Contour Drawing Versus Gesture Drawing

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Background information

      There are various artistic techniques an artist can choose from while making a drawing. Contour drawing and gesture drawing are the main artistic techniques used by artists to get their drawings done. In contour drawing, the artist starts by sketching by drawing lines which form outlines for real drawings. On the other hand, gesture drawing involves loosely sketching the subject as a way of capturing its form and express its movement. The two artistic techniques are widely used depending on the needs of the artist because they all have significant comparative benefits (Küssner, 2017). 

(Q&A, 2014) Examples of Gesture vs Contour and Scribbly Lines

Comparative differences between contour drawing and gesture drawing

      A contour is a line that shows that shows the edges or the form of an object while a gesture is a loosely drawn sketch that captures form and helps express motion. The two artistic techniques are different in the sense that the result for each of them is different. The two shows the form of the object, but each of them has an addition of what the result shows. 

 Figure 1 - One line continuous contour drawing,
Kris Trappeniers (Trappeniers, 2012, p.1).


The result in contour drawing is giving an outline of the subject while gesture drawing shows the form and motion of the subject. The primary purpose of contour drawing the subject's mass and volume but not details of the subject. Gesture drawing suggests the realistic form and the detail of the subject to be drawn such as movement (Brynjolson, 2010). Therefore, the main focus of contour drawing is outline while gesture drawing aims at the detail. 

 Figure 2 -  just a few lines gesturing drawing,
Stan Prokopenko (Proko.com, 2013).

Comparative benefits of contour drawing and gesture drawing

      Contour and gesture drawing is beneficial in any work of art, and their benefits are equally important. However, their benefits differ based on the artist's needs, and the result in mind. Contour drawing has the benefit of showing the form of the object to be drawn where for instance if a person is a subject, the artist starts by drawing its edges to depict the shape. The shape is initially drawn to show the size of the person in the form. On the other hand, gesture drawing offers more details with lots of information captured in the few lines which provides a feel of the subject especially movement (Sale, 2007).

How is contour and gesture drawing applied in animation (figure 4)?

 
Figure 3 - Contour and gesture drawing in animation, 
Gesture drawing for Animation by Walt Stanchfield (Brodie, n.d., p. 165)

Conclusion

      Contour and gesture drawings are equally important because they help in expressing the idea an artist has in mind. An artist has the freedom of selecting whatever he feels fit depending on the desired result and the idea that is passed across by the drawings.



References



  • Brynjolson, R. (2010). Teaching Art: A Complete Guide for the Classroom. Portage & Main Press. 
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  • Küssner, M. B. (2017). Shape, drawing, and gesture. Oxford Scholarship Online. doi:10.1093/oso/9780199351411.003.0004
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  • Sale, T., & Betti, C. (2007). Drawing: A Contemporary Approach. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.

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