Drawing and Painting : Cross Contour

Cross Contour

In a cross contour drawing the line go across the form. This is different than a contour drawing where the form is just outlined. Cross contour studies can help the artists and viewer understand the volume of the form. Cross contour lines "wrap" around the form almost like the wrappings on the proverbial mummy or an object wrapped with string.

image of the painting titled Pollard Birches — Vincent Van Gogh, *Pollard Birches* ink on paper

image of a cross-contour drawing of a gourd

image of a cross-contour drawing of a tree

image of a cross-contour drawing of an arm — Careful variations in the cross contour lines can yield effective volume and detail of surface form.

image of a cross-contour drawing of a tree made with smaller marks

image of a cross-contour drawing of a man lying down — In some cross contour drawings the wrapping line is broken or interrupted. This can be an effective way of showing light and shadow as in this drawing.

image of a cross-contour drawing of a torso

image of a cross-contour drawing of a man from above

image of a cross-contour drawing of a two hands

image of a cross-contour drawing of pears and apples

More examples of cross contour drawings on Pinterest.