Cross-Contour Lines Exercise | Improve your cross-hatching & Ink drawing

[@sonimartin8809]

Mr. Dunn: I posted your videos on cross contour drawings for my students to watch in my figure drawing class (at Fayetteville State University in North Carolina) in an effort for them to see more volumetrically. For whatever reason, there was a group of students in the class who still did not see structure and volume before they arrived in my class. As much as I explained it, I could not see and indicate in the drawings "highlines" and surface projections. So, I just went back to basics for a couple of days! I had them watch your videos and practice cross contour drawings in class. They finally understood the benefits of seeing cross contours and it has had a huge impact on improving the way they now see planes, volume, and surface projections! *I just wanted you to know the impact it has had on the students and I appreciate that you posted the videos so they can be a resource in our classes at FSU!

[@alphonsodunn]

Thats awesome! Thank so much for sharing it with your students. 🙂🙏

[@andrewhaas5626]

This short lesson and demonstration just taught me a great deal. Like always you are really great!!!

[@chrisng3391]

This topic is really important. I used to wonder how to draw 3D. Your lesson here totally illustrate the essence of drawing in 3D. Really great stuff. Understand this open many doors to drawing anything correctly or realistically !!! Love your stuffs !!! :)

[@alphonsodunn]

Glad they help. Thanks much

[@kalyannou6941]

Hello Alphonso! I'm an 13 years old artist and I really find ur tutorial helping from my own experience I had already knew some of ur tips which are the same as what I had use and thought I'm looking forward for more! Thanks you

[@electro.7746]

I am currently completely stuck on cross contour hatching because nothing that i did looked quite right. This is why I watched dozens of videos for the past couple of hours but no one had a tip or exercise that seemed to help. Until you just said "ride the line". I don't know how i could possibly have missed this in all the exercises I did, but with that simple sentence you've just unlocked the ability to cross contour like 10 times better than before :D Thanks!!

[@alma-wi]

Imagine you were drawing a furry animal - say I cuddly bear. His fur grows in all directions and we like to stroke the fur how it grows. If this bear were on a reference photo you could do the same with your eyes - you stroke the fur with your eyes or imagine what it would feel like if your fingers did stroke the fur - and you will even feel the muscles underneath all of that fur, and this way you get a good feel for it. The same can be done, when there is no fur at all - just like the skin on this EAR. Immagine you feel the ear with your fingers and follow with your strokes. I don't know whether this has made sense, but it's how I do it, and find it helpful.

[@emilleum48]

Alphonso, I have been drawing all my life, but I am new to the correct forms of cross-hatching. This was so incredibly helpful, but I can see already that I will need to do a lot of practicing. I am military retired, and disabled from combat injuries, but I don't try to keep that from allowing me to try new things. I will definitely continue to follow you, MSG Leum

[@ludivinavillasana9166]

I have a high appreciation of your teaching. You have knowledge but you know how to pass it to others. Thanks for your generosity on shearing these videos.

[@athompsonian]

TFW when the giant ear statue comes in the picture O_o

[@hytrader3241]

bruuuh lool

[@LionofJudah7771]

Thanks SÓ much for your tutorials Alphonso! They're a lifesaver for a newbie like me. Great stuff! Really appreciate it.

[@GarrisonFall]

Thank you. I've been aware of 'following the form' in cross-hatching for years but never seemed to get it right. Your explanation of analysing the form has added another 'dimension' (no pun intended) to my understanding of the idea.

[@rooftopsignals7313]

the way you make thing seem so simple makes me smile thank you for the video :)

[@alphonsodunn]

very welcome my friend

[@musicinthematrix]

Amazing, watching lessons like yours always bring into my mind that "to be a good painter you need to be a good drawer" and I see that because some ways that your move your hand is pretty much the same way that I'm moving mine to do watercolor.

[@alphonsodunn]

I definitely believe drawing is a central visual art.

[@danielsevignydesignstudio]

Thank you Alphonso ! Very educational and informative.

