Examples of Gesture vs. Contour Drawing Techniques

Understanding Gesture vs. Contour Drawing Techniques

Drawing can be an exciting journey, and understanding the differences between gesture and contour drawing can significantly enhance your skills. Both techniques serve unique purposes: gesture drawing focuses on the movement and essence of a subject, while contour drawing emphasizes the outline and details. Let’s dive into some practical examples to clarify these two techniques.

Example 1: Capturing Movement with Gesture Drawing

Context

Gesture drawing is often used in figure drawing sessions where the goal is to capture the overall movement and posture of the model in a short amount of time. This technique helps artists loosen up and get a feel for the dynamic nature of the subject.

In this example, imagine you are attending a life drawing class with a model striking various poses for 2-minute intervals.

Start with a quick warm-up: Take a moment to observe the model’s pose. Notice the angle of their limbs and the curve of their body.
Begin your sketch by using fluid, sweeping lines. Don’t worry about details—focus on the general shape and movement. For instance, if the model has one arm raised and the other bent, capture that energy with a few curved lines.
Use quick strokes to indicate the flow of the body, like a dancer in motion. Emphasize the lines of action that lead the viewer’s eye through the figure.

This method results in a lively sketch that conveys the essence of the pose without getting bogged down by details.

Notes

Try to keep your pencil moving continuously; don’t lift it off the paper too much.
If you feel comfortable, experiment with different drawing tools like charcoal or ink to see how they affect your lines.

Example 2: Exploring Details with Contour Drawing

Context

Contour drawing focuses on the edges and details of a subject. It’s often used to improve an artist’s observation skills and their ability to see shapes and forms. This example involves drawing a still life arrangement of fruit.

Imagine you have a bowl of assorted fruits in front of you: an apple, a banana, and a bunch of grapes.

Begin by closely observing the outline of each piece of fruit. Notice how the apple has a smooth, rounded shape, while the banana has a gentle curve.
Use a single continuous line to draw the contour of the apple, starting at the top and moving around the shape until you connect back to your starting point. Pay attention to the subtle variations in the outline.
Next, draw the banana, focusing on its unique curves and any details like the stem or spots on the skin. Make sure to keep your lines consistent and fluid.
Finally, draw the grapes by outlining each individual grape, capturing their clustered arrangement and the way they hang together.

This technique results in a detailed representation that captures the unique characteristics of each fruit.

Notes

You can challenge yourself by closing your eyes while drawing to enhance your tactile observation.
Experiment with varying line thickness to emphasize different aspects of your contour drawing.

Example 3: Merging Techniques for Dynamic Results

Context

Combining both gesture and contour techniques can lead to a more dynamic and engaging drawing. This example involves sketching a person in motion, such as a runner.

Imagine you’re watching a runner jogging through the park.

Start with quick gesture sketches to capture the runner’s overall posture and movement. Spend no more than 30 seconds on each gesture to keep it loose.
Notice the tilt of the body, the swing of the arms, and the bend of the legs. Use sweeping lines to indicate the direction of movement.
Once you have a few gesture sketches, choose one that stands out and transition to contour drawing. Focus on the details, like the runner’s clothing, facial expression, and the contours of their limbs.
Draw the runner’s form using a continuous line, ensuring you include elements that convey motion, such as the trailing leg or the arms in action.

This approach results in a drawing that feels alive and captures both energy and detail.

Notes

Don’t hesitate to mix different drawing materials. For example, use a pencil for gesture sketches and ink for the contour details.
Make sure to step back and evaluate your work, ensuring that the gesture and contour elements work harmoniously together.

By practicing these examples of gesture vs. contour drawing techniques, you’ll develop a more well-rounded skill set that enhances both your observational abilities and your creative expression. Happy drawing!