How to Sketch With Contour Lines

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I’ve recently had quite a few requests for a quick overview of contour line sketching and how it works. In this video, I go over a few tips and tidbits on how to quickly show form using simple contour lines while sketching. As always, feel free to share the video and leave comments below. If you’re having trouble viewing all the videos, check out vimeo.com/idsketching for all our archive of videos. Spencer out.

P.S. my apologies for the shaky camera – I’m using a new camera rig that I am trying to perfect.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 11th, 2010 at 3:27 am and is filed under Basic, Video. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

  • http://www.owenharvey.com Ohjin

    Thanks for this vid. Nice clear explanation. I found it very informative.

  • http://www.owenharvey.com Ohjin

    Thanks for this vid. Nice clear explanation. I found it very informative.

  • lukiba

    cool man, thanks. keep up the tips! fantastic site, i check it out everyday!

  • lukiba

    cool man, thanks. keep up the tips! fantastic site, i check it out everyday!

  • Jaewoo Kim

    What video camera do you use for these video tutorials?

  • Jaewoo Kim

    What video camera do you use for these video tutorials?

  • http://www.idsketching.com Spencer Nugent

    I’m using an old JVC Everio HD Camcorder so that I can record in 1080P.

  • http://www.idsketching.com Spencer Nugent

    I’m using an old JVC Everio HD Camcorder so that I can record in 1080P.

  • tom

    great vid, really helpfull. pretty nice to see how you construct your sketches too.

  • tom

    great vid, really helpfull. pretty nice to see how you construct your sketches too.

  • Fab

    Really helpfull. Thank you for those amazing videos.

  • Fab

    Really helpfull. Thank you for those amazing videos.

  • Andrew Scott

    This is one of your best videos so far. Really nicely done.

  • Andrew Scott

    This is one of your best videos so far. Really nicely done.

  • Jaewoo Kim

    Off topic but,
    whatever happened to Josh Reed’s Interior car sketch tutorial?
    I dont think he ever finished it. Bummer.

  • Jaewoo Kim

    Off topic but,
    whatever happened to Josh Reed’s Interior car sketch tutorial?
    I dont think he ever finished it. Bummer.

  • http://www.idsketching.com Spencer Nugent

    I think that’s as far as it went or that’s all I got from him. He just sent me another tut tho, so stay tuned.

  • http://www.idsketching.com Spencer Nugent

    I think that’s as far as it went or that’s all I got from him. He just sent me another tut tho, so stay tuned.

  • dean

    spence you are my hero just what ive been lookin for.

  • dean

    spence you are my hero just what ive been lookin for.

  • Jaewoo Kim

    Hey Spencer,

    I have a question about sketchbook pro.
    Im looking for this feature that I saw in the iPad version of sketchbook pro that I want to use in the desktop version of sbp. In the iPad version I noticed that you could tweak the thickest part of the brush and the thinnest part of the brush. So that you can get that perfect taper based off of what you wanted. I am thinking that this feature was only added to simulate pressure sensitivity for the iPad. But I was hoping that this same feature can be found in the desktop version as well. If this feature exists, can you please show me how to do it?

    Thank you.

  • Jaewoo Kim

    Hey Spencer,

    I have a question about sketchbook pro.
    Im looking for this feature that I saw in the iPad version of sketchbook pro that I want to use in the desktop version of sbp. In the iPad version I noticed that you could tweak the thickest part of the brush and the thinnest part of the brush. So that you can get that perfect taper based off of what you wanted. I am thinking that this feature was only added to simulate pressure sensitivity for the iPad. But I was hoping that this same feature can be found in the desktop version as well. If this feature exists, can you please show me how to do it?

    Thank you.

  • http://www.idsketching.com Spencer Nugent

    First, you need to create a custom brush – you can do so by duplicating the current brush. Then you’ll see the settings for that custom brush pop up. To bring them up again, double click on the brush’s icon.

  • http://www.idsketching.com Spencer Nugent

    First, you need to create a custom brush – you can do so by duplicating the current brush. Then you’ll see the settings for that custom brush pop up. To bring them up again, double click on the brush’s icon.

  • http://www.creativitylives.com Jorgen

    More, more, more, more.

  • http://www.creativitylives.com Jorgen

    More, more, more, more.

  • Ivan Epling

    Very informative video.
    Every time i watch a video from you i am forced to stop everything and start sketching!

  • Ivan Epling

    Very informative video.
    Every time i watch a video from you i am forced to stop everything and start sketching!

  • http://patrickdeza.blogspot.com Patrick Deza

    Nice tutorials!
    Your videos inspired me to draw with constructions as you recommend.

    btw I have linked your website on my blog.
    http://patrickdeza.blogspot.com/2010/05/industrial-design-sketching.html

    thx for sharing

  • http://patrickdeza.blogspot.com Patrick Deza

    Nice tutorials!
    Your videos inspired me to draw with constructions as you recommend.

    btw I have linked your website on my blog.
    http://patrickdeza.blogspot.com/2010/05/industrial-design-sketching.html

    thx for sharing

  • Burak Serin

    Very helpful. Thank you very much. You make drawing look easy !