[@katherinebeattie2596]

Love the way you teach, and it makes so much sense. Very detailed and clear. Much appreciated!

[@aymerichonore4552]

Dear Alphonso, I would like to thank you very much for all the great tips you give. I've been following you for 18 month i guess, tried to work upon all your tutos, bougthed your great book, and made a lot of improvement in my personnal approach of drawing and watercolor painting, i suppose. Looking foward for next step... Cheers, AH

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks so much! Your words mean alot and thanks so much for supporting my book! : )

[@TakomaChris]

Thank you so much for this - I’m a self trained artist and you really helped me think about form in an important way! You’re a good teacher!

[@CobusKrugerG]

Excellent video Alphonso! Your videos and book have opened art back open for me, even to the point of being able to sell pen and inc, as well as oil paintings. Thank you and be blessed to overflow.

[@gsdls]

Absolutely amazing things you call simple. Thank you

[@sreihart]

Just received your book today from amazon! Can't wait to dig into it, but I'm doing Inktober for the first time so it's taking up a lot of my time. Love that you can not only do the work, but you can TEACH the work! Very impressed.

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks much and thanks so much for supporting it! Remember to leave some feedback on amazon when you can

[@pipifoo1604]

Thank you thank you thank you. You are gold sir.

[@jamescheever7982]

Searching for good advanced contour inking n this comes the closest to good explaination every other video skirtas around the issue you keep it real! Have yet to see someone break down planning when the elipse curves flip ... very important to actually plan where the breaks happen on the human form or organic forms ... thinking i should do a video

[@d.s.5157]

You make a simple ear look cool.

[@genipoptopart7418]

Thank you! This is wonderful Alfonso!!!!

[@abacdse]

Great video and learnt more from this than the loads of others I have watched as they seem to concentrate on absolute perfect crosshatching without explaining anything about getting the drawing to really stand out. Also great as it was not speeded up so you could see exactly how to improve

[@debahutichatterjitalukder8240]

Great lesson for me! Thanks a ton Sir!

[@MalamikArt]

Finally someone is teaching this. I see ears every which way. Yours are perfect!

[@fragtall]

I think your book is the most helpful drawing tutorial ever!

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks so much! That means alot

[@bettysingleton1]

Thank you Alphonso! Your videos help me sooo much!. I loved the tips for keeping my skills fresh! You are very kind and helpful! 😊Betty

[@potatoeggplant3535]

I can't find the other cross contour video you refer to in the beginning. Could you supply the link in the description please?

[@maryannemalkine5860]

Thank you. Your method of teaching beautifully breaks down complexity.

[@alphonsodunn]

Glad it helps : )

[@SaintlyRyan]

You tutorials a great man. I just bought both of your books, really inspiring stuff.

[@paradise7564]

Thank you very much!! It was extremely helpful!!!

[@shadowseer07]

thank you again Alphonso, as always you explain things so weLL and give such practical and invaluable tips. I always feel like I learn the most from your vids.

[@alphonsodunn]

thanks. Just glad you learn much at all

[@ApexAlphaFoxtrot]

So easy to follow and see through the perspective Thank you

[@germainevideos7882]

THANK you so so so much Brother!🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿

[@krup9898]

Thank you Mr. Dunn!

[@HaggisVitae]

Wow, just beautiful. Could watch you draw for days! Very useful, thank you!

[@alphonsodunn]

Glad you find it useful : )

[@mohammednkhan7667]

So well explained!! Thank you, Alphonso! your book and Videos are keeping me busy!!

[@alphonsodunn]

: )

[@silviasunesen7649]

The complicated ear. Your explanation is perfect. Thanks again Alphonso

[@alphonsodunn]

I was afraid of drawing the ear for a lonnng time

[@harobikefan]

Thank you ! i can't wait for your book to arrive !

