LINEElement of Art

LINE

In art the word LINE is used to describe long, thin marks, and there are many examples that fit this meaning.

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DESCRIPTIVE LINES are lines that help us understand what we are seeing. They include outlines, contour lines, single lines, and hatching.

IMPLIED LINES are lines that suggest an edge rather than clearly defining one. They occur where textures, colors, and values change at edges of shapes in artwork.

EXPRESSIVE LINES are lines that send us messages about what the artist wants his or her work to make us feel.

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What feeling do these lines convey?

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Write a list of words describing these lines.

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Pablo Picasso was adept with line. He could create an image with just a few strokes. How would you describe the lines he is using?

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The lines and shapes on this road map are symbols. Can you think of other instances in daily life where lines are understood to be symbols?

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E The most basic kind of descriptive line is an

OUTLINE. An outline is a line that surrounds a shape. only outer edges of the shapes are defined lines are usually the same thickness

throughout

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E CONTOUR lines also define the outer edges of

shapes. Unlike outlines, however, contour lines… vary in thickness and darkness give a greater sense of depth to the object

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E Why might an artist drawing a person’s

portrait choose to use contour line rather than outline?

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E STRAIGHT descriptive lines

horizontal, vertical, and diagonal can be a continuous line or a broken line such

as a dotted line.

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E CURVED descriptive lines

Free and random placement, spiral, wavy, scroll

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E ZIGZAG descriptive lines

Jagged and/or pointed

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INDIVIDUAL LINES can be used to describe letters, numbers or objects. often called CALLIGRAPHY

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G Some lines describe value through shading.

closely spaced, parallel lines are called HATCHING

hatching lines that cross, which make a more solid shadow, are called CROSSHATCHING

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Some lines are not seen, at least not in the usual way. They are IMPLIED LINES. Lines can be implied by edges, closure, and

lines of sight. An EDGE exists where one shape ends and

another begins.

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Lines are also used by artists to express feelings and ideas are called EXPRESSIVE LINES.

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Lines suggest movement & personality Horizontal:

calmness, peace, repose, quiet, stability

Vertical lines: rigid, strength, static, uprightness

Diagonal lines: tension, energy, striving, movement towards somewhere

Curved lines: gracefulness, relaxed, ease, comfort, flowing movement

Jagged lines: nervousness, awkwardness, aggressiveness or wildness

Hard dark: clearly defined, strength, precision, confidence

Soft blurred: delicate, sensitive, timid, weakness

Lines show variety LIN

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Varying Direction & Position:

Varying Texture:

Varying Degree of Curvature:

Varying Length:

VaryingWidth: