Contour Line | Negative/Positive Contour

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Negative/Positive Contour | Architectural Drawing

As we discussed earlier, there are three major types of contours:

  1. Blind Contour
  2. Negative/Positive Contour
  3. Cross Contour

In this article, we will discuss in detail the method of drawing a “Negative/Positive Contour” and its relevance to Architectural Drawing.

A negative shape is defined as the shape of space that surrounds the object or that permeates it.

Negative shapes drawn from any subject matter WILL, WHEN COMPLETED, SUGGEST the positive shape of that which you are drawing.

The purpose of this exercise is to turn your thinking and seeing from the object itself, to that of seeing shapes of space which surround or permeate things.

 

Negative/Positive Contour - To draw the space around it
Negative/Positive Contour - To draw the space around it

The process requires that you see space in a new way. Conventional spatial expectations are reoriented.

Draw the negative shapes seen from your point of view, regardless of the separateness and overlapping of the objects.

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Contour Line | Blind Contour | Architectural Drawing

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Contour Line | Blind Contour

The simplest and earliest method of drawing was “Delineation”. Its most pure form is the Contour Line.

Three major types of Contours:

  1. Blind Contour
  2. Negative/Positive Contour
  3. Cross Contour

This is the line demarcating of “What is” and “What is not”. It is a boundary between what is perceived – seen – called. The positive shapes, and the space surrounding the perceived object called the “Negative shape”.

 

Blind Contour - Hand
Blind Contour - Hand

The contour line is a deceptively difficult line to draw well and a well drawn contour line rests upon sensitive and detailed persuasive information.

It is a line which has not only to express the edges of the figure but also suggest what conceals behind it.

This exercise has to make use of line in all its possibilities:

  • Even and Variable
  • Thick/Thin
  • Light/Dark

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Line Exercises | Architectural Drawing

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Line Exercises | Understanding the importance of Line weights

In my previous article, we discussed how important the line weights are. Now we will go ahead with necessary Line Exercises.

Line Exercises is the first lesson to learn in Architecture. It helps you understand the importance of every stroke drawn by you. It helps you realize that every stroke that you draw should convey a meaning in terms of design.

Here are a few things you need to do before you proceed with “Line Exercises”.

  1. Pencils – HB/B/2B
  2. Drawing Sheet – 22″x30″
  3. Draw 1/2″ border lines with title block of width 2″
  4. Divide the drawing sheet into 9 parts

Line Exercise 1

Line Exercise 1
Line Exercise 1

After you are successfully done with the first line exercise, we will proceed to the next line Exercise with more complex patterns.

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Line | Element of Drawing and Design

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Line | Element of Drawing and Design

Motor/Visual Coordination

A line is a meeting of two points through a stroke.

The ease of drawing a line and its length differs with respect to :

  1. Finger Movement
  2. Wrist Movement
  3. Elbow Movement

Lines drawn by the movement of finger, Wrist and Elbow respectively
Lines drawn by the movement of finger, Wrist and Elbow respectively

A line has to be drawn with one stroke with the beginning and ends emphasized.

Types of Strokes

  1. Thin/Thick
  2. Light to Dark
  3. Dark/Light/Dark
  4. Light/Dark/Light
  5. With Varied Pressure

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