What is Contour Drawing?
• Put simply, it is the tracing of the edges of forms in a scene with the eye while following along with the hand that is drawing. • The hand is imagined to be linked directly to the eyes that carefully trace the edges of the forms and then of the elements within those forms. The drawings that result from this method often have a fluidity and lack of self-consciousness that is pr ized by the artist. More commonly it is used as an exercise to strengthen the skills of observation of proportion and of hand-eye coordination. Fluidity, gesture, and clarity as well as an understanding of how volume can be represented by proper outlinin g of shapes can also be improved through the exercise of contour drawing. • "e;Blind contour drawings” are made without looking at the drawing surface until the drawing is complete, where as more commonly the artist glances down at the drawing when commencing to contour each new element so that placement does not become confused. Long continuous single lin
