
Cross contour lines are drawn lines which travel, as the name suggests, across the form. Cross contours may be horizontal or vertical, as on the right side of the example, or both. Often, in more complex forms, cross-contours will be drawn at varying angles.
Why is it unlikely that two contour lines will cross?
It is unlikely that two contour lines will cross Because contour lines do not cross or intersect with each other also each elevation of land is different so the lines couldn't cross. Referring to your map of the volcano how does a contour map indicate key areas of steep or gentle gradient.
Why can contour lines never cross eachother?
Therefore, in one particular section of a map, there cannot be more than one contour line for a particular elevation. Thus contour lines will never intersect. However, if the slopes is steep, the lines will be close to each other and lines far away from each other would indicate a gentle slope.
What can we tell from contour lines?
Translatins contour lines
- Basin: moderate slope, camp spots
- Snow or ice line: dashed line ends on cliffs, rock
- Buttress: change in features of wall may provide approach to ridge
- Twin summits: which is higher?
- Gendarmes, aiguilles, or pinnacles
- Gully or couloir
- Saddle, pass, or col
- Rock face
- Summit: highest point on map
- Ridge or arete
Why do Countour lines never cross another contour lines?
Why do contours never intersect each other? Answer: Contour lines do not cross each other because of the variance in elevation between the lines. However, an instance where two contour lines intersect occurs when the elevations are simultaneously crossed at an identical point through a vertical ledge.

Why is cross contour line important in any drawing?
Cross contour uses line to map the curved surface of depicted forms in a drawing, but instead of dealing with the profile of the form, it moves within the outer boundaries and maps the surface facing the viewer.
Can you see cross contour lines?
The Concept of Cross Contour Lines Cross contour lines flow over the form of the object. A good way to understand this concept is to take your finger and move it slowly over the surface of an object, following a straight path. Watch your finger as you move it and try to imagine that it is leaving a line as it moves.
How do you draw cross contour lines in art?
1:573:32Cross Contour Lines - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you make your brush strokes in the direction of the cross contour lines it'll help the viewerMoreIf you make your brush strokes in the direction of the cross contour lines it'll help the viewer understand the form of your object. Now cross contour lines don't have to just go vertically.
What is an example of a contour line?
In cartography, a contour line (often just called a "contour") joins points of equal elevation (height) above a given level, such as mean sea level. A contour map is a map illustrated with contour lines, for example a topographic map, which thus shows valleys and hills, and the steepness or gentleness of slopes.
What's the difference between contour and cross-contour?
While contour lines describe edges, cross-contours describe form and volume. These lines can follow planes of form, moving around and across objects as well as through them. Think of a topographical map--the lines move across the terrain. Cross-contour lines do the same thing.
What are the 3 types of contour drawing?
There are several different types of contour line drawings:Blind Contour. 'Blind contour drawing' is when contour drawing is done without looking at the paper AT ALL. ... Continuous Line Contour. ... Modified Contour. ... cross-contour. ... YOUR ASSIGNMENTS:
What is a contour line in art?
A contour line defines the outline of a form, as well as interior structure, without the use of shading. A fundamental basis of drawing, contour lines are usually the first technique children adopt to draw people, houses, and trees.
What is contour in art?
contour drawing, version of outline drawing, in which the artist, looking closely at the contour of an object, transfers it in one continuous line to paper without looking down to see what he is doing, except when he needs to place an internal feature such as an eye.
What is the contour shading?
Contour shading is similar to hatching and cross-hatching. The difference is that the lines are curved to follow the contours of the subject. So these lines can be drawn horizontally, vertically and even diagonally.
How do you identify a contour line?
Other than the obvious trails and rivers, these squiggly lines are contour lines. Put simply, contour lines mark points of equal elevation on a map. If you trace the length of a line with your finger, each point you touch is the same height above sea level.
What are two uses of contour lines?
These contour lines are an important way of showing the rise and fall of the land on a map. Contour lines show all the places that are the same height above sea level. They also tell us about the slope of the land. On a steep slope, the lines are close together.
What is the use of contour?
Contouring is a technique for sculpting and adding dimension to your face by using makeup that is slightly darker or lighter than your actual skin color. Unlike everyday foundation and concealer, which we typically want to match our skin exactly, contouring is all about creating the effect of shadow and light.
What is blind contour in art?
Popularized by Kimon Nicolaïdes in his 1941 book The Natural Way to Draw: A Working Plan for Art Study, the blind contour method involves carefully observing the outline and shapes of a subject while slowly drawing its contours in a continuous line without looking at the paper.
What are the rules of a blind contour drawing?
Continuous blind contour line drawing has two rules. First, once your pencil is placed on the surface, you may not lift it again. Secondly, you may not look at the paper. In other words, you must try to move your pencil at the same speed as your eyes move over the surface of the contour lines of the object.
