25 Days to Better Drawings: Cross Contour Lines
Lesson Description
Lesson Six of the 25 Days to Better Drawings Course introduces students to the concept of cross contour lines, a powerful technique for communicating form, volume, and three-dimensionality in drawings. While contour lines define the edges of an object, cross contour lines wrap around the surface of the object, revealing its structure and curvature. This lesson helps students understand how to move beyond flat outlines and develop drawings that feel solid and lifelike. The lesson culminates in a practical exercise: drawing a banana using cross contour lines to accurately communicate its form.
Understanding the Concept of Cross Contour Lines
The lesson begins by explaining the purpose of cross contour lines. Unlike regular contour lines, which only trace the perimeter of an object, cross contour lines follow the surface and curvature of an object, traveling across its volume. By doing so, they provide important visual cues about shape, perspective, and form. For instance, a cylindrical object like a banana or a bottle is defined not only by its outer edges but also by the lines that wrap around its surface, revealing its roundness and three-dimensionality.
Matt emphasizes that cross contour lines are a bridge between simple outline drawings and fully rendered forms. They can be used as a guide for shading or as a standalone technique to convey depth and curvature. Understanding how to use these lines enables students to draw objects more accurately and with greater confidence.
The Visual Language of Cross Contours
Next, the lesson explores how cross contour lines act as a visual language for communicating volume. Students learn that the spacing, direction, and curvature of these lines convey important information. Lines that are closer together can suggest a tighter curve or highlight the form’s prominence, while lines spaced further apart indicate flatter areas. Additionally, the direction of the lines can illustrate twists, bends, or turns on the surface of an object, giving the viewer a clear sense of how the object occupies space.
Students are encouraged to observe real objects carefully, noting how their surfaces curve and change. By thinking in terms of cross contours, artists learn to “wrap” lines around the object, rather than simply drawing what appears on the surface. This mindset trains the eye to see the form in three dimensions and improves overall spatial awareness in drawing.
Introducing the Banana as a Drawing Exercise
To apply these concepts, Matt introduces a banana as a practical exercise. A banana is an ideal subject because its simple shape—a curved, elongated cylinder—makes it easy to focus on cross contour lines without distraction. Despite its simplicity, the banana’s surface curvature allows students to practice controlling line direction, spacing, and flow to accurately communicate form.
Students begin by sketching a basic outline of the banana, ensuring that the proportions and overall shape are correct. Matt explains that the contour sketch serves as a roadmap for placing the cross contour lines, which will follow the banana’s natural curve and wrap around its volume.
Applying Cross Contour Lines to the Banana
Once the basic shape is established, students begin to draw cross contour lines. Matt demonstrates how to start at one end of the banana and follow the surface with flowing lines, paying close attention to the curvature. Lines should gently bend with the form, emphasizing the natural cylindrical shape. Students practice varying line weight, using heavier lines in areas that appear closer to the viewer or in the foreground, and lighter lines along receding areas.
Matt emphasizes that these lines should not be perfectly uniform or mechanical. The natural variation adds realism and communicates subtle changes in the surface. Students are encouraged to look at the banana from multiple angles, noting how the direction of the cross contour lines changes with perspective. By wrapping the lines around the form, students develop an intuitive understanding of volume that goes beyond flat outlines.
Refining the Drawing and Observing Volume
As students progress, they refine their cross contour lines, adjusting spacing, curvature, and alignment to better reflect the banana’s three-dimensional form. This stage encourages careful observation, patience, and mindful mark-making. Students learn to evaluate their drawing constantly, comparing it to the real object and making subtle adjustments to ensure the lines accurately communicate the object’s volume.
Matt explains that this process also prepares students for future exercises in shading, as cross contour lines can serve as a guide for applying value to enhance the sense of form. Even without shading, the banana drawing demonstrates depth and realism through line alone, reinforcing the lesson’s emphasis on structure and observation.
Building Form Awareness Through Cross Contours
By the end of Lesson Six, students gain a solid understanding of cross contour lines and how they enhance drawings by conveying volume and structure. The banana exercise provides a practical, approachable application that reinforces the concept, allowing students to see the immediate impact of thoughtful line placement. This lesson equips students with a powerful tool to create drawings that feel three-dimensional, dynamic, and visually compelling, laying the foundation for more complex forms in the lessons ahead.
