1. Home
  2. Hobbies & Games
  3. Drawing / Sketching

Figure Drawing: Line and Contour

By Helen South, About.com

2 of 7

Gestural Structure

S McKeeman, licensed to About.com, Inc.
A common problem with pure contour drawing is that as the tempo of drawing changes, and as we focus in on one small area at a time, it can be difficult to preserve the proportions of the figure. Gradually errors compound and the figure becomes distorted. To remedy this, practice using structural composition methods. With familiarity, you find that you can make these judgments instinctively. The proportions of the figure are maintained by visualizing landmarks prior to drawing, and by continually checking against the line one has already drawn.

In this example, drawn by Sharon McKeeman, you can see how the artist has rapidly sketched the key structures of the figure before describing the contour with a few elegantly descriptive lines.

Explore Drawing / Sketching

About.com Special Features

Scrapbook Technique Gallery

Use these ideas to inspire your own uniquely beautiful pages. More >

Price Your Collectibles

Find out how much your treasured collection is worth. More >

  1. Home
  2. Hobbies & Games
  3. Drawing / Sketching
  4. Draw People
  5. Figure Drawing
  6. Figure Drawing: Line and Contour - Gestural Structure

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.