- Definition
A contour drawing is like tracing the outside edge of an object, focusing only on its shape, not any details inside. Sometimes artists do this without looking at their paper, which is called "blind" contour drawing.
Drawing the outline of a leaf by carefully following its bumpy edges with your eyes and pencil is a contour drawing.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Contour drawing is like slowly tracing the very edge of a toy with your finger, feeling every little bump and curve.
Ask your child: Without lifting your finger, can you trace the edge of your hand?
Common mix-up: Kids may think a contour drawing is just a quick outline. The key is to draw slowly, as if your pencil is touching the object's real edge.
Examples
- Trying a blind contour drawing by looking only at a shoe and not the paper while you draw its outline.
- Drawing the outline of a friend's face as they sit still.
contour drawing is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