Lesson Materials
Graphite drawing pencil, white drawing paper, and a kneaded eraser.
Lesson Resources
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Founder of The Virtual Instructor, artist and teacher. Matt makes learning art easy to understand and enjoyable.
At one point the cross lines were going one direction, and then after the cross lines appear straight the cross lines change direction. Is that right? Or when do they change direction?
Lesson 1-5, easy to follow. Lesson 6 not. Whoa. Did the intuitive artist just skip a mental step that the plodder can’t fathom? Left to myself, I would not dream of cross contours positions such as these and the teacher certainly laid it out clearly, but how can I do the same thing on non-bananas without that missing step?
Hi Susan,
Perhaps you’re overthinking it. Cross contour lines are simply lines that flow over the form of an object. In some cases, we can see these lines, but most of the time we cannot. If you take your finger and move it over a form and imagine that your finger leaves a line, the line that would be left is a cross contour line. They simply help us to better understand a 3D object in space and how we can communicate it in a flat drawing. In the next module, cross contour lines are used to add shading to an object. It may be helpful to watch this lesson to reinforce the practical application of cross contour lines in a drawing.
Hi Pasqualina, The cross contour lines are simply flowing over the planes of the banana. They appear at a different angle because of the vantage point. They change direction according to the plane.
Thank you, Matt
Thanks for the lesson. I had an “aha!” moment with how contour lines can help create a 3D shape. As an experiment I drew contour lines along a second banana that didn’t follow the shape and planes. The second banana looked strange.
I found this one a little hard to follow. I understand the contour lines that are more rounded, but I didn’t understand how you had picked the planes on your banana (I’m using my own banana). My banana has pretty clear longitudinal planes. Didn’t get how you picked where the line became angular (as opposed to the roundy banana). Otherwise enjoying the series.
I agree with most. I started from the picture but did not get it. It helped with a real banana and feeling shape but still not sure of my lines. Need more work with this. I find myself copying you rather than actually getting it. I won’t give up.
I copied the banana in the reference photo then drew the bowl of my wine glass and did contour lines on that to check that I understood the concept. I’m not the best drawer in the world for sure but I was pleased with the result. I could see the shape of the glass in my drawing. Clever stuff Matt!
Hi Matt,
What is the difference between these planes and cross-contour lines and the next lesson hatching and cross hatching?
What’s happening for me is I sketch something out (which is really really hard for me) and then I try to practice the planes but I end up just drawing lines down the item. Which sort of makes me think – oh I’m hatching but I’m intending to be identifying planes.
What do I use the planes for? Are the lines drawn for planes always angular? I drew my apple and then just drew curvilinear lines down each side I could see, should those be angular lines? It looks like my apple is just wearing a prison jumpsuit, haha, is that the correct idea? Seems like my brain is missing something.
Do you have more videos I can watch to check my work against yours? Like if you’re drawing an apple I know I can follow along and See what you’re explaining. That’s working the best for me right now – when I try on my own something is missing. It’s just so simple and fast and looks flat…it’s not sinking in just yet.
What is the relationship between planes and hatching? Is there one, or is my brain just super confused?
I’m just drawing this banana every single day of my life right now. 🙂
Hi Kathy,
Cross contour lines help us to understand the actual planes that are on the object. Hatching and cross hatching are means of developing value in a drawing. Most times, we should make hatching marks so that they flow over the form of the subject (along the planes). These lines will typically flow in the same direction as the cross contour lines. So, there’s some overlap between the concept of cross contour lines and hatching.
I actually have a lesson on cross contour lines that uses an apple! You can find it here…https://thevirtualinstructor.com/cross-contour-lines.html
Cross contour lines can be confusing. It really is more of a concept that helps us to make decisions on the direction our hatches (and brushstrokes) should be made.
YES! Thank you for responding with exactly what I was looking for! The apple video perfectly answered my confusion! Contour is used to indicate form. Hatching shading. Hatch in the direction of form. And above all else, stop listening to my brain, trust my eyes.