How do you draw a blind contour?
The rules of blind contour drawing are very simple: Once your pencil or pen is touching your paper, you must not lift it again until you've finished your drawing. You must not look down at your paper at any point until your drawing is complete.
What is a contour line in art?
A contour line defines the outline of a form, as well as interior structure, without the use of shading. A fundamental basis of drawing, contour lines are usually the first technique children adopt to draw people, houses, and trees.
Why are contour lines important?
Contour lines are critical to understanding the elevation profile of your terrain or a particular land formation.
What are the three types of contour lines?
There are 3 kinds of contour lines you’ll see on a map: intermediate, index, and supplementary. 1. Index lines are the thickest contour lines and are usually labeled with a number at one point along the line. This tells you the elevation above sea level. 2.
How high is the contour interval?
Example: The contour interval is 50 feet according to the map key. You want to find out the elevation of an intermediate line 3 lines above an index line labeled 1,000. For each line above this index line, elevation increases 50 feet. Therefore, the interval line in question is at 1,150 feet above sea level.
What are the squiggly lines on a hiking map?
Ever noticed those squiggly lines all over your hiking map? Other than the obvious trails and rivers, these squiggly lines are contour lines.
What is topography in geography?
Topography is the study of geographical features on a landscape. A map with contour lines on it is called a topographic map. Topographic maps use a combination of colors, shading and contour lines to represent changes in elevation and terrain shape. Essentially, topographic maps represent the three-dimensional landscape ...
What does a quick glance at a topographic map give you?
A quick glance at a topographic map will give you a general idea of the landscape. Is it flat or mountainous?
How to turn on topographic view on Google Maps?
Google Maps. You can turn their topographic view (complete with contour lines) by selecting the “Terrain” layer from the options menu.
What is contour line?
Contour lines are curved, straight or a mix of both lines which do not cross each other in a map. The reference for elevation indicated by contour lines is usually mean sea. The space between consecutive contour line determines the gradient of the surface that is being represented and is termed as the “interval”.
What does a contour line represent?
If the contour lines are spaced very closely then they represent and indicate steep slope. If the lines are spaced far apart then it represents a gentle slope. Streams and rivers in a valley are represented by a “v” or a “u” in a contour map.
What does the prefix "iso" mean in a contour line?
Contour lines are often typified with the prefix “iso” which means “equal’ in Greek, as per the type of variable being mapped. The prefix “iso” can be replaced with “isoallo” which specifies that the contour line joins points where a given variable change at the same rate over a given period of time. Although the term contour line is commonly used, specific names are often used in meteorology where there is a greater possibility of viewing maps with different variables at a given time. Equally spaces and evenly spaced lines, it indicates uniform slope.
Why is the line color of contour important?
Line Color of the Contour line color is varied in a map to distinguish it from the base map. Line color is also used to represent different set of numerical values as well.
How to tell if a slope is steep?
If you find a very steep slope in a map, you will notice that the contour lines converge into one “carrying” contour of contours. In this case last line sometimes has tick marks pointing toward low ground. Cliffs are also shown by contour lines very close together and, in few occurrences, touching each other or very closely placed.
Why do we need a contour map?
Be it the depth or the height of a landscape, a contour map can help to represent the topography of the area. The space between two lines and the spacing along the lines provides user with important information. Contour lines are curved, straight or a mix of both lines which do not cross each other in a map.
What is the term for lines indicating equality or similarity in qualitative or quantitative features?
In 1889 Francis Galton proposed the term “isogram” as a reference for lines indicating equality or similarity in qualitative or quantitative features. The terms “isogon”, “isoline” and “isarithm” are commonly used to describe contour lines. The term “isoclines” refers to a contour line that joins points with equal slope.
What are cross contours in comics?
These lines can also be expressive or come in the form of hatching to indicate shade and tone. Contour lines are also used in map making, though their purpose and appearance are entirely different from that of visual art.
Why do artists use cross contours?
There will always be an opportunity to perfect a drawing or work off your base sketch to create a 'real' drawing. Artists also use cross contours to suggest form. Cross contour lines are a bit like topography in a drawing; they highlight the dimensionality of the subject.
What is blind contour drawing?
' Blind contour drawing ' is done without looking at the paper. It sounds a bit absurd at first, but this is an excellent way to improve your hand-eye coordination. Rather than overthinking the line, an exercise in blind contour forces you to trust your hand and learn how to truly observe your subject.
What is a contour in art?
She wrote "The Everything Guide to Drawing.". our editorial process. Helen South. Updated May 15, 2019. A contour is a line which defines a form or edge. Essentially, it is the drawing of an outline of an object.
What is an outline drawing?
Essentially, it is the drawing of an outline of an object. It's very likely that you've been drawing contour lines all along because it is the simplest form of art. In the most basic form, an outline drawing is also called a pure contour.
