Another technique similar to contour drawing is outline drawing a division between form and the space a subject occupies. To make a blind contour drawing, an artist does not look at the paper or canvas on which they are working on. Like blind contour drawing, contour drawing is an artful experience that relies more on sensation than perception it's important to be guided by instinct. In a continuous-line drawing, the artist looks both at the subject and the paper, moving the medium over the paper, and creating a silhouette of the object. In the hands of a talented master, the line that conveys contour can deliver an astonishing amount of visual delight. It is widely accepted among schools, art institutions, and colleges as an effective training aid and discipline for beginner artists. It is a great style to work on, for people who are not familiar with drawing.Ĭontour drawing is an essential technique in the field of art because it is a strong foundation for any drawing or painting it can potentially modify a subjects’ form through variation within the lines. This technique is manifested in different styles and practiced in drawing development and learning.

However, because contour can convey a three-dimensional perspective, length and width as well as thickness and depth are important not all contours exist along the outlines of a subject.

The purpose of contour drawing is to emphasize the mass and volume of the subject rather than the detail the focus is on the outlined shape of the subject and not the minor details. Art technique sketching the outlined shape of the subjectĬontour drawing is an art technique in which the artist sketches the style of the subject by drawing lines that result in a drawing that is essentially an outline (the French word contour meaning 'outline').

Contour line art definition