Eye–hand interactions in tracing and drawing tasks

We report a preliminary analysis of the interactions between eye and hand during tracing and drawing of four simple shapes. Eye and hand movements were recorded using the ASL 504 system and the Flock of Birds system, respectively. During tracing, pen tip and eye were tightly coupled, with participants making a series of small saccades just in front of the moving pen, interspersed with periods of smooth pursuit. During drawing, saccades were fewer and larger and pursuit was less frequent. Observed eye–hand interactions suggested a bidirectional relationship between the eye and hand. These findings are explained in terms of the differing degree that the two tasks employ visual detail, external or internal cues and eye–hand coordination.