Complex Contour Line Drawing

Objectives:

  • I can create a zoomed in composition of a complex natural form.

  • I can draw using interior and exterior contour lines to add depth to my forms.

  • I can utilize cross contour lines to add dimension to my form.

  • I can draw smooth contour lines that vary in thickness.

  • I can draw using marker.

In Class Practice

Day 1: Cross Contour Lines

What are cross contour lines?

A cross contour drawing contains parallel lines that run across the surface of an object (or radiate from a central point), such as those that appear on a topographical map or a digital wireframe.

Cross contour lines can give the illusion of volume because of the direction that they move!

Compare cross contour to a pure contour drawing.

Assignment: Cross Contour Hands - 10 points

-Draw your hand multiple times to fill the page. Begin with the “pure” contour line.

-Add in cross contour lines that follow the form of the hands.

-When finished, find a more complex object from the still life wall to practice with.

CrossContourHand.wmv

Day 2: Finding interior contour lines and controlling line weight.

Interior lines can show reflections

Interior lines can show textures.

Controlling line weight:

There are two basic guidelines for this technique:

1. Accentuate lines nearest to you (everything is more distinct when close up).

2. Accentuate only one side of an object and/or lines on the bottom (to represent shadow and weight).

Assignment: Still Life Interior/Exterior Lines - 10 Points

Draw a grouping of still life object. Choose objects that are reflective or have texture.

Use interior and exterior contour lines

Use line weight.

Fill one full page in your sketchbook.

InteriorLInesLineWieght.wmv

Summative Assessment

Complex Contours of Natural Objects

Requirements:

Create a zoomed in composition - fill the space of the page

Lines should have a variety of weight

Materials should include ink or sharpie

Subject should be a detailed natural object. Examples include but are not limited to: leaves, pine cone, fruit/vegetable (careful because it can rot), corn, flowers, wood.

Examples:

Student Examples:

Materials

  1. Bristol board paper

  2. Pencil bag - pencils, sharpies, eraser, sharpener

  3. Ruler- as large as possible

  4. Still life object(s)

Process

1. Choose object

  • Select an object that has lots of interior lines and details

  • Examples include but are not limited to: leaves, pinecone, fruit/vegetable (careful because it can rot), corn, flowers, wood. You can also choose to go the route of something very reflective or textured.

  • Bring in the object to draw from. If the object can rot, photograph it in class AFTER arranging your composition.

2. Creating Composition

Assignment: Draw 3 thumbnail sketches in your sketchbook - 15 points

  • Fill the space of the frame

  • Object(s) should go off the frame of the page in multiple places

  • Consider best orientation of your paper

  • Consider direction and angle- can you create the illusion of depth?

3. Drawing a Boarder

Video directions:

Measuring a Boarder with a Ruler.mp4

  • Measure out a boarder around the frame of your bristol board.

  • Boarder should be 1"-2" wide, up to you.

  • The boarder line will frame your drawing but DOES NOT need to be drawn in as a permanent line.

  • The boarder will act as a frame that your lines wont cross. It looks nice!

4. Sketch

  • Use light sketching lines to layout GENERAL composition- do not focus on details with pencil.

  • Make marks that represent major landmarks on your object.

  • Draw as light as possible!!! You do not want to see this pencil later!

Video directions:

DrawingBoarderSketching.MOV

4. Sharpie Exterior Contour Lines

Adding Sharpie- Complex Contour Line Drawing.mp4

  • Clean up your lines with sharpie

  • Find the prominent exterior lines

5. Add Detail and Line Weight

  • Begin to find interior lines

  • Be conscious of how the texture and line work follows the cross contour of the form

  • Draw interior lines lightly

  • Thicken up prominent lines and add line variety

Grading

Practice:

Cross Contour Hands- 10 points

Still life Interior/Exterior Lines- 10 Points

Thumbnail Sketches- 15 points

Final:

Complex Natural Forms Drawing- 100 points

Reflection- 6 points

Critique- 10 points