraffe (or find your own).
- Set a timer for 5 minutes.
- Fix your eyes on the outline of the giraffe and start drawing. Do not look at your paper. Look at the giraffe 100% of the time. Slowly and smoothly move your pencil over the paper without looking at your marks (if you are tempted, cover your hand with a shirt or paper). Picture your pencil like a small ant crawling over the edges of the giraffe. Notice and record every detail.
- Repeat this activity three times.
Continuous Contour Line Drawings - Giraffes
For this activity do not pick your pencil up from the paper. If you need to look at the paper, freeze your pencil in place and continue drawing with your eye on the photo.
- Pick one of the following images of a giraffe (or find your own).
- Set a timer for 5 minutes.
- Fix your eyes on the outline of the giraffe and start drawing. Do not look at your paper. Look at the giraffe 100% of the time. Slowly and smoothly move your pencil over the paper without lifting your pencil from the paper. Picture your pencil like a small ant crawling over the edges of the giraffe. Notice and record every detail.
Contour Line Drawings - Giraffes
For this activity you may look at your paper and pick up your pencil as needed. Focus on the edges/outline of the picture. Add the outline of details but avoid shading or adding value.
- Pick one of the following images of a giraffe (or find your own).
- Set a timer for 10 minutes.
- Fix your eyes on the outline of the giraffe and start drawing. Picture your pencil like a small ant crawling over the edges of the giraffe. Notice and record every detail.
Cross-Contour Line Drawings - Giraffes
Cross-Contour Drawings help your brain to see the form of the object. Pretend your pencil is an ant crawling across the picture. Use line to show the form instead of shading or using value. For flat surfaces your pencil will travel across the paper in a straight line, your line will curve or have bumps for surfaces that are bumpy or rounded.
- Pick one of the following images of a giraffe (or find your own).
- Set a timer for 10 minutes.
- Begin by drawing the outline of the giraffe.
- Use lines that travel across the giraffe to show the form of the animal.
Blind Contour Continuous Line Drawings- Giraffes
This activity combines several types of line drawings. For this contour line activity you will draw "blind" by not looking at your paper in addition to not picking your pencil up from the paper.
- Pick one of the following images of a giraffe (or find your own).
- Set a timer for 5 minutes.
- Fix your eyes on the outline of the giraffe and start drawing. Do not look at your paper. Look at the giraffe 100% of the time. Slowly and smoothly move your pencil over the paper without looking at your marks (if you are tempted, cover your hand with a shirt or paper). Picture your pencil like a small ant crawling over the edges of the giraffe. Do not lift your pencil from the paper. Notice and record every detail.
- Repeat this activity three times.
Ideas for Expansion:
-Fill in the space around the drawing with color or pattern
-Combine several of the drawings into
-Trace over the lines with a marker, ink, or paint
-Add value and shading to parts of the drawing
-Add pattern or color to the drawing
-Cut the drawing out and paste or photograph on an alternate background (patterned paper, magazine cut out etc)
-Manipulate the image using a digital drawing app
-Combine several of the drawings into
-Trace over the lines with a marker, ink, or paint
-Add value and shading to parts of the drawing
-Add pattern or color to the drawing
-Cut the drawing out and paste or photograph on an alternate background (patterned paper, magazine cut out etc)
-Manipulate the image using a digital drawing app
Giraffe Reference Photos
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You can download a PDF of these reference photos here:
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The following websites were helpful in creating this guide and provide further resources:
Student Art Guide
Mrs. Cook's Art Class
Student Art Guide
Mrs. Cook's Art Class