I am really enjoying your awesome site, and the emails I receive from you. Thank you for it all.
WHERE DO I FINS THE SKETCHES TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT OUT?
ALSO I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE AUDIO CUTTING OUT AND I HAVE TO EXIT THE PROGRAM AND RELOAD TO GET THE AUDIO BACK. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT I AM DOING WRONG.
Hi Marie,
All of the resources for the lesson (ebook, photo references, etc.) are under the “RESOURCES” tab under the video. If the video is cutting in and out, it may be your internet connection. You can change the stream quality by clicking on the gear icon after scrolling over the video. Try playing in a lesser quality.
I’m having trouble just starting. I’m a frightened perfectionist. Any tips for me?
Hi Kathryn,
These articles may help…
https://thevirtualinstructor.com/blog/perfectionism-the-enemy-of-the-artist
https://thevirtualinstructor.com/blog/dealing-with-artistic-frustration-when-things-dont-go-your-way
https://thevirtualinstructor.com/blog/artistic-struggle
I always struggle with identifying shadow areas in a drawing, going through this contour exercise really I had a lightbulb moment. The contour line exercise actually helps you see (depending on the direction of the light source) how the light and shadow would fall on an object as well of course in defining an objects contours and shape. I did wonder at first where this was going but it all became apparent as the drawing developed form. Thanks Matt, brilliantly explained
I did some practice on some other fruit 🍊🍎 today after watching the lesson yesterday. I found I could “see” where the contour lines should go (I think!) but not the planes. So I drew just the contour lines. Does it matter for this lesson if you leave out the planes? Should I try again to get the planes?
Iv been drawing for years I’ve never seen this before, perhaps because I’ve never really looked , thank you so much for this it helps so much , makes you really look at your drawing in a totally different way which makes total sense also such a difference!
Jan
I really enjoyed this lesson. When I did my banana, I did quite a few contour lines and the end of the banana looked flat, like someone had flattened it with a hammer. I found that very useful, as it taught me how these lines really do define shape. I will practice this on a real banana and an apple, to get understand it better. Thanks Matt.
I try to use my own eye in addition to the instruction to be sure I’m understanding the concepts. The first time I did the cross contour lines, I did the second set of lines in a different direction and then did some erasing;). I’m left handed and I find my learning process is challenging in certain ways. But, my daughter is lefty too, and she is amazing at drawing! I was relieved to read in the comments that others found this lesson somewhat more of a struggle to understand the concept. But worth the effort, I’m sure!
These lines are too regular for my taste. Ther is not enough variety for me.
fr
Never approached an object this way, this is very good to get understanding of the form if it.
Thanks for this great lesson Matt 👍
Never approached an object this way,
this is very good to get understanding of the form if it.
Thanks for this great lesson Matt 👍
This was a very good lesson at helping me understand the contours.
Thank you, Matt!
Hi Matt
Just a short note to express my appreciation for this course. I am enjoying it thoroughly.
Annalie
I had an art instructor a few years back that said every plane change means a value change. In other words every value change represents a plane change. It is easier for me to see the planes when looking for the changes in light and dark. Matt, the link above to your YouTube video was very helpful, especially the example of the two cylinders which demonstrated how cross contour lines really do make a difference in defining the form of the subject.
Hi Matt. I understood these concepts but if the banana were to be hatched, would the lines run across the planes (around the banana) or length-wise to match the grain of the banana skin? And how would this be determined? I Googled “pen & ink banana” and see them done both ways. Thanks. I’m taking Subjects with Ink after this course.
Hi Tania,
Cross contour lines can go either way – along the length of the plane or across the width of the plane. What’s most important is that they are consistent.
Thank you Matt!
This one broke my brain hahaha
Very cool. I can see the 3-dimensions appearing in the object. Thanks!
Helpful sessions so far in teaching the basics… but found this one challenging as just cannot get the 3D effect with my banana drawing. Tried doing it twice, and ran my finger along image on second attempt but no luck. By chance, is there another module that talks more in-depth about cross counter lines or 3D effect?
I already use cross contour lines in drawing, so this was easy.