Line Mr. Knutson

Bell Activity Look around the room and write down all of the different lines that you see.

Line Lines exist everywhere One uses lines to: Write words Write numbers Create symbols Draw pictures Create art

Line Definition: Line is an element of art that is the path of a moving point through space.

(larger image on next slide) How Artists Use Line To lead the viewer’s eye through a work of art. When one sees a line the eyes usually follow it. Grant Wood. The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere. 1931. Oil on Masonite. 30 x 40” (larger image on next slide)

Line Has width as well as length Width is usually very small compared to length. Generally thought of as being one-dimensional. It’s one dimension is length

Dimension Dimension is the amount of space an object takes up in one direction. One dimensional: Objects that have either length or width, but not both. Two dimensional: Objects that have height and width (i.e. a painting). Three dimensional: Objects that have height, width, and depth (i.e. a sculpture).

Lines are Everywhere Many different lines exist in nature They look like lines because their length is their most important dimension

Some Lines That We Think We See in Nature Do Not Exist Black lines around this flower do not exist. The shapes of the pedals create an implied line.

Implied Line A series of points that the viewer’s eyes automatically connect. Lines that are suggested rather than real lines

A line that shows or creates the outer edges of a shape Outline A line that shows or creates the outer edges of a shape

Kinds of Lines Vertical Horizontal Diagonal Curved Zigzag

Vertical Lines Move straight up and down Do not lean

Horizontal Lines Parallel to the horizon Do not slant

Diagonal Lines Diagonal Lines Slant. Somewhere between vertical and horizontal lines.

Zigzag Lines Made from diagonal lines Form angles Change directions suddenly

Curved Lines Change direction gradually. Wiggly Circles Spirals

Line Variation Length: Can be short or long Width: Can be thick or thin Texture: Can be rough or smooth Direction: Can move in any direction Degree of Curve: Gradual or not at all Wavy Spiral

Line and Value Value: Describes the lightness or darkness of a color. Hatching: Technique of using lines for shading. Cross-Hatching: Technique of using crossed lines for shading.

Hendrick Goltzius' The Massacre of the Innocent

Claude Mellan's portrait of Michel de Marolles

Line Movement Vertical Lines Makes objects look taller Vertical lines on wallpaper can make ceilings look taller Vertical lines on clothing can make shorter people look taller and heavy people look thinner

Line Movement Vertical Lines Static or Inactive (appear to be at rest) Express stability Artists use vertical lines to show: Dignity Poise Stiffness formality

Edward Hopper. Early Sunday Morning. 1930. Oil on Canvas. 35x60”

Line Movement Horizontal Lines Also Static Artists use horizontal lines to express feelings of: Peace Rest Quiet Stability Horizontal lines give a feeling of permanence or solidarity Because we stand on solid horizontal ground, horizontal lines make us feel Content Relaxed Calm

Line Movement Curved lines Express activity (because they change direction) Type and direction of curve dictates the amount of activity expressed. Less curve = more calm Spirals are hypnotic – they draw the eye to the center http://www.funtaf.com/funpages/spiral2.gif

Line Movement Curved lines often used in decorative arts to suggest a feeling of luxury. Albert Raymond Paley. Portal Gates. 1974. Forged steel, brass, copper. 920 x 72 x 4”

Line Movement Diagonal Lines Express: Instability Tension Activity Excitement Can at times make viewer feel uncomfortable Appear to be either rising or falling

Thomas Hart Benton. Country Dance. Oil on canvas. 30 x 25”

The exception… When two diagonals meet and seem to support one another, the appear stable.

Line Movement Zigzag Lines Create confusion Extremely active Evoke feelings of: Excitement Nervousness

Line Movement Zigzag Lines Amount of intensity determined by direction and predictability of the zigzag

Gesture Drawing A gesture is an expressive movement. Purpose is to capture the feeling of motion Little detail Quickly drawn

Calligraphic Drawing Calligraphy means beautiful handwriting Often associated with oriental artwork Same brushstrokes used in writing are used in Chinese and Japanese painting Characterized by changes in thickness of lines

Gu Mei. Orchids and Rocks. 1644. Ming dynasty. Detail of handscroll Gu Mei. Orchids and Rocks. 1644. Ming dynasty. Detail of handscroll. Ink on paper. 10-5/8 x 67-1/4”

Contour Drawing Defines edges or surface ridges of an object. Developed form by form (detail by detail) Show (represent) form by the use of line Subtle, overlapping planes

References http://0.tqn.com/d/arthistory/1/0/i/f/pa_neh_05.jpg http://www.jonathans.me.uk/pod/tree_roots.jpg http://fineartamerica.com/images-medium/spider-web-cora-marshall.jpg http://www.t0.or.at/spiral23/spiral1.gif http://www-cs.engr.ccny.cuny.edu/~wolberg/projects/engraving/goltzius.jpg http://www.target.com/ http://www.ourfixerupper.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/white_picket_fence.JPG http://hippie.nu/~unicorn/tut/img/basics/humananatomy/gestures.jpeg http://schools.lwsd.org/LWHS/users/staff/Wyatt/Beg_Drawing/Line/Contour_Line_vs_outline.jpg