Contour Line Drawing

The subject of Drawing seems pretty basic. You just learn how to convey an image on paper... Right?  WRONG! Within each aspect of drawing there seems to be 52 million layers of detail, techniques, and skills to follow- well, maybe that is an exaggeration- 51 million layers. To start our school year, we have been learning about the many different techniques to create stylistic, valued and 3-dimensional looking images. To start, we learned about contour line drawings. Of course, there are many styles of contour drawings, but for this project we focused on the contours of the hand.

The way a line curves and the space left between the lines can give an illusion of 3-dimensional form (as seen below!)

For this contour drawing our students chose to position one of their hands in front of them in a certain symbol or pose, and create a contour drawing using a pencil in the other.

Something I loved seeing was how different everyone's hand positions were, and how even though eight artists can use the same materials and do the same assignment, that their individual artistic styles still show through.

Rebekka S. spaced her delicate lines out quite a bit creating an overall light value, while simulating every bend and curve.

Rebekah R. used thicker, bold lines to bring new life and emphasis to an ever-familiar image of a hand.

Angelina K. expressed in her post-project reflection that if she were to do it again, she'd center her hand on the page. I however think that not having it centered brings a very interesting composition to the piece! And the way her lines change direction at the thumb knuckle- Stellar.

Light, dark, thick, thin, hang loose, live long and prosper or high five-our artists brought all they had to the table for this contour drawing!