Contour Lines• Contour: the outline of a shape or form

– 19th Century Drawing by Kasushika Hokusai

Contour lines• One of the first things we draw• Our brains are “programmed” to see edges

and lines: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nwpU7GFYe8&feature=related

Contour Lines• Contour lines can be outside or inside an

object and help define the shape.

Contour lines• Help an object look more realistic.

Drawing with contour lines• First trace the outside.

Drawing with contour lines• Then add the inside lines.

Contour lines show depth.• Cartographers (map drawers) use contour

lines to show elevation.

Blind contour drawings• A technique sometimes used by artists that

gets interesting and unexpected results.

Examples of contour lines

Henrich Kley, 1923

Examples of contour lines: Calder