[@alphonsodunn]

: ) Thanks much for supporting it

[@nathanbayne3576]

definitely your best video, basic but perfectly explained

[@postplays]

Recently I've been doing an exercise where I study a spoon sitting on a table at different angles and perspectives. I take a sharpie and draw contour lines on the spoon so I can see the curves better then attempt to replicate. I think its a great exercise in practicing what you see.

[@evertvandenberghe]

Great example on curved surfaces: very useful! Tnx!

[@marcotronic]

Excellent video once again. Thanks a lot!

[@theponderingpilgrim4342]

Thanks Alphonso, for the great video. Appreciate your expert tuition

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks much 🙏

[@diannegodfrey6458]

This makes so much sense now, thank you

[@gypsieanne1]

Yes, the book is very good. Have been through mine twice.

[@alphonsodunn]

: )

[@SarahAndBoston]

Thanks! Great video.

[@alphonsodunn]

thanks

[@kyliebennett2494]

u genius alphonso....best ever ever examples......thats like 8 visual translations for my minds eye!! My imagination is now inspired that imagination is indeed light mmmmwwwaaahhhhhhh....brilliant! have the best day today bro

[@scottybrown5772]

Thank you so much,it really leveled me up

[@ensunderoath]

5:20 This is what I was thinking. Thank you. I want to use pencil first to guide me where the contour and shade will go.

[@jabbad2992]

thank you brother! I was just thinking about this today.

[@IB304]

Since my class started, out professor can’t “show” us how she would do it (she showed us examples but it wasn’t the same) Then I remembered ur videos so I can visually see how it’s done ☺️ thank you

[@mufeedco]

A wonderful book with wonderful videos. thank you :-)

[@alphonsodunn]

thanks much :)

[@mrvic9395]

All I got to say is I hear👂🏼 you. Great advice

[@charlottebech64]

Thank you so much for this helpful tutorial. I will try it out 😃

[@12barsoul]

Thank you for covering lines and shading in your videos... very helpful. Just purchased your book from Amazon and I'm looking forward to trying all of the exercises.

[@fillipepessoa9819]

Thank you ✨✨✨

[@BasilioPavluchok]

I love your drawing skills

[@Thibster]

Thank you so much!!!

[@alphonsodunn]

youre very welcome : )

[@diaspiano]

Omg I spilled my cofee all over when you brought that giant ear into the screen hahaha so funny, great stuff, great lesson too btw! Tks!

[@alphonsodunn]

Hahaha

[@andreazorzetto1897]

Thx Alphonso, big fan of yr work from Italy. Just bought yr book on Amazone, and like it. Thx for yr inspiring videos.

[@alphonsodunn]

thanks so much for supporting it : )

[@3mps]

Amazing video, exactly what I was looking for! (I'm Brazilian, bad english)

[@wattscreates1977]

Nice sea shell!

[@carancho96]

+Alphonso Dunn we need a kindle version of your book!!! I live across the world and I need it now, can´t wait. Thank you for all the tutorials about ink drawing they helped me a lot to keep on drawing

[@alphonsodunn]

+carancho96 so glad I can help. I am working on it dont worry : )

[@josykeully637]

Thank you 😊

[@savestheday258]

Contour/cross contour shading is an essential skill for hand engravers. Similar to pen and ink. If you haven't Alphonso check out of of the hand engraving artists out there, Sam Alfano does some amazing ornamental engraving and ornamental shading is very similar and fun. And bulino engraving is practically photo realistic and all cut and engraved with tiny niks and dots. It's really amazing stuff. Fracassi engraving is another to check out their work is absolutely world class 👌

[@ramonandramon]

What a master..

[@fernandomatielobueno8716]

Nice insight, i kinda already knew it but not quite understood it. Great content.

[@alphonsodunn]

thanks

[@richardkeller3852]

That was very helpful. You explained it so well that even I can understand it. ;)

[@alphonsodunn]

haha

[@darkHevn]

This is surprisingly very important.

[@ItsRadagast]

Great video! I have been following you for some time and I love your content! My line drawing skill has gone up 110% from watching the videos and reading your book. I wanted to ask, could you show us how to render effects with pen and ink? This like water, fire, explosions, etc? That would be amazing! Either way love the new vid! Have a great day!

