Line

A basic element, but essential

Definition

Line - a mark made by a moving point

“taking a dot for a walk”

Two connected points

Narrow elongated mark

Can you think of other definitions?

Movement

One of the Principles of Art and Design

A way to guide the viewers eye through a piece of artwork

Use elements to create a “path”

Line Characteristics

Direction

Type

Style

Line Direction

Orientation of the line

Horizontal

Vertical

Diagonal (The most visually powerful)

Line Type

The form a line takes:

straight

curvy

zig-zag

Line Style

“Artsy” variations of a line

dotted

dashed

double line

extra thick or super thin

Line used in artworks

Piet Mondrian

Alexander Calder

Wassily Kandinsky

Where is the movement in this picture?

How do these lines make you feel?

How do these lines make you feel?

How do these lines make you feel?

Student Art using line

Line Drawings

Contour Drawings

a single line drawing that defines any surface edges

think coloring books...

Contour Drawing “Rules”

Use one line to draw everything

You cannot lift your pencil

No detail or shading, just lines!

Examples of contour drawings

Contour Drawings

Blind Contour Drawing

you are not allowed to look at your paper until you are done with the drawing

Modified Contour Drawing

you look back and forth from paper to subject continuously as you draw

Blind Contours

Modified Contours

Cross Contour Drawings

• Contour drawings that show the form of an object as well as it’s shape.

• If a surface curves toward you, you draw it’s cross contoured curved. If it is flat, like a cube, straight lines are used.

• You can pick up your pencil when drawing cross contours.

Cross Contours - objective