How to Outline With Pencil

Learn how to draw a contour or outline drawing of figures and shapes.

Blind contour drawing involves looking only at the subject while trusting your hand to create a similar image on your drawing paper. Whether you draw an outline of an image through blind contour drawing or you carefully create one by looking at your drawing paper, your mastery of line drawing will improve. Use these skills to create quick outline drawings called gesture sketches to capture a moment or scene in real life.

Things You'll Need

• Box
• Cone
• Ball
• Drawing paper
• Drawing board or easel
• HB pencil
• Ruler
• 2B, 3B or 4B pencil
• F or 2H pencil

Instructions

1. Set up a still life. Use simple forms, such as a box, cone or ball to start of with. Place the still life in a well-lit area.

2. Secure a sheet of drawing paper to a drawing board or easel.

3. Examine the still life carefully. Look at the negative space between the shapes and the distance between each shapes outline.

4. Create a horizon line. Draw a horizontal line across the bottom third of your paper. This will be your starting point or base to "rest" your objects on. Use a ruler to help create a straight line.

5. Use a HB pencil to lightly sketch the outline of each shape. Hold your pencil at arm's length, close one eye and measure the length of each line you plan to draw. Use the pencil as a measuring stick and lay it down on the paper. Use another pencil to mark the top and bottom of the line you want to create.

6. Turn your pencil horizontally to measure the distance between the objects to get the best proportion for your composition.

7. Create depth by using soft or hard grade pencils. A 2B, 3B or 4B pencil will produce very dark lines. Use dark lines to create the shadowed lines of your object. Go over your outlined drawing with light grade pencils, such as F or 2H for thin lines. This will help make your composition look realistic.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice line drawing regularly to improve your technique.

• Use blind contour drawing to help you refine the dexterity in your hand.

• Take frequent breaks to avoid wrist and arm strain.

References

• Nancy Doyle Fine Art; Exercise 1 -- Contour Drawing
• "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain"; Betty Edwards; 1999
• The Virtual Instructor; Cross Contour Line Drawing; Matt Fussell
• 2D Design Notes; Line; James T. Saw; 2002