Project - Cross Contour on Organic Forms

Lesson by

Stan Prokopenko

inDrawing Basics

2.5K

Course In Progress

Assignments 566

Downloads 10

Project - Cross Contour on Organic Forms

Lesson by

Stan Prokopenko

in Drawing Basics

2.5K

Course In Progress

Assignments 566

Downloads 10

Level 1

Simple Blobs: Visualize how cross contours wrap around random blog shapes from different angles (add eyes and limbs if you want to make it more fun!)

Ginger Root from Photo: Start by drawing the ginger root from the photos provided in the downloads and then try to invent your own. These are essentially blobs that grow other blobs, like bloated tree branches.

Simple Creatures: Draw seals, sea lions, fish, worms, snakes, sharks.. any simple blobby creature from photo reference. Find your own photos on pexels.com or unsplash.com

Level 2

Complex Creatures: Draw more complex creatures like lobster, shrimp, beetles, etc.

First do the lobster photo I provided in the downloads. Then find your own reference on Pexels or Unsplash.
Start with simple dynamic shapes. Remember what we learned in the Shapes section!
Add the cross contour lines to show the forms. Simplify, but not too much so you don't lose the essence of the form.

Change the Pose: Change the pose a little from the photo to force yourself to imagine the forms instead of only copying.

Deadline: Submit by 05/31/2024 for a chance to be in the critique video!

@yoyoy12

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10h

Joe Burris

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10h

Just starting with contouring blobs. Will begin trying ginger root and organic forms shortly. Before that Id love a check in that Im on the right path. Immediately I feel like I might use too many lines. I also know I make them too dark but thats an ongoing thing Im working on (its too tempting to press hard when drawing). My main concern is that Im rounding the lines around correctly. Thinking of it as an ant trail or rubber band helps but I know there's a grip of bad lines in these. I also experimented with different shapes and variables like overlaps and holes and ridges. Its really fun! But I want to make sure Im doing things right.

Melanie Scearce

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Overall it does look like you have the right idea! I do agree with you on the amount of lines you're using. I wonder if using that many lines causes you to flatten your cross-contours inadvertently. Here I used less lines and tried to make the form appear rounder by increasing the curve. It might help you also to "draw through" the form to imagine what the cross contour looks like on the other side of the form, like a cross section. This will give you a better idea of how round or flat your cross contour line is making the form appear as.

Art Stark

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Step 1: Bean as Blobs - A review of the Bean Lesson. Third Round: Just grooving on beans, man. Grooving on beans.

Rachel Dawn Owens

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I drew over one of your groovy beans to see if I could pop even more form out. I’m not sure if I did. All of your beans are already so good. Maybe this little illustration could still be helpful for someone out there though- Great stuff!

David D

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I feel like I have done the assignment, but my line quality and (in)ability to replicate a shape accurately really let me down on executing a good drawing. I know that’s not the point of the exercise, but it’s hard not to look at the end result and ignore the biggest problems. I’ll keep working and practicing.

Joe Burris

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10h

I think your contour lines are really nice. They're clean and confident. The ginger root is really cool looking aesthetically. You're doing great!

Art Stark

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Step 1: Bean as Blobs - A review of the Bean Lesson. Second Round:

Art Stark

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Step 1: Bean as Blobs - I saw this as an opportunity to review the Bean Lesson. Here's the first round…

Chuck Ludwig Reina

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Nice work! And smart to reinforce what you already learned. That is the way to get compound interest on your learning. Well done.

@chrisdzy

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Not in my usual set up today but really wanted to give this a go. Had to use printer paper and a weird pencil but I felt like a challenge, hope one of these shows promise XD

Joe Burris

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10h

These look really nice! I especially love the seal

@khanson7

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Would love feedback. I always start to feel like I’m doing it right and then I get in head about it and get overwhelmed

Chuck Ludwig Reina

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These look terrific! One thing that helps me a lot is drawing all the way around the form a bit. You do it more in some of these drawings and less in others, but it is a great way to make sure you're really feeling the form in your mind. Another thing to note, is that the curves around the form "speed up" right at the edge of the silhouette. This is a pattern you will see again and again. Don't get in your head about it! You're doing great.

@khanson7

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These 2 I struggled with

@bezet

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Chuck Ludwig Reina

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Love these!

samuel burgos celedon

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18d

Los dibujos están hechos primero con un boceto en lápiz de color y por encima pasé tinta con un Brush Pen. En algunos trazos la calidad de las líneas no coincide, en parte porque es un medio nuevo con el que estoy experimentando, y en parte porque algunos dibujos los hice viajando en tren. Si alguien pudiese recomendarme ejercicios para practicar con el Brush Pen, estaría muy agradecido.

Christopher Corbell

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19d

Here's my work for this assignment. I see a few things I might have not quite represented right, I will practice more of these. I'm interested in trying 2-d contours on face portrait drawings to see if it helps me understand face structure and lighting better.

Julia

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19d

I had fun with this project! I think my main struggle is adding "character" or personality to the cross contour lines... right now they seem somewhat boring. Perhaps I need to branch out and use more than the simple curved lines to describe the shape. Any suggestions or input is welcome! Thank you. :)

@ironfern

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28d

Hello! This is my submission for the assignment. The creature isn't from my imagination but from Star Wars. I like how the cross contours immediately show the 3D shape. Any suggestions are truly appreciated! Thank you!

Emm Rdgz

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1mo

Patrick Bosworth

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1mo

These came out great!! I love the simplification of the cat, really excellent shape design!

Michael Yoila

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1mo

Felt too relaxed. I don't think I did it right

Mattia Ferrari

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2mo

That's my attempt, very challenging but satisfying, I will do more for sure

@gothamdemon

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2mo

Did all the assignments and any feedback is welcomed

Rachel Dawn Owens

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2mo

Wow! These pages look great! The cross contours are looking really nice. They are very mindfully placed. Adding more weight to the outside edges of the forms also helps communicate the idea of 3d forms. I think the cross-contours could be pushed a little more. You’re on the right track. Just keep going. I hope this visual can help-

Luis

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2mo

Here are my cross-contours. I think the ginger and sea lion went well. Tried some more complex objects, like a turtle and a game controller, which did not go as well. Still, the sea lion looks pretty good, I think.

@brimarie

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2mo

A great exercise. I notice how my imagination expands a little bit more after each exercise - it's a wonderful feeling. Suggestions and improvements are always welcome:-)