AVI1O - Assignment #2 "Contour Line Drawing"

Our second assignment focuses on Contour Lines.

"A contour is the line which defines a form or edge - an outline. Contour drawing is the place where most beginners start, following the visible edges of a shape. The contour describes the outermost edges of a form, as well as dramatic changes of plane within the form.

'Blind contour drawing' is when contour drawing is done without looking at the paper.

Contours in map making track across a surface linking points of the same height, so are very different in appearance and purpose to the contours referred to in visual art. This type of cartographic contour has more in common with an artist's 'cross contours', which are drawn to describe imaginary lines that cut across the form."

- Source: http://drawsketch.about.com/od/drawingglossary/g/contour.htm

In the following example, a captivating rendering of my boot, I focused my lines on the contours of the boot, the stitch work, and various leather components that comprise the boot's structure.  I chose not to focus on my eye's perception of the reflection of light and values, instead reproducing the lines that I saw.

Here is another example from the internet:

Using a familiar item, such as your shoes or some object from the classroom, attempt to create your own contour line drawing!