Cross Contour | Types of Contours in Architectural Drawing

Cross Contour | Types of Contours in Architectural Drawing

In my previous articles, we discussed two different types of contours:

  1. Blind Contour
  2. Negative/Positive Contour

In this article, we will go ahead with the third major contour type “Cross Contour”.

Cross Contour is similar to the tactile blind contour. But in cross contour, you feel the whole space of the composition with your eyes and translate it a sheet of paper.

Cross contour is a linear problem and the translation should make only limited use of value by defining it simply in the pressure of the stroke.

 

Cross Contour | Types of Contours
Cross Contour | Types of Contours
  • Squinting helps identify lights and darks
  • Vary pressure according to the volume established.
  • Less pressure for light and more pressure for shades and shadows – The topographical definition.

Occasionally the highest lights will not require a line at all but will break the line and pick it up again when the value becomes dark enough.

Exercises for Cross Contour

  1. Still Life
  2. Landscape Elements
Cross Contour
Cross Contour

Things you need for the drawing:

  • Drawing paper
  • Ivory Paper
  • Bristol Paper
  • Soft Pencil
  • Ebony

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