Art Talk 2005 by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill

The Element of Line

What is Line?

•Line - element of art

that is the path of a moving point through space.

•Line leads the viewers’ eye through the artwork.

•How is line used in this art piece?

Yvonne Jacquette. Town of Skowhegan, Maine V. 1988. Oil on canvas

Artists create lines on paper with a pencil or with a stick in wet clay.

Line can be found

in nature, too.

In these examples it is easy to identify line because length is the most important dimension.

Draw the lines you see.

What edges and lines do you see?

Draw the edges and lines needed to create a line drawing of this dogwood blossom.

Does your drawing look something like this?

Implied line was used to create a sense of movement.

How many sets of nine shapes can you find that create implied lines?

Abrasha. Hanukkah Menorah. 1995. Fabricated stainless steel, silver, and gold.

Curved

Change direction gradually

Kinds of Lines

Vertical

Straight up & down

Horizontal

Parallel to horizon

Diagonals

slant

Zigzag

Combo of diagonals

Line VariationLength

Width

Texture

Direction

Degree of curve

Additional Lines

Reginald Neal

Square of Three — Yellow and Black, 1964.

“OP” Art - Optical Illusions

Appear to move

Confusing to look at

May make you feel dizzy

Optical Illusions in Art by Alexander Sturgis

Line Direction

Grey spots seem to appear where the white lines cross.

Look Close

Add Color

Expressive Qualities

Contour Line Project

1. Use continuous line to draw your face. (newsprint 9X12)

Include all details Wrinkles, frown lines, scars

2. Have art approved to choose best.3. Scribble on back.4. Arrange on white paper (9X12)5. Transfer face by tracing

Bleed off edges.

Hand continued – 100 pt.

1. Opt 1 Complete a contour line self-portrait using sharpie marker and colored pencils. Create an emphasis (focal point) by changing width, length and/or direction of the lines.

o You should think about details you want to stand out over other areas.

o Use expressive lines behind or in and around face and hair

2. Opt 2 Complete art by using sharpie, color pencils and create an emphasis by changing size, thickness and style of text.

o You should think about details you want to stand out over other areas.

o Add text: Using either words that describe you or a poem.

Student Artwork

Alicja Chrena

Grade 12, Continuous Line.

Evaluation & VA Standards

Evaluation Equal value

• Craftsmanship, creativity, effort & directions

Standards Artistic Perception

• 1.1 Use principles to analyze & write about visual aspects of student’s art

Creative Expression• 2.1 Solve a visual art problem with effective use

of elements and principles.

Composition Book

Collect examples of images from magazines demonstrating the various lines, glue into your composition books and label:

Kinds of Line: Vertical, Horizontal, Zigzag, Diagonal & Curved

Line Variations: Length, Width, Direction, Texture, Degree of Curve