
They can also limit the contour display to specific domains or an elevation range, define the minimum areas for closed contours, or influence the way of contour line generation. Contour drawings only consist of lines and have very little detail. Contour options define symbology settings for contour lines, such as level, coloring, line style, and line weight for the different contour types. When deciding on which direction to make brush strokes, add value, or material, consider the cross contour lines that may "exist" on the surface of the object. A contour drawing refers to an object or model outline without any shading, tone, or texture. Cross contour lines can be drawn horizontally or vertically over the surface of the object.

If you were to draw these lines, these lines may change direction depending on the ends and outs of the surface of the object. Your finger may go up or down depending on the surface of the object. A good way to think of this is to imagine taking your finger and running it over the surface of an object. Cross contour lines may flow over the contours of the object. A single line creating an outline of a figure or an object can show the height, width and even details of what is being studied. Notice how varying the line quality in the drawing on the right, makes the apple appear to have form.Ĭross contour lines are lines that define the form of the object even further. By varying line quality (weight) you add variety to your work. Or lines may become thicker to help indicate a light source. Cylindrical are used on rods, dowels, etc.

Short and long break lines are used for flat surfaces. They are used to remove, or ‘break out part of a drawing for clarity, and also to shorten objects which have the same shape throughout their length and may be too long to place on the drawing. Lines may become wider or thicker in areas where the object itself is thicker. There are three kinds of break lines used in drawings. If then a line representing the edge of the sea is. Imagine a land surface inundated by the sea to a depth of 100 feet (30.5 metres)that is, the intersection of a horizontal plain with the uneven surface of the land. Line quality is also called line weight and simply put, refers to the thickness or thinness of the line. contour line, a line on a map representing an imaginary line on the land surface, all points of which are at the same elevation above a datum plane, usually mean sea level. In order to make your contour line drawing more interesting, you should add variety to the line by varying the line quality. When line is used in this way, the lines are called contour lines.ĭrawing with one basic line that does not change in width is monotonous and boring. Line most commonly defines the edges of an object. So, that being said, let's take a look at a few of the ways that you can use line to it's fullest potential.

Define contour line drawing how to#
Understanding how to use line to it's fullest potential is absolutely essential to any artist's success. Line is also a fundamental part of drawing. Line is perhaps the most basic of the seven elements of art. In terms of art, line is defined as a moving dot.
