The Drawing Club

(Fogra 29) Job:11-41057 Title:Drawing club Handbook

05-C70789 #175 Dtp:204 Page:38

001-144_C70789.indd 38 5/13/14 10:41 AM (Fogra 29) Job:11-41057 Title:Drawing club Handbook
05-C70789 #175 Dtp:204 Page:39

001-144_C70789.indd 39 5/13/14 10:41 AM

38 The Drawing Club

(Text)

ExEr C isE:

Mass = Contour

When I say “contour,” do you automatically assume “line

contour”? Most people do, only because we generally draw with

linear tools such as pencils and pens. In truth, a contour can be

a line, but it can also be the edge of a shape. That shape could

be part of the character or the background. Switching to a draw-

ing tool that doesn’t make lines necessarily—like a big brush or

a pastel or charcoal stick—might help you see your pictures in

a different way.

Try drawing shapes with a broad tool such as a charcoal stick.

Look at both the shapes you see that make up the figure and the

shapes in the background. Let the contours develop as you draw

the edges of all these shapes. Here’s a hint: Is your subject a

light shape against a dark background or a dark shape against

a light background? Depending on what the costume is and the

lighting of the background, this relationship can alternate back

and forth. Since the charcoal stick makes dark marks, you will

be drawing either your subject or the background, depending on

your observation of this relationship. Looking for these relation-

ships will help you see the entire scene and how lighting affects

the design and composition.

Gangster, charcoal on paper, Frederic Durand Rock Star, charcoal on paper, Frederic Durand

(Fogra 29) Job:11-41057 Title:Drawing club Handbook

#175 Dtp:204 Page:38

001-144_41057 2.indd 38 24/4/14 7:28 pm

39

(Text)

Chapter 2: Why Is 2-D Design So Important?

Look at both the shapes you see that make up the figure and the

shapes in the background. Let the contours develop as you draw

the edges of all these shapes. Here’s a hint: Is your subject a

light shape against a dark background or a dark shape against

a light background? Depending on what the costume is and the

lighting of the background, this relationship can alternate back

and forth. Since the charcoal stick makes dark marks, you will

be drawing either your subject or the background, depending on

your observation of this relationship. Looking for these relation-

ships will help you see the entire scene and how lighting affects

the design and composition.

Cabaret, charcoal on paper, Frederic Durand

(Fogra 29) Job:11-41057 Title:Drawing club Handbook

#175 Dtp:204 Page:39

001-144_41057 2.indd 39 24/4/14 7:28 pm