How to Draw a Contour Line Drawing

Still Life

The exercise of rendering a contour line drawing is a classic process that teaches a student to draw by observation. It slows the practitioner down as he studies the shape of an object and draws first the outer edges and then the inner shapes. Next draw the textures that make up the surface of the familiar object. Contour line drawings are exercises not finished projects, although they may become starting points for works of art.

Things You'll Need

• Pencil, felt tipped marker or chalk pencil or stick
• Paper
• Group of familiar objects to draw

Instructions

How to Draw a Contour Line Drawing

1. Arrange the objects in an interesting manner in front of you. It may be helpful to use a lamp to add shadows or highlights to the object.

2. 

   Chose a starting point on the object and draw the outer shape. Observe the object carefully. Trace the outer edges with your eyes as you draw. Concentrate more on the object than the paper. This exercise should be done slowly. With repetition you will develop eye hand coordination.

3. 

   Without taking the pencil or pen off the surface of the paper find an inner line in the object and begin to describe the inner surfaces with line.

4. 

   Texture may be added with the use of line but try to not take the pen or pencil off the paper too often.

5. Repeat the drawing again. Although the drawing is done slowly, the time allotted for each exercise should be about two minutes for simple objects and added time for more complex drawings. These simple drawings should have smooth and flowing lines. The lines should not be labored over. Do not use an eraser.

6. Change objects and set up and draw the new object two to three times.

7. Change objects again and draw the new object two to three times.

8. 

   Choose one of the drawings to work into a more detailed art project. Using the contour lines add flat shapes of color and highlights.