04 January - Contour Drawing

materials:

drawing paper

pencil or pen

interesting objects to draw

a paper plate over each pencil so students can't peak at their drawings

sharpie

colored markers

This lesson is all about getting kids to really look at objects they are drawing. Remember! No peeking!

Process: 1. Explain contour - outline, contour lines - Contour lines show the edges and outlines of shapes, and contour line drawing - When you make a contour drawing you draw only the edges or outlines of the shapes you see. There is no shading.

Discuss blind contour drawing - A blind contour is drawn the same way as a contour drawing except you do not look at your drawing--you only look at the object. Blind contour drawings are practice drawings made up entirely of lines. They are called blind contour drawings because you can't look at your drawing until you are done! Blind contour drawings will help you train your eyes to see the shapes and edges as you draw. Your hand will record every detail slowly and accurately. They might look a little strange but they are not scribbles or even gesture drawings!

2. Have students choose an interesting object to draw. Objects with lots of edges, wrinkles, or other details are the most fun. Students can draw their shoes.

3. Place your pencil (with the paper plate so you canʼt peak) on your paper. Be sure your starting point gives you enough room so you don't draw off the edge of the paper.

4. Study the object and draw very slowly. DON'T PEEK at your drawing! You are training your eyes to see the details and your hand to record every detail. DO NOT LIFT your pencil or pen. Keep the tip on the paper at all times to draw a continuous line. Sometimes you may need to drag your pencil or pen to get to a new shape.

5. Now look at your drawing. Can you see the details of your object? Try drawing several more blind contours of the same object.

6. Then draw a contour drawing (looking at your drawing as you work) of the same object. You can use sharpie for this step. You should see a big difference in how your contour drawings look if you warm up with a few blind contour drawings first! You can color in areas with colored marker.