  • Burak Serin

    Very helpful. Thank you very much. You make drawing look easy !

  • http://www.coroflot.com/defo Diego

    this is truly a masterpiece for the teaching of sketch, thanks for posting!!

  • http://www.coroflot.com/defo Diego

    this is truly a masterpiece for the teaching of sketch, thanks for posting!!

  • Maj

    I’m a bit confused. I was taught those vertical and horizontal lines that suggest an objects surface were called cross-sections. Is that so? I’m sorry I just want to make sure I follow the video correctly. Otherwise it’s great thank you Spencer.

  • Maj

    I’m a bit confused. I was taught those vertical and horizontal lines that suggest an objects surface were called cross-sections. Is that so? I’m sorry I just want to make sure I follow the video correctly. Otherwise it’s great thank you Spencer.

  • http://www.idsketching.com Spencer Nugent

    Same thing.

  • http://www.idsketching.com Spencer Nugent

    Same thing.

  • http://www.coroflot.com/haojf fengyun319

    Thanks man!
    Very cool!

  • http://www.coroflot.com/haojf fengyun319

    Thanks man!
    Very cool!

  • http://www.zacharyasher.snappages.com zack

    on behalf of the new designers out of college who need practice on style and professional sketching, thanks man, im trying to sketch every day and this helps a lot

  • http://www.zacharyasher.snappages.com zack

    on behalf of the new designers out of college who need practice on style and professional sketching, thanks man, im trying to sketch every day and this helps a lot

  • Aritz

    offtopic: Autodesk Alias Sketch 2011

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFM5DR-a_pE

  • Aritz

    offtopic: Autodesk Alias Sketch 2011

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFM5DR-a_pE

  • Jesus

    Hey men great tutorial, realy help me in my sketches, Saludos desde Mexico y sigue hacienso esto realmente eres bueno.

  • Jesus

    Hey men great tutorial, realy help me in my sketches, Saludos desde Mexico y sigue hacienso esto realmente eres bueno.

  • http://charlesperretti.wordpress.com/2010/07/08/industrial-design-sketching-and-drawing-video-tutorials/ Industrial Design Sketching and Drawing Video Tutorials « CHARLES PERRETTI
  • nfrate

    nice vid.

  • nfrate

    nice vid.

  • mutou

    cool video
    I’m a beginner, I want to ask those pens are what brand
    thanks

  • mutou

    cool video
    I’m a beginner, I want to ask those pens are what brand
    thanks

  • nfinlay

    They are Pilot’s Fineliner. Check jetpens.com they should have them. Ive never been able to find them in stores.

  • nfinlay

    They are Pilot’s Fineliner. Check jetpens.com they should have them. Ive never been able to find them in stores.

  • mutou

    thanks,i had found

  • mutou

    thanks,i had found

  • http://www.sketchmyworld.com/sketch-of-the-day-august-20/ Sketch of the day – August 20 | Sketch My World

    [...] was following Spencer Nugent tutorial. Check it out! This video is amazing and I have learned new things and the sketches are great! I [...]

  • vis

    sexy. excellent technique.

  • vis

    sexy. excellent technique.

  • mng

    maaaaaaaaan you rock !!!! and not only in sketching. For 10 mins I learnt more from you, than a year in my interior design course ( interior or industrial i must sketch ;)

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Kym-Accleton/100000606153094 Kym Accleton

    OK, now I know what they’re talking about at Uni and what I’m aiming for. At last! Thank you!

  • C Stewart

    Hi Spencer
    I have just been watching your video with some of my Product Design class…. Ben Luke Thomas Michael Colin and Stphen. They were totally in awe of your sketching supremacy. Keep up the excellent tutorials you are WORLD CLASS..

  • Plpgomes

    I Spencer. Can you tell me, in reality, how much time did it take you to end the earphone sketches

  • Ivan

    Its amaizing ^^

  • Andoni

    This tips will really help me improving my sketching!!

  • Arturo Ariño

    This is really good!!

  • http://twitter.com/paulipam Paula Urbani

    really usefull!!
    you’re awesome!!!

  • Boo707

    how did you do this??? can i borrow you sometime?? LMFAO

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1077210610 Rumeysa Akar

    nice:)

  • Will

    so helpful, thank you so much!

  • Sportfanatic09

    I’m so envious of how true and confident your lines are! Truly brilliant!

  • Jmechie

    What fine liner are you using here? 

  • http://www.idsketching.com snugja

    Pilot fineliner

    Spencer

  • Lindsay

    I sat watching this (UK) and this is an amazingly intuitive way to teach art. I’ll be watching for the next video, these are fantastic, I’ve learned so much in a few minutes. Keep them coming!

  • Matty A

    dude, you smash it… you’ve really inspired me to care less about the business side of things and get back on the designing vibe, its what sets my soul alive and you’ve been the spark for it again so big yourself up brother

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  • Ro

    I spent yesterday watching your videos and at the end of the day I could sketch much better!

  • Bertschurgers

    you sketch really well, sick!!! I hate you!!
    just kidding of course!! nice work, it’s really handy to have a quick peek at your video’s

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