Form is the three-dimensional volume that an object occupies.  We recognize forms by the way their visible surfaces wrap around their volume.  The angle of these surfaces in space is called their surface orientation.  For example, a cube has six surfaces, each oriented at a 90-degree angle to the others.  Describing form is important for making the objects in a drawing appear three-dimensional. In a two-dimensional drawing, we can suggest three-dimensional form by describing the surfaces of a form and their orientation.

Lines can describe surfaces by following their contours.  These might be outer edges, like an outline, or cross-contours that describe the surface inside the silhouette.

Shapes can describe the different planes of a surface.  These are areas of the same or similar surface orientation, such as the faces of a cube.

Value can describe surface orientation by showing where the light hits the surfaces. Surfaces that face the light will be brighter, while surfaces that face away will be darker.  On rounded surfaces, light shifts gradually, creating smooth gradients.  On sharp edges, like corners, light changes abruptly, resulting in more abrupt value shifts.

Lesson 5 Assignment

Cross-contour

This exercise builds on the blind contour exercise, but instead of drawing the outer edges, you will now draw contours that move across the surface of the form.

Start by choosing a point on the outside edge of your subject.  Move your eye across the surface, perpendicularly to the outer edge, as if tracing the path of an insect crawling over the object.  Let your pen follow the movement of your eye just as before.  When your eye reaches the opposite edge, choose a nearby point and repeat the process.  Unlike with blind contour, you can look at your page as you draw. Imagine your object is striped with parallel lines that wrap around its surface.  Evaluate your drawing by how convincingly your lines appear to wrap around the form.  Do not worry if your proportions are off, since that is not the focus of this exercise.

1. Spend the first 30 minutes doing the cross contour exercise.
   
2. Spend 50 to 55 minutes drawing your object to the best of your current ability.  If you finish before your study session ends, draw it again until your time is up.  If you can’t finish within one session, continue working on it in the next. You can also take extra time if you want.
   
3. Reflect on your results and write about what went well and what you could improve next time.

Optional:

1. Share your weekly study plan in the #accountability channel on the course discord server.
   
2. Post your exercise results in the #exercises channel if you’d like feedback.
   
3. Share your drawing and photo in the #course-critique channel to get feedback from the community.

If you have any questions about the course, you can ask in the #course-help channel.