Continuous Line Drawing of the Face: A Complete Guide

When being introduced to new drawing techniques, continuous line drawing was one technique that stood out for me.

You will need to begin drawing from the primary observation or a secondary source portrait as a general rule. To generate a continuous line drawing of the face, you will need to observe the face and set the pencil on the paper. As you study the form of the subject, move the pencil in coordination with your observations.

In this post, I will outline how to create a continuous line drawing of a face and why I recommend this technique if you are looking to develop your drawing skills.

Your brain is designed to process and identify faces. You might forget the little details about someone, like their occupation or names but is more likely to recognize their faces. 

That's why faces are the most common subject for artists. They are passionate about gestural drawing and experimental draw line drawing.

Drawing faces is exciting and easy; you shouldn't be intimidated. You can use continuous line drawing to complete the entire drawing. It would be best to better understand how you will capture the face on a piece of paper.

Herein is a comprehensive guide on how to draw a continuous line drawing. This will help you gain skills and make your practice more to finer points of the facial proportions.

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Continuous Line Drawing Face

Continuous line drawing is a method that helps you to draw quickly and develop your confidence. It is one way of encouraging the combination of hand, eyes, and brain to work well together. 

Primarily, it works great when it comes to an in-depth focus on the subject; in this case, the face is the subject, without any interference from your thoughts.

Continuous line drawing is an art project with its right; it's a beneficial drawing exercise that puts your observation skills top-notch and develops hand-eye coordination. As an artist, we should spend more of your time practicing to develop your skills more.

What is a Continuous line?

It is a way of drawing that excludes you from lifting your drawing pencil off the page. A single line that isn't broken that artist used to draw an image. As mentioned earlier, most continuous lines are a complete work of art. However, people mark it as an exercise.

Artists will focus more on describing the shadows, contours, and forms communicated according to the artist's approach. It is a drawing that forces one to observe those perceived lines while drawing a subject keenly.

In addition to the outlined shapes, the artist must ensure that the pencil moves back and forth on the paper surface. You will come across lines doubling on each other. 

Therefore, you should keep in mind that it's a free-flowing and unbroken line. The one thing you must recognize is that there is no drawing that ends up perfect; it's the imperfections that make it outstanding.

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Several parameters make your way of drawing the most significant. For instance, a continuous line drawing has apparent imperfections. 

However, these imperfections are the ones that make your graphics visually exciting and attractive. So, you don't have to avoid mark imperfections. 

Instead, embrace them and add a minor character to your result.

Most people will be tempted to erase some line. For this, it's recommendable to complete your continuous line drawing using an ink pen. 

Vary the line weight as required to show areas of shadow and light and indicate perspective.

Here Are a Few Rules for Continuous Line Drawing:

* The main goal of continuous line drawing portraits is to convey your subject with a single unbroken line. When you place your pen on a piece of paper and you are about to begin drawing, do not stop until you are done. It might be thinner and thicker in some areas, but you should not break the drawing should not be broken at any given time.

* As you draw, move the hand at the same speed rate in which you see the subject with the eyes. It's a great way to accurate shapes and proportions. However, perfection is hard to attain.

* You should avoid erasing anything. The imperfections are a show of the human element in art. Leave it as it is. Remember that humans are attracted to drawing from other humans.

* You should practice more. Do a few continuous lines drawing in one sitting. Make sure to try various types of tools. You'll be more confident and comfortable using a graphite pencil and not an ink pen with time.

How to Draw a Face with a Continuous Line.

The primary goal of a continuous line drawing is that it should be a single, unbroken line that you draw without pick up the pencil or pen. 

You will still draw the nose, mouth, eyes, ears, hair, and other features with that continuous line.

While drawing the face, pick a pen or pencil and a piece of paper. You are not limited; you can use your preferred drawing equipment for the job. 

The only thing you shouldn't do is to pick your pen off the drawing surface. However, you can peek at the paper to see how far you are. The main aim is to focus and pay more attention to the subject matter, not your drawing method.

What is a Continuous Line Drawing Called?

A continuous line drawing is known as a contour drawing. It's an artistic technique that artists use to sketch the outline of a subject. 

Here, it would be best to keep your pencil and pen in contact with your drawing paper for the whole period of your exercise. 

Keep in mind that the speed should match as it helps in improving observational skills. For children, they can focus and settle while drawing.

This art field is where amateurs start; they follow those visible edges of your subject's shape. 

Contours will describe the outline edges of the form and the dynamic changes within the form. 

Note that there is no shading for this kind of drawing. It takes about 5-10 minutes to complete the exercise.

Final Word

Though continuous line drawing doesn't call for perfections, it is advisable to repeat and practice more. It's the most incredible way to improve both your drawing skills and art.

Drawing is a great skill, and you must be consistent to make it work. Keep exercising the mind from time to time.

Continuous line drawing is an excellent exercise. It's time to do an art challenge; grab your sketchbook and your preferred drawing instrument to have some fun exercise.

Sources:

Continuous Line Drawing Exercise