Exploring Contour

Teaching the art of contour drawing to adolescents can be challenging. Since teenagers are highly self-aware and conscious of their peers, it may be difficult for them to let go of the notion that the subjects they draw must turn out 'right' or realistic. Beginning the lesson, I would go through a PowerPoint that defines what contour is and show examples of what successful projects (from students and professional artists) can turn out to be.

Once we as a class have discussed what contour is, I would hold a demonstration of how to do contour drawings. For ease, I would use the demo done in class of drawing the hand. I would instruct students to follow the curves and lines of their hands while not looking at their papers. Showing them that even as the 'art' teacher, my blind contours look just as jagged as theirs. This will help students loosen up and not be concerned with the 'rightness' of the work.

Having students first do multiple blind contour drawings of their hands on news print will help loosen them up and prepare them for more difficult subjects to draw. Another preparatory drawing warm up would be to draw a contour of the student sitting opposite of them; making sure to never pick up their sharpie and have each line connecting. The 'strangeness' of their portraits of each other is sure to be humorous to them.

Once students begin demonstrating a mastery of the idea of contour drawing, I would begin to introduce the project outlines. Depending on what the lesson is (drawing objects, portraits, hands, shoes, feet, ect) students will do a modified contour drawing (allowed to pick up the pen) for their final project. Students are encouraged to keep their eyes on the object, not their papers.

The idea of adding a watercolor modification, zentangles, or tissue paper on top of a black and white contour drawing intrigues me. All of the work seems to come out quite well despite the differing skill level between students. They will be reminded to consider composition, pattern, and repetition when designing their final projects.