Line

Line is... the path of a moving

point. It is a mark left by a tool brush, pencil, stick, pen, etc. Line defines the edges of shapes and forms. They don't exist naturally, artists have to decide where and how to place lines as they draw. Lines often suggest movement in a drawing or painting.

Characteristic of Line are: Width- thick, thin, tapering, uneven Length - long, short, continuous, broken Direction- horizontal, vertical, diagonal, curving, perpendicular, oblique, parallel, radial, zigzag Focussharp, blurry, fuzzy, choppy Feeling- sharp, jagged, graceful, smooth

Types of Line:
1. Outlines- Lines made by the edge of an object or its silhouette. 2. Contour Lines- Lines that describe the shape of an object and the interior detail. 3. Gesture Lines- Line that are energetic and catches the movement and gestures of an active figure. 4. Sketch Lines- Lines that captures the appearance of an object or impression of a place. 5. Calligraphic Lines- Greek word meaning beautiful writing. Precise, elegant handwriting or lettering done by hand. Also artwork that has flowing lines like an elegant handwriting. 6. Implied Line- Lines that are not actually drawn but created by a group of objects seen from a distance. The direction an object is pointing to, or the direction a person is looking at.

Drawing with Lines

Outline

Gesture Lines
Hatching
Crosshatching

Contour Line

Lines Create....
Depth
(Deep Space)

"Fishing Boat" by Emile Node, 1910, woodcut print, 12"x16", Nolde-Stiftung Seebull, Germany

Lines Create....
Form & Texture

"Urban Jewels" by Denyse Thomasos, 1995, Acrylic, 10'x16', Lennon, Weinberg, NY

Lines Create....
Illusion

"Stripe Song" by J. Seeley, 1981, Photo Sildscreen print, 22"x30", VAGA, NY

Lines Create....
Implied Line

Properties of Line
Direction
Horizontal lines symbolize rest and relaxation.

Horizontal

Properties of Line

Vertical
Vertical lines can stop eye movement They also equate to power and strength.

Properties of Line
Diagonal
Diagonal lines are dynamic and action-oriented.

"Road" by Rolland Golden, watercolor & acrylic, 30"X22"

LINE AS MOVEMENT

Measure
Short Fat Thick Thin Long
"Line No. 50" by Zdenek Sykora, 1988, Oil, 59"x59" Prague National Gallery

Long

Character
Shows emotional qualities

Shows emotional qualities

Lines allow you to quickly visualize an object or idea with a minimum of time and material.

Ben Shahn (Lithuanian) 1889-1968, Supermarket, serigraph in black,1957, 25 1/4 x 38 3/4"

Launima Nagatu, - Tapa Cloth, Mid-20th century,Tonga, South Pacific, 12'10"x 5'7"

Aubrey Beardsley, The Peacock Skirt, 1893 Pen And Ink Drawing

Songya People, (Democratic Republic of the Congo), 19th 20th centuries, kifwebe mask, wood and pigment, 20 in. high, Boston Museum of Fine Arts

Artist Unknown,Indonesian, Wall Plaque, 1996, wood and acrylic paint, Private Collection

Kenneth Snelson (American), Needle Tower, 1969, Wire and metal outdoor sculpture, 20 meters, NASA

Artist Unknown, (Panama) Kuna, Scorpion Mola, 1987 cloth, 19 x 12 "