[@AnLe-yg9ln]

Thank you

[@grunntalll]

beautifully taught..

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks so much

[@Hub_lub]

I always struggeld with cross-contour lines! Thans for uploading man.

[@alphonsodunn]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/p37SYnZrbbCMp7c But the link pops up at the top of the video

[@Hub_lub]

Alphonso Dunn Thanks!

[@pmdci]

Great exercise! Thanks Alphonso! By the way where is the link for the previous video?

[@williamjoyner3759]

I own that book!! Thanks.

[@alphonsodunn]

🙏🙏🙏

[@MaidKnightNoelle]

Notif squad where you at? Also, thanks for more tips BTW

[@alphonsodunn]

haha

[@mubarak-abdullah-8771]

😊❤️👍Thanks sir

[@roelrocha5059]

very helpful thank u

[@nooralhamed9493]

This is really helpful

[@alphonsodunn]

🙂 glad it did

[@chiragdhiman7231]

Sir can you do a tutorial on grass. how you illustrate it in different directions and sizes ... I'm making a wall of grass ... but not getting good results ... hope its clear what i want :P

[@lechacaldu77]

Chirag Dhiman I approve that comment^^

[@mkpoop]

Did you get what you want

[@maracuja55]

terrific !

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks

[@sikawatthanaviratananich496]

Thanks

[@jirathanyaporn3611]

very good! 😀

[@AlexRivera-gy6fb]

greatly useful! :)

[@jonataleite]

Olá! Muito obrigado pelas dicas! Desenho desde pequeno. Sempre gostei de hashuras. Sou do Brasil, Rio de Janeiro. Embora faça há muito tempo hashuras, há pouco que estou encontrando mais instruções a respeito. Queria aprender mais sobre a técnica como nos desenhos das notas de dinheiro. Já vi uma árvore feita desta maneira. Você tem algo a respeito desta técnica?

[@judelynbedro9379]

Thanks to this video, I finally found my real talent. 😊

[@alphonsodunn]

🙂🙂🙂👍

[@shawnshepherd1172]

Love your work and tut's, thank's alot... any chance you have a video on like a kitten's face or could you do one...would really like to see your perseption, again thank's alot

[@silpidraw6919]

thank you friend always good tricks :)

[@rwang101]

Hi, I have been following you for years. Really love your teaching. Do you have a step by step course that is designed for beginners? I would really like to take a systematic approach to make sure that I laid a great foundation for it. Thanks!

[@alphonsodunn]

Thats exactly what my next book is about

[@PurpleSoma]

Alphonso i love you so much! You are always so helpful!!! c: im going to buy your book in these days! Im excited :D

[@alphonsodunn]

: ) thanks so much! The pleasure is all mine

[@adamboutcher4964]

I'm looking forward to your book arriving have you any tips on how to shade camouflage on military uniforms

[@alphonsodunn]

that will be an upcoming video

[@bun5977]

your tutorials are so helpful, have you ever considered doing ones on contour drawing? Or interior design drawing? I am getting strong with my figures but when i try and do the environment I always end up flopping, any advice?

[@xonarofficial]

Thanks man!! Keep it up! Your book is awesome by the way! (Are you planning on doing some more landscape tutorials? I am able to make one point perspective urban landscapes, but 2 point perspective landscapes always look like it has a bit 'fish eye' kind of effect)

[@alphonsodunn]

those are coming. Thats why I did the perspective videos to kind of lay the foundation : )

[@ralphanderson2604]

When wil book 2 be available?

[@franzdelasieste6914]

What Alphonso says at 7:55 reminds me of surfing

[@alphonsodunn]

+Jestyr draws : )

[@sophiaivanov4374]

than you man . keep sharing with us :)

[@Kate-vd3hl]

Leave it to alphonso to have a giant model ear lmao. keep up the good work, love your content

[@alphonsodunn]

lol thanks