Comments on: 25 Days to Better Drawings – Day Six – Cross Contour Lines

By: Mary A. Jackson

Mary A. Jackson — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:14:45 +0000

Hi Matt,
I’m enjoying the course. All of the comments and questions are very helpful. I mostly do each lesson twice. The second one is always better … not near perfect. I guess that will come in time. I am excited to hear that these techniques will also transfer into other art.

By: Rayyan Anwer

Rayyan Anwer — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 21:10:46 +0000

I already use cross contour lines in drawing, so this was easy.

By: Sheila Thomas

Sheila Thomas — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 17:59:34 +0000

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?

By: Heidi Bailey

Heidi Bailey — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 23:37:03 +0000

Very cool. I can see the 3-dimensions appearing in the object. Thanks!

By: Lillie Starr

Lillie Starr — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 07:49:05 +0000

This one broke my brain hahaha

By: Tania Tyler

Tania Tyler — Sun, 24 Mar 2024 13:02:06 +0000

In reply to matt. Thank you Matt!

By: matt

matt — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 14:44:15 +0000

In reply to Tania Tyler.

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.

By: Tania Tyler

Tania Tyler — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 21:51:53 +0000

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.

By: Marianne Post

Marianne Post — Sat, 09 Mar 2024 16:19:24 +0000

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.

By: Annalie Wesson

Annalie Wesson — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 20:28:36 +0000

Hi Matt

Just a short note to express my appreciation for this course. I am enjoying it thoroughly.

Annalie