Seeing is a type of looking at something that involves a detailed recognition of all of the object’s physical traits–as well as seeing into the object’s spirit–seeing the essence of the subject.  Looking is a physical type of viewing. Truly seeing is more spiritual.  Artists and writers must be able to see. Contour Drawing is a type of drawing that helps the artist see.

Jacki Kellum Cross Contour Drawing – Drawn with Sharpie on Bristol Paper

A Contour Drawing is Nothing but an Outline
A Cross Contour weaves in and out of the image — from the outline to the interior — but never picking up your pen. 

To Create a Contour Drawing You Must Not Pick Up Your Pen

When I am loosening up in my studio, I do two types of drawings — gestures and contours.

A Gesture is a Quick Drawing to Capture the Spirit of the Subject Matter.

A Contour Drawing is Slow and Deliberate.

We have become so very hurried and harried in life, and we are tethered to instantaneous text messaging, social media, television, surfing the net, whipping in and out of traffic, multitasking, etc. Because of that, it is very, very difficult to keep oneself from racing along as we draw.

As you are attempting your first contour drawings, you will want to glimpse at the ending place–but you must learn not to do that.

You must move very slowly and deliberately, and you must keep your eyes and your hands locked together, inching boh your eyes and pencil around the outer surface of what you are drawing. You must never lose focus or allow your attention to wander at all.

Just as we are advised to live in the moment–Contour Drawing is a Way to See in the moment–and to Be in the moment.

Because Contour Drawing Requires Your Full Concentration, It Is A Type of Meditation–A Way to Heal

 

2 Daisies in a Bottle – Jacki Kellum Contour Drawing
8″ x 10″ Sharpie on Hot Press Paper

3 Daisies in a Bottle – Jacki Kellum Contour Drawing
8″ x 10″ Sharpie on Hot Press Paper

Head Study – Jacki Kellum Contour Drawing
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How to Do Contour Drawings in Procreate

Tonight, I discovered that I can Create Contours in Procreate.
I do not have the same lofty feelings about creating a contour drawing in Procreate.

I created the above contour drawing in a tracing layer above a photo that I imported into Procreate.

Steps:

1. Find a photo you would like to draw in contour.
2. Add that drawing to your photos on your Ipad.
3. Open Ipad
4. Click the Wrench to Import a Photo
5. Click on the Transform Tool to Resize the Photo
6. Reduce the Photo Layer’s Opacity
7. Select from your Procreate Inking Pens the Studio Pen
8. Choose the Color Black #000000
9. Create a Cross Contour without Picking Up Your Pen

For the above drawing, I used the Inking Pen Tinderbox

I accidentally nudged the opacity down on the pen before I completed the drawing

Sunflower Cross-Contour Drawn in Procreate
For the above drawing, I used the Inking Pen Technical Pen
This is my favorite Procreate Pen for this type of drawing in Procreate.
The Size of the pen was 4%

Althea Cross-Contour Drawn in Procreate
For the above drawing, I used the Inking Pen Technical Pen
This is my favorite Procreate Pen for this type of drawing in Procreate.
The Size of the pen was 4%

Ruby Throated Hummingbird Cross-Contour Drawn in Procreate
For the above drawing, I used the Inking Pen Technical Pen
This is my favorite Procreate Pen for this type of drawing in Procreate.
The Size of the pen was 4%

Cross-contour drawing aims to flow around and through the image without lifting your pen. Lines will cross each other in places.