Structural Lines
Lines that hold a design together. They vary in physical characteristics; they can be thin and delicate or bold and thick.
Contour Lines
Describes the shape of an object and includes interior detail like a coloring book outline.
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.
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.
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…
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?
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.
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.
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.
Compare these two portraits. How does the use of line affect the overall mood of the paintings? How are the lines different?
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?
Albrecht DurerYoung Hare
The finely drawn lines in this painting capture the softness of the coat of the Rabbit. (p.26 in your books)