Line“A line is a dot that went for a walk.”

-Paul Klee

In art, line is a path left by a point moving across a surface

Types of lines Structural lines Outlines Contour lines Gesture lines Sketch lines Calligraphy lines

Structural Lines

Lines that hold a design together. They vary in physical characteristics; they can be thin and delicate or bold and thick.

Outlines

The line made by the edge of an object.

Contour Lines

Describes the shape of an object and includes interior detail like a coloring book outline.

Pablo PicassoContour Drawing of Igor Stravinsky

Drawn upside down

This is a blind contour drawing. These drawings are created by drawing a subject (person, still life, object, etc…) without looking at the paper. These drawings can be loose and fun, as long as you understand that they are not meant to be perfect or look realistic.

Gesture Line

Also known as movement lines, gesture lines emphasize direction and fluidity. A gesture drawing is meant to capture the essence of the subject being drawn.

Salvador DaliSketch of a man on a horse

Sketch LinesProvide more detail than outlines, contour lines or gesture lines. They can be drawn very quickly but have a finished appearance. They Can make an object seem more 3-dimnsional. Sketch lines are used to gather information.

Calligraphy Lines

From two Greek words meaning “beautiful writing”, calligraphy is precise, elegant handwriting or lettering done by hand. These lines vary in thickness and thiness.

TurkeyTughra of Sultan Suleyman

Gu Mei

Orchids and Rocks, 1644

Ink on Paper

27 x 170.8cm

Line PersonalityThe general characteristics of a line. These are varied to convey specific emotions or feelings. The two basic characteristics of a line are its direction and movement and the quality or weight. The direction of a line can be vertical, horizontal or diagonal.

Vertical lines

Lines that go up and down. These lines express height, strength, order and spirituality.

The strong vertical columns hold up the structure of the Parthenon in Athens, Greece even after hundreds of years have passed…

Order

Look at how tall this Gothic cathedral is. Where do your eyes go?

Horizontal lines

Lines that are parallel to the horizon. (Get it horizon = horizontal)

Horizon

Horizontal lines suggest a feeling of rest or repose, because things that are parallel to earth are at rest in relation to gravity.

What are some things you can think of that are at rest when they are horizontal?

People Sleeping…

The ocean. Just thing about how water is when it is not horizontal…

Diagonal lines

Lines that may slant in any direction. Since they are unstable in relation to gravity, these lines suggest motion, because they are either about to fall, or are already in motion.

As is the case for these dancers…

…And these dancers

… And these runners

Curved Lines

Curved lines express movement, just as diagonal lines do, but the movement is fluid and smooth and not jerky or tense the way digonal lines can be.

Vincent Van GoghStarry Night, 1889Oil on canvas

Line QualityThe quality of a line gives it its personality; an artist may use broken or jagged lines to convey fear or irritation. Nervous quick strokes can heighten the sense of tension or drama. Fuzzy blurred lines might suggest a dreamy or mysterious mood.

How would you describe the line quality in this work?

Edvard MunchThe Scream

What kinds of lines are used to Convey a sense of fear in thisPainting?

Compare these two portraits. How does the use of line affect the overall mood of the paintings? How are the lines different?

Implied lines

Lines that you cannot see, they are suggested

Like this dotted line. It doesn’t actually connect, but our eyes read it as a line.

Where is the implied line here? Where do you eyes go?

Andrew WyethChristina’s World

In this painting of The Last Supper, The focal point is clear, Christ. But why do our eyes go to him? What implied lines lead our eyes to him?

Lines as texture and patternArtists will often use a series of lines to create texture or. pattern

Albrecht DurerYoung Hare

The finely drawn lines in this painting capture the softness of the coat of the Rabbit. (p.26 in your books)

Textile